Ghost Town
Greentea Peng Lyrics


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Earbuds
Maverick
Seng Seng Family

London Bridge is fallin′ down
All my mates walkin' ′round with frowns
Can't seem to make no sense of all this rain
With your rules and regulations, why you so stiff?
I don't want nothing that seems too different
Stuck between your lines and all your lies

But you can′t take my city from me
But you can′t take my city from me
But you can't take my city from me
But you can′t take my city from me

Try numbin' me with them frequencies
It′s real sick, I lean
Distracted by these screams, I agree
Ignorance is bliss, yeah, it's beautiful
As long as we alignin′, actin' suitable
This life shit is achievable
'Cause all that matters′s what you look like
No need to think twice, no more
Anything you need, can buy it from a store
Nine ninety-nine for a pause

But you can′t take my city from me
Nah, you can't take my city from me
Nah, you can′t take my city from me
Nah, you can't take my city from me

Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah

Heavy on my mind, every single day
Trying to take the vibe of my city away
Heavy on my mind, every single day
Trying to take the vibe of my city away
Heavy on my mind, every single day
Trying to take the vibe of my city away
Heavy on my mind, every single day

But please don′t take my city from me
Nah, you can't take my city from me
Nah, you can′t take my city from me




Nah, you can't take my city from me
Can't take my city from me

Overall Meaning

The song "Ghost Town" by Greentea Peng, is a call to arms of sorts, against the gentrification and homogenization of London, the city she was born and raised in. The lyrics highlight the struggle of trying to navigate a city that is changing so rapidly that it no longer feels like "home". The opening lyrics "London Bridge is fallin' down, all my mates walkin' round with frowns" sets the stage for a melancholic lament.


Peng singles out the impact that technology and consumerism are having on the city's population. The city is becoming bland, and the people living in it are becoming numb to its transformations. She refers to the distractions that the city offers - a life lived inside a filter. The chorus, "But you can't take my city from me" is a defiant response to all the changes in London, that are suppressing her sense of belonging.


The lyrics aside, "Ghost Town" stands out as a song that marries elements of jazz and neo-soul with lyrics that nod to the ongoing struggle and disillusionment that residents have with the city's machinations. It's a deeply personal and introspective song about the feeling of being lost within one's own community. It’s a reminder to cherish the things that make a place unique, while rebuking the efforts to transform it into something unrecognizable.


Line by Line Meaning

London Bridge is fallin' down
The city is deteriorating and experiencing a decline in its vitality and liveliness.


All my mates walkin' 'round with frowns
The people around me are unhappy and dissatisfied with the current state of affairs in the city.


Can't seem to make no sense of all this rain
I don't understand why there is so much sadness and misery in the city, or why it seems to be raining all the time.


With your rules and regulations, why you so stiff?
I don't understand why there are so many strict rules and regulations in the city, making it a difficult and stiff place to live in.


I don't want nothing that seems too different
I prefer things that are familiar and consistent, and I don't want anything that is too strange or unfamiliar to me.


Stuck between your lines and all your lies
I feel trapped and constrained by the societal norms and expectations imposed upon me by the city, which are often deceptive and misleading.


But you can't take my city from me
Regardless of the challenges and struggles the city is facing, it still remains my home and a place of significance to me.


Try numbin' me with them frequencies
The city tries to numb and distract me with its constant noise and stimulation.


It's real sick, I lean
The constant bombardment of sensory stimuli makes me feel physically and mentally unwell.


Distracted by these screams, I agree
The constant noise and chatter of the city's inhabitants make it difficult to focus, and I find myself agreeing with things without much thought.


Ignorance is bliss, yeah, it's beautiful
Sometimes it's easier to be ignorant about the problems and challenges the city faces, and instead focus on its aesthetic beauty.


As long as we alignin', actin' suitable
In the city, conformity is valued over individuality, and it's important to behave in a way that aligns with society's expectations.


This life shit is achievable
The idea of living a successful life in the city is attainable, but it requires a lot of hard work and conformity to societal norms.


'Cause all that matters's what you look like
In the city, appearance and image are more important than substance and character.


No need to think twice, no more
In the city, there is no time or space for contemplation or reflection; everything must be done quickly and efficiently.


