Naked City
Imani Coppola Lyrics


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Thursday came,
I was tired of the Fire Engines,
tired of the Taxi Cabs,
tired of the elevators,
tired of the door-man smiling,
when I know he wants to,
kick off his shoes and jump around like a fire cracker.
From the sidewalk
Trains about to pass
It smells like,
hot open steaming ass.
I gotta get out.
Gotta get the hell out.
I gotta get out.
Get the hell out.

Ran through the streets.
Threw off my clothes,
onto the ground.
Laughed as we danced around.
One with the city.
Drank from the fountains.
Swam through the pavement.

Nice to see you shine again.
Good to know you've got a friend.

I built a campfire in my in my 14309,
West 17th Street apartment complex.
Marshmallows roasted by a candlestick,
quick, get the water,
it's gettin' out of hand, yo.
Little glowing constellations,
on my ceiling, everywhere.
House plants covering,
our naked butts are bare.
Grab the kitten,
'cos the critters getting bored.
I'm gonna pick a big fat booger for the Lord.

Ran through the streets.
Threw off my clothes,
onto the ground.
Laughed as we danced around.
One with the city.
Drank from the fountains.
Swam through the pavement.
Suddenly I looked around.

Nice to see you shine again.
Good to know you've got a friend.

Ran through the streets.
Threw off my clothes,
onto the ground.
Laughed as we danced around.
One with the city.
Drank from the fountains.
Swam through the pavement.
Suddenly I looked around.

Nice to see you shine again.
Good to know you've got a friend.




Nice to see you shine again.
Good to know you've got a friend.

Overall Meaning

The song "Naked City" by Imani Coppola is a playful and rebellious commentary on the monotony and conformity of city life. The opening lyrics express the singer's exhaustion and frustration with the societal norms and expectations of her environment. She is fed up with the contrived smiles and hollow pleasantries of the people around her. The use of the phrase "hot open steaming ass" paints a vivid picture of the uncomfortable and oppressive atmosphere.


The chorus is a mantra of sorts, as the singer declares her need to escape the city and its confines. The verses describe an impulsive and carefree rebellion against these norms. She sheds her clothes, dances and runs through the streets, drinks from public fountains and even builds a campfire in her apartment. The theme of freedom is reinforced through the imagery of "little glowing constellations" and "naked butts." The song ends on a note of camaraderie and support, as the singer acknowledges the importance of friendship and connection.


Overall, "Naked City" is a refreshing and relatable take on the mundanity and oppression of modern life. The singer's irreverent attitude and imaginative visuals evoke a sense of possibility and excitement, even in the face of routine and restriction.


Line by Line Meaning

Thursday came,
The day came, and I was feeling fed up with the city.


I was tired of the Fire Engines,
I couldn't stand hearing the constant sirens of fire trucks.


tired of the Taxi Cabs,
I was sick of sharing the road with the busy taxis.


tired of the elevators,
I was done with being cramped in elevators with strangers.


tired of the door-man smiling,
I found the doorman's fake smile irritating.


when I know he wants to,
I was aware that the doorman really wanted to let loose.


kick off his shoes and jump around like a fire cracker.
He would love to kick off his shoes and dance wildly.


From the sidewalk
Standing on the street corner


Trains about to pass
A train was coming down the tracks


It smells like,
The scent of the city was overpowering


hot open steaming ass.
It smelled strongly of unpleasant body odor.


I gotta get out.
I had to get away from the city's stench and bustle.


Gotta get the hell out.
I had to escape the city at all costs.


Ran through the streets.
I sprinted through the city.


Threw off my clothes,
I stripped off my clothes.


onto the ground.
I threw them on the pavement.


Laughed as we danced around.
I laughed and danced around naked with my friends.


One with the city.
I felt in tune with the energy of the city around me.


Drank from the fountains.
I drank from public fountains in the city.


Swam through the pavement.
It felt like I was swimming through the ground.


Nice to see you shine again.
It's good to see you happy and enjoying yourself again.


Good to know you've got a friend.
It's comforting to know that you have someone who cares about you.


I built a campfire in my in my 14309,
I created a makeshift campfire inside my apartment.


West 17th Street apartment complex.
A specific address for the apartment building.


Marshmallows roasted by a candlestick,
I used a candle to toast marshmallows.


quick, get the water,
I had to grab water to put out the fire.


it's gettin' out of hand, yo.
The fire was becoming too big and dangerous.


Little glowing constellations,
There were tiny glowing stars in my apartment.


on my ceiling, everywhere.
The stars were scattered across the ceiling.


House plants covering,
Plants covered the floor of my apartment.


our naked butts are bare.
We were all naked and exposed.


Grab the kitten,
I had to rescue a kitten from a boring situation.


'cos the critters getting bored.
The kitten was becoming restless and agitated.


I'm gonna pick a big fat booger for the Lord.
I'm going to do something silly and foolish for no reason.


Suddenly I looked around.
All of a sudden, I became aware of my surroundings.




Contributed by Anna J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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