In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Hayes became famous as a recording artist in his own right, scoring with critically and commercially successful albums such as Hot Buttered Soul and Black Moses. Hayes is best known today for composing the score to the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft. That film's "Theme from Shaft" was one of the best-selling singles in Stax Records history, and Hayes became the first African-American to win an Oscar for a non-acting category when "Theme from Shaft" won the 1972 Academy Award for Best Song.
Isaac Hayes may be known to today's youngest generation as the voice of the character "Chef", the ladies' man/school cook, on the animated sitcom South Park from 1997 until his resignation from the show in March 2006. While Hayes' departure was tagged to a controversial South Park episode on Scientology that had supposedly offended him, Hayes rarely declared anything about the departure in first person.
Summer in the City
Isaac Hayes Lyrics
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Back of my neck getting dirt and gritty
Been down, isn't it a pity
Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city
All around people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk hotter than a match head
But at night it's a different world
Come on, come on and dance all night
Despite the heat it will be alright
And babe, don't you know it's a pity
The days can't be like the night
In the summer in the city
In the summer in the city
Cool town, evening in the city
Dressed so fine and looking so pritty
Cool cat lookin for a kitty
Gonna look in every corner of the city
Till I'm weezin like a bus stop
Running up the stairs gonna meet ya on the roof top
But at night it's a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come on, come on lets dance all night
Despite the heat it will be alright
And babe, don't you know it's a pity
The days can't be like the night
In the summer in the city
In the summer in the city
Solo
But at night it's a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come on, come on lets dance all night
Despite the heatit will be alright
And babe don't you know it's a pity
The days can't be like the night
In the summer in the city
In the summer in the city
Hot town summer in the city
Isaac Hayes's song "Summer in the City" portrays the contrasting experiences of day and night in a bustling city during the summer season. The lyrics describe the discomfort of the hot daytime, where the city's sidewalks are scorching hot and people appear worn out and lethargic. The line "Back of my neck getting dirt and gritty" suggests a sense of discomfort and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the city's hustle and bustle. However, the song also emphasizes that despite the sweltering heat, the city takes on a different atmosphere at night.
The lyrics suggest that once the sun sets, the city transforms into a vibrant and lively place. The singer urges his companion, "Come on and find a girl" and encourages them to dance the night away. The nighttime becomes a respite from the heat of the day, allowing for a different kind of enjoyment and connection with others. The lyrics imply that the nights in the city offer a certain freedom and excitement that is not experienced during the day.
Overall, "Summer in the City" captures the dual nature of city life in the summertime – the stifling heat and exhaustion during the day, contrasted with the vibrant and exhilarating energy that emerges after dark. It celebrates the respite the night brings, where people can come together, dance, and find temporary escape from the oppressive heat of the day.
Line by Line Meaning
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Steve Boone, John Benson Sebastian, Mark Douglas Sebastian
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind