Mother City
Ginger Lyrics


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Well, I recognized every street that I'd seen in the movies
I spent 24 hours on my feet, just walking around
And my heart never beat so fast in all the years I'd been waiting

Because heaven only knows, I never felt so close
I was 6 years old when I saw Spiderman
Crouched down on a garbage can
New York City, she's my rock n roll
And she won't take back a cent I owe
A mom and dad to this restless soul
You made me second to none
New York, the mother, adopts another wandering son

I was the only kid in school to find his own education
The kind The Dolls, Ramones and Kiss laid down
So I'll wipe that tear and watch the dust start clearing on West St.

Because heaven only know, I never felt so close
I was 9 years old when they shot James Caan
Over by the toll-booth stand

New York City, she's my rock n roll
And she won't take back a cent I owe
A mom and dad to this restless soul
You made me second to none
New York, the mother, adopts another wandering son

Darling, you mean more to me that I thought you'd be
Hey darling, you're the guts I need to turn off TV

36 years old when they tried to beat you down
Who do they think that they're messing around?

New York City, she's my rock n roll
And she won't take back a cent I owe
A mom and dad to this restless soul




You made me second to none
New York, the mother, adopts another wandering son

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ginger's song "Mother City" are a tribute to New York City, which the artist deeply admires. Ginger recalls his childhood memories of movies and music that shaped him into the artist he is today. The song speaks of the deep connection he feels to the city, which he describes as his "rock n roll." Ginger expresses his gratitude for the iconic city that raised him like a mother and made him the person he is today.


Ginger starts the song by describing how he recognizes every street in New York from his childhood movies. He then sings about how he walks around the city for twenty-four hours, feeling the thrill of finally being in the city that he always dreamed of. The artist declares his love for the city and his amazement at how close he finally feels to his dream. Ginger's reminiscence about his youth fills his lyrics with a nostalgic aura, and he specifically recalls when he saw Spiderman at merely 6 years old.


Ginger's love for New York comes from his deep understanding of rock n roll, which he learned from bands like The Dolls, Ramones, and Kiss. Nevertheless, the city did not only influence his art; it shaped him and developed his personality. The artist describes how New York is his "mom and dad" and how it "adopts another wandering son." By doing so, Ginger shows his deep gratitude for the city that made him "second to none."


Line by Line Meaning

Well, I recognized every street that I'd seen in the movies
I felt a connection to every street I knew from films, and it was thrilling to see them in person.


I spent 24 hours on my feet, just walking around
I was so eager to explore the city that I spent a whole day walking nonstop.


And my heart never beat so fast in all the years I'd been waiting
My excitement was so intense that I had never felt my heart pounding so hard before.


Because heaven only knows, I never felt so close
I felt a profound sense of closeness to the city in that moment, as if it were a part of me.


I was 6 years old when I saw Spiderman Crouched down on a garbage can
As a child, I was enamored with the superhero I saw perched on a trash can in the city streets.


New York City, she's my rock n roll And she won't take back a cent I owe A mom and dad to this restless soul You made me second to none New York, the mother, adopts another wandering son
New York City is like a parent figure to me, shaping who I am and always accepting me as one of its own.


I was the only kid in school to find his own education The kind The Dolls, Ramones and Kiss laid down
Rather than learn from traditional textbooks, I gained my education from the influential music that originated in New York City.


So I'll wipe that tear and watch the dust start clearing on West St.
Despite any hardships or challenges, I'll persevere and watch the city's streets begin to clear and move forward.


I was 9 years old when they shot James Caan Over by the toll-booth stand
As a young boy, I witnessed a violent act in the city and it left a lasting impression on me.


Darling, you mean more to me that I thought you'd be Hey darling, you're the guts I need to turn off TV
In a figurative sense, New York City is my companion and motivator to experience life rather than passively watch it on TV.


36 years old when they tried to beat you down Who do they think that they're messing around?
As an adult, I stand up for the city and can't tolerate anyone disrespecting or harming it.




Contributed by Evan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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