Anything you need, can buy it from a store
In the city, consumerism is prevalent, and you can buy anything you need or want from a store.


Nine ninety-nine for a pause
Even moments of rest or relaxation must be purchased in the city, and come at a cost.


Heavy on my mind, every single day
The difficulties and challenges of living in the city weigh heavily on my mind and cause me stress.


Trying to take the vibe of my city away
There are external forces that are threatening to change the essence and character of the city, that make it less unique and special.


But please don't take my city from me
My connection and love for the city runs deep, and I hope that it will remain a part of my life for years to come.


Can't take my city from me
Regardless of the challenges it may face, the city will always be an integral part of who I am and what I stand for.




Writer(s): Michael Stafford, Malik Venna, Jaega Francis Mckenna-gordon, Anish Bhatt, Rory J. Nelson, Aria Rachel Adrienne Wells, Tagara Mhizha

Contributed by Lily A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Fernanda Nuñez

Earbuds
Maverick
Seng Seng Family

[Verse 1]
London Bridge is fallin' down
All my mates walkin' 'round with frowns
Can't seem to make no sense of all this rain
With your rules and regulations, why you so stiff?
I don't want nothing that seems too different
Stuck between your lines and all your lies

[Chorus]
But you can't take my city from me
But you can't take my city from me
But you can't take my city from me
But you can't take my city from me

[Verse 2]
Try numbin' me with them frequencies
It's real sick, I lean
Distracted by these screams, I agree
Ignorance is bliss, yeah, it's beautiful
As long as we alignin', actin' suitable
This life shit is achievable
'Cause all that matters's what you look like
Don't need to think twice, no more
Anything you need, can buy it from a store
Nine ninety-nine for a pause


[Chorus]
But you can't take my city from me
Nah, you can't take my city from me
Nah, you can't take my city from me
Nah, you can't take my city from me

[Bridge]
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Heavy on my mind, every single day
Trying to take the vibe of my city away
Heavy on my mind, every single day
Trying to take the vibe of my city away
Heavy on my mind, every single day
Trying to take the vibe of my city away
Heavy on my mind, every single day
Trying to take the vibe of my city away

[Chorus]
But please don't take my city from me
Nah, you can't take my city from me
Nah, you can't take my city from me
Nah, you can't take my city from me



Cali Mango

Refreshing, new, soulful and inspiring. Thank you Greentea Peng ❤

Edit: just heard the ending. Gotta say, I feel this hard in Oakland right now. It's crazy to think that I will not be able to afford a home in the city that raised me. And it's crazy seeing the new high rises shooting up while the Tent Cities are shuffled around and swept under the rug. The place that I used to go and see my Black and Latino street uncles are now overrun with little pop up shops catering to people who ignore me when I say good morning, people who call the police because my mother was 'driving while black,' people who pull from the communiry and fund their own.

I still love Oakland, although it's changed.


'Loss of Soul, Character, and Roots.'

BOOM. That part.



Rennan Bernini

Greentea Peng, I feel your energy from anywhere! Love you! :D ♥
We have the same situation here in Brazil. So, I can say that these kind of politics just serves the high society.


I didn't really know this was happening around. And your music and videoclip

brought me this new point of view.
I'm locked in my room cuz the COVID19 still taking people lives here in Brazil and all over the world.
Only God and Love can save us.


We don't want to, and even less do we need things like that.

So, I just ask you to continue doind this! I will be enjoying and sharing your work (Brazil).


Peace my Sister,
Rennan Bernini.



All comments from YouTube:

Hamza Ahmed

Cant wait till you come to Manchester 🔥 Didn't cop tickets before they sold out so I'll be stood outside Soup Kitchen with love and support on the road 😂

Inês Ferreira

It's been a long time a music made sense in a exact period of my life. This is it. Got that feeling back. Thank you ✊🏽

lee follentine

Same! Enjoy it

MARYANNE269

Yess!!

samarth tyagi

yes we all have great taste in music

Jose Carlos

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍💕

Max Inglish

❤️

anita john

🔥yessirr

Afrodisac Serenity

Asé

Maya Kenebrew

we really do

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