Shame
Gino Vannelli Lyrics

The city's burning with desire
The city is filled with people who are in a state of intense craving and longing.

High-heeled chicks turnin' tricks in a trance
Women dressed in high heels are selling their bodies in a hypnotic state.

Pin-stripe zombies on fire
Men in suits are like mindless creatures who are driven by a burning desire.

Sayin' hey baby, here's a dime for a dance
Men are paying women to dance, seeking relief from their desolation and emptiness.

(out on the street) I see innocent faces in the rain
Amidst the chaos and desire, there are still innocent people standing helplessly in the rain.

(out on the street) I see make-up runnin' down from tears of pain Down the drain
I see women's makeup melting away as they cry tears of pain which disappear down the drain.

Shame Now mama tell it like it is
The situation is a disgraceful one, and the singer urges his mother to reveal the truth.

It's a shame For what papa did
It's a shameful thing for what the father has done.

It's a shame Your sister should've told you so
It's a pity that the singer's sister did not warn the subject of the song about the situation she now finds herself in.

It's a shame 'cause nobody wants to know
It's shameful that no one wants to acknowledge or help the subject of the song.

The neon moon turns red around midnight
As the night deepens, the neon lights take on a reddish hue.

Junior junkies and runaway girls
Young drug addicts and girls who have run away from home are on the streets.

Blue eyed babies posing in the headlights
Young and vulnerable children are being exploited and exposed to danger.

Another stray cat in a dog eat dog world
Another person who is lost and forgotten in a ruthless and competitive world.

(out on the street) Ain't no room for no cheap talkin' prayer
There is no place on the streets for empty promises and words that offer no help.

(out on the street) You don't know what it's like 'till you're there And you're runnin' scared
You cannot understand the experience unless you have been there yourself, and the fear it instills in you.

C'mon man let her go
The singer urges any man who is holding onto the subject of the song to let her leave this miserable situation.

So young Yet so old
The subject of the song is still young, but is already burdened with the weight of experience and trauma.

So hard to find a friend
It is difficult for the subject of the song to find a true friend who will help her escape this situation.

She lives from lover to lover 'till there's nothing left of her
The subject of the song is going from one relationship to another, but none of them are good for her and they are slowly destroying her.

Yeah sweet daddy scores again
The men who take advantage of the subject of the song are virtually getting away with their actions scot-free.

Shame on the school Shame on the teacher
Those who should have been in charge of protecting the subject of the song, haven't; and should be ashamed of themselves.

Shame on those sticky little fingers all over that helpless creature
People who have used and abused the subject of the song are disgusting and shameful.

Shame on the parish Shame on the preacher From where he stands that man don't have half a chance to reach her
Those who should have been leading members of society have been too weak to help the subject of the song, which is shameful.

Shame shame shame On me and you
The fact that this situation was allowed to exist is the fault of everyone in society, not just those directly involved.

Now what are we goin' to do
The singer implores people to take action and do something to help those who are being victimized in similar ways.