Freddie Scott (April 24, 1933 - June 4, 2007) was a solo artist who began h… Read Full Bio ↴Freddie Scott (April 24, 1933 - June 4, 2007) was a solo artist who began his career as a songwriter for Colpix Records, along with Carole King and Gerry Goffin.

Scott recorded the chart-topping hit "Hey, Girl" and went on to chart a string of other Billboard Hot 100 singles between 1963 and 1971. His 1968 effort "(You) Got What I Need" was sampled for the 1989 Biz Markie hit, "Just a Friend". It was also sampled for Ghostface Killah's "Save Me Dear" in 2004.

Scott later hit the oldies circuit, and then released two new albums in the 1990s, one in 2001, and one in 2004. He also was a contributor to Van Morrison's "Vanthology" album released in 2003.

On Broadway
Freddie Scott 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 have enough to eat
The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere

They say the women treat you fine

On Broadway
But lookin' at them just gives me the blues
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 get wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar

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

On Broadway
On Broadway

Overall Meaning

The song "On Broadway" by Freddie Scott is a poignant commentary on the harsh realities of life on the famous street. Scott describes how the neon lights and magical atmosphere that supposedly pervade Broadway are entirely lost on someone who is down on their luck and hungry. The glitz and glamour of the street quickly wear away to reveal a bleak and lonely existence for those who don't have enough to survive. The women and the music might be great, but the poverty and desperation outweigh all the good by far. The chorus of the song becomes an anthem of perseverance; Scott won't quit until he becomes a star, hopeful that he can rise above the difficult conditions and emerge victorious.

Line by Line Meaning

They say the neon lights are bright
People claim that the neon lights on Broadway are bright and flickering.

On Broadway
song repetition - continuing on the theme of Broadway.

They say there's always magic in the air
According to people, Broadway always has an aura of enchantment.

But when you're walkin' down that street
However, as you stroll on that street

And you ain't have enough to eat
and you don't have enough to eat,

The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
the shimmering glamour of Broadway fades away, and you become destitute.

They say the women treat you fine
People often say that the women on the street are courteous.

But lookin' at them just gives me the blues
But when observed closely, it can lead to sadness or despair.

How ya gonna make some time
How will you manage to spend some relaxing time?

When all you got is one thin dime
When all you possess is one ten cent coin,

And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
which cannot even provide sufficient shine to refurbish your footwear.