Inner City Blues
Joe Cocker Lyrics


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Dah, dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Rockets, moon shots
Spend it on the have nots
Money, we make it
Fore we see it you take it
Oh, make you wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
This ain't livin', this ain't livin'
No, no baby, this ain't livin'
No, no, no
Inflation no chance
To increase finance
Bills pile up sky high
Send that boy off to die
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
Dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Hang ups, let downs
Bad breaks, set backs
Natural fact is
I can't pay my taxes
Oh, make me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Yea, it makes me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Crime is increasing
Trigger happy policing
Panic is spreading
God know where we're heading
Oh, make me wanna holler
They don't understand
Dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah

Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we're wrong




Who are they to judge us
Simply cause we wear our hair long

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Joe Cocker's song "Inner City Blues" reflect the harsh realities of life for African Americans in urban areas during the 1960s and 1970s. The opening lines refer to the race to space, with rockets and moon shots being launched while the have-nots struggle to make ends meet. The lyrics go on to describe the everyday struggles of poverty, where people work hard to earn money, only to have it taken away by taxes and inflation. The frustration of not being able to keep up with bills that pile up sky-high is palpable in the singer's voice, and he sings about feeling like he is constantly being set back in life.


The lines "Make me wanna holler" and "This ain't livin', this ain't livin'" convey a sense of hopelessness and despair. The song also touches on the issue of police brutality, with the line "Trigger happy policing," and the panic that is spreading in society. The chorus, "Inner City Blues," serves as a metaphor for the poverty, crime, and social unrest that were prevalent in many urban areas at the time.


Overall, the lyrics to "Inner City Blues" are a powerful commentary on the state of American society during the 1960s and 1970s, and the struggles faced by African Americans in particular.


Line by Line Meaning

Dah, dah, dah, dah
Refrain/interlude


Rockets, moon shots
Government spending on space programs


Spend it on the have nots
Government should be spending on those in need


Money, we make it
People earn money through work


Fore we see it you take it
Government taxes a portion of earned income


Oh, make you wanna holler
Injustice and frustration


The way they do my life
The system works against the individual


This ain't livin', this ain't livin'
Life is not fulfilling


No, no baby, this ain't livin'
Life is not pleasant


Inflation no chance
Inflation makes it harder to keep up financially


To increase finance
Difficult to earn more money


Bills pile up sky high
Expenses are accumulating


Send that boy off to die
The government sends young people to war


Hang ups, let downs
Disappointments and setbacks


Bad breaks, set backs
Unfair situations and difficulties


Natural fact is
The truth is


I can't pay my taxes
Difficulties in meeting financial obligations


Oh, make me wanna holler
Frustration and disappointment


And throw up both my hands
In exasperation and resignation


Crime is increasing
Crime rates are going up


Trigger happy policing
Police violence and brutality


Panic is spreading
Fear and anxiety are increasing


God know where we're heading
Uncertainty and lack of direction


They don't understand
Others cannot comprehend the struggles one faces


Mother, mother
Appeal to a parent figure


Everybody thinks we're wrong
Society does not support us


Who are they to judge us
Questioning the authority of those who criticize us


Simply cause we wear our hair long
Being judged for one's appearance




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES NYX, MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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