The current incarnation of the band includes Jones, lead vocalist Kelly Hansen, bass guitarist Jeff Pilson and multi-instrumentalist Tom Gimbel.
With ten multi-platinum albums and sixteen Top 30 hits, Foreigner is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now exceeding 75 million. Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including Juke Box Hero, Feels Like The First Time, Urgent, Head Games, Say You Will, Cold as Ice, Hot Blooded, and the worldwide #1 hit, I Want To Know What Love Is, Foreigner continues to rock the charts more than thirty years into the game.
Growing Up The Hard Way
Foreigner Lyrics
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He's just made that way, and he's gonna stay that way
Like a dog on the loose in a firework display in a world of his own
No, no, no, he won't back down or go running back home
He's come a long way in life
He's got a long way to go
He don't even know, he don't care because
In and out of trouble every day
Growing up the hard way
Now no tellin' where you'll end up, boy
And he's got nothing to say, like he's lost for the worlds, his mind is in a daze
That's his way, it's just a little game he plays
He's got nowhere to run while the city sleeps he wanders alone
Cuttin' through the steel and the hearts of stone
He's come a long way in life
He's got a long way to go
He don't even know, but he don't care because
He's growing up the hard way
In and out of trouble every day
Growing up the hard way
You'd better walk the straight and narrow
Growing up the hard way
In and out of trouble every day
Growing up the hard way
Never know what you're in for, boy
He's come a long way in life
He's got a long way to go
He don't wanna know, and he don't care because
He's growing up the hard way
In and out of trouble every day
He's growing up the hard way
Yeah, and he's gonna stay that way
You see, he's growing up the hard way
Walk the straight and narrow yeah, maybe someday
But still he's growing up the hard way
It's just the way he's grown up
Yeah, growing up the hard way
There ain't no other way
Growing up the hard way
The lyrics of Foreigner's song "Growing Up The Hard Way" tell the story of a young man who seems lost and disconnected from the world around him. He is described as having "nothing to say" and "no excuse" for his behavior, implying that he is either apathetic or unwilling to communicate with others. The line "he's just made that way, and he's gonna stay that way" suggests that he is set in his ways and resistant to change.
The singer compares the young man to a dog on the loose in a firework display, emphasizing his lack of direction and purpose. He is described as being "in and out of trouble every day," suggesting that he is involved in criminal activities or constantly getting into conflicts. Despite his struggles, the young man is determined to stay true to himself and not back down from his rough and tumble lifestyle.
Overall, "Growing Up The Hard Way" is a gritty tale of a young man's struggle to find his place in the world. It portrays a world in which survival often requires tough, uncompromising behavior, and critics have praised its realism and raw honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
He's got nothing to say, he's got no excuse
He lacks justification and words to explain his behaviour.
He's just made that way, and he's gonna stay that way
His personality is fixed and unlikely to change.
Like a dog on the loose in a firework display in a world of his own
He is lost and unfocused in his own world.
No, no, no, he won't back down or go running back home
He won't surrender or retreat to safety.
He's come a long way in life
He has experienced a lot in his past.
He's got a long way to go
He has a lot more to experience in his future.
He don't even know, he don't care because
He lacks awareness and concern for his actions and consequences.
He's growing up the hard way
He is learning through difficult life experiences.
In and out of trouble every day
He is constantly facing difficulties and challenges.
Now no tellin' where you'll end up, boy
The future is uncertain and unpredictable for him.
And he's got nothing to say, like he's lost for the worlds, his mind is in a daze
He is unable to articulate his thoughts and feels mentally confused.
That's his way, it's just a little game he plays
His behaviour is a deliberate choice and a game to him.
He's got nowhere to run while the city sleeps he wanders alone
He is isolated and without escape in the night.
Cuttin' through the steel and the hearts of stone
He is penetrating the tough exterior of others and the environment.
You'd better walk the straight and narrow
Others must follow a moral and upright path.
Never know what you're in for, boy
The future is full of uncertainty and danger.
He don't wanna know, and he don't care because
He is in denial and indifferent towards the consequences of his actions.
Yeah, and he's gonna stay that way
His fixed personality is not going to change.
You see, he's growing up the hard way
He is learning from difficult and challenging life experiences.
Walk the straight and narrow yeah, maybe someday
One can choose the path of righteousness and goodness at any time in life.
It's just the way he's grown up
His difficult and challenging life experiences have shaped him into who he is.
There ain't no other way
There are no alternatives or easy paths in life.
Growing up the hard way
The experience of growing up and maturing through difficult life experiences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU GRAMM, MICK JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind