On Broadway
Jazz At The Movies Band Lyrics
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On Broadway
They say there's always magic in the air
But when you're walkin' down that street
And you ain't have enough to eat
The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
They say the women treat you fine
But lookin' at them just gives me the blues
How ya gonna make some time
When all you got is one thin dime
And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
They say that I won't last too long
On Broadway
I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home they all say
But they get wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar
I won't quit till I'm a star
On Broadway
On Broadway
On Broadway
The song "On Broadway" by The Jazz At The Movies Band is a tribute to the famous Broadway street in New York City, where dreams come true for some and are shattered for others. The opening lyrics "they say the neon lights are bright on Broadway, they say there's always magic in the air" paint a scene of a bustling street full of excitement and possibilities. However, the following lyrics delve into the harsh reality of what it's really like to walk down Broadway. The singer laments about not having enough to eat and how the glitter of the street rubs off when you're struggling to survive.
The song continues to discuss the women of Broadway and how even though they treat you fine, looking at them just gives the singer the blues. It's hard to make time for anything when all you have is one thin dime and it won't even shine your shoes. Despite the struggles that come with Broadway, the singer is determined to make it and prove everyone wrong. They know that they can make it as a star if they don't quit, singing "I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway."
Overall, "On Broadway" tells a story about chasing dreams, overcoming adversity, and striving for success in the face of hardship. It's a song that can resonate with anyone who has ever pursued something with everything they have and refused to give up in the face of failure.
Line by Line Meaning
They say the neon lights are bright
People talk about how vibrant the lights are on Broadway
On Broadway
A reference to the famous theater district in New York City
They say there's always magic in the air
There's a belief that there is an enchanting aura surrounding this place
But when you're walkin' down that street
When you take a stroll down that famous avenue
And you ain't have enough to eat
If you're poor and can't afford to buy food
The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
The illusion of grandeur vanishes and you're left with a sense of bleakness and hopelessness
They say the women treat you fine
It's believed that women are kind and generous to you on Broadway
But lookin' at them just gives me the blues
However, just seeing them makes me feel sad and depressed
How ya gonna make some time
How can you afford to spend some leisure time
When all you got is one thin dime
When all you have is a meager amount of money
And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
That money won't even cover the cost of polishing your shoes
They say that I won't last too long
People are predicting that I won't have success for very long
I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home they all say
They think I'll give up and head back home by taking the Greyhound bus
But they get wrong, I know they are
However, they're mistaken because I have confidence in myself
'Cause I can play this here guitar
Because I'm skilled at playing the guitar
I won't quit till I'm a star
I won't give up until I achieve fame and success
On Broadway
Again, referencing the famous theater district in New York City
On Broadway
Reiterating the previous line
On Broadway
Ending the song with the title, showcasing the singer's aspirations to perform and make it big in the famous theater district
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL, JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind