On Broadway
Frankie Valli feat. The Jersey Boys Lyrics


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They say the neon lights are bright on broadway
They say there's always magic in the air
But when you're walkin' down that street
And you ain't had enough to eat
The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere

They say the women treat you fine on Broadway
But looking at them just gives me the blues
'Cause how ya gonna make some time
When all you got is one thin dime
And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes

They say that I won't last too long on Broadway
I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home, they all say
But they're dead wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar
And I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway





I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway

Overall Meaning

The song "On Broadway" by Frankie Valli feat. The Jersey Boys is a poignant commentary on the glamorous and exciting world of Broadway, juxtaposed with the harsh realities faced by those trying to make their mark in the music industry. The song begins by acknowledging the allure of the neon lights and magic that surrounds Broadway, but as the lyrics unfold, we are confronted with the harsh reality of the struggle to make it in show business. The glitter, once so enchanting, is seen to wear off and leave the struggling artists feeling alone and forgotten. The women treated so well are now a source of heartache, as the singer laments his inability to afford the cost of their attention. All he has is one thin dime, and that's not enough to even shine his shoes. Despite the odds, the singer has true grit and determination, fueled by his love of music and his unwavering desire to succeed. The final declaration, "I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway," is a triumphant rallying cry for anyone who's ever dared to dream.


Line by Line Meaning

They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway
The city is well-lit and bright, full of energy and captivating nightlife.


They say there's always magic in the air
Broadway is a place where people find hope, dreams and a ray of light in their life.


But when you're walkin' down that street And you ain't had enough to eat The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
Despite the razzmatazz and excitement, the harsh life on the streets quickly wears you down if you don't have enough money to feed yourself, leaving you feeling destitute.


They say the women treat you fine on Broadway But looking at them just gives me the blues 'Cause how ya gonna make some time When all you got is one thin dime And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
While there may be attractive women on Broadway, the artist is feeling despondent since he can't afford to entertain them or even look the part, causing him to feel like a failure.


They say that I won't last too long on Broadway I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home, they all say But they're dead wrong, I know they are 'Cause I can play this here guitar And I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway
Despite the naysayers, the artist is confident in his abilities and determined to make it big by playing his guitar, refusing to give up until he achieves success on Broadway.


I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway
The singer is resolute in his goal to become a famous performer on Broadway, refusing to give up until he's achieved his dream.




Contributed by Austin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Maricarmen López

Como me encanta esa música, me trae tantos recuerdos, es como volver a vivir 💗

GirlofNicky

Frankie is still going strong. I remember that jacket. I saw it in a video from a televised performance he did in the 1980’s. ❤️

Broadway Wiz

I love Jersey Boys!

Pamela Ann Fuller

Love the choreography!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bradford Post

My wife and I saw this show in Atlantic City when it was there. Great show. I would definitly see it again.

Victor López Ore

EXCELENTES, MUY BUENA PRESENTACIÓN...TENGO 75 AÑOS , LES DOY MI VISTO BUENO..SOY UN GRAN ADMIRADOR DE JERSEY BOYS DESDE MUY JOVEN.

steve anderson

It’s like a high school production where the teacher’s son gets to play Frankie.

Robnation

Wow... these girls rock.

Train Crazy

😆😆😅🤣

cora li

Forever classic band

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