Summer in the City
Joe Cocker Lyrics


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Hot town summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty 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
Go out and find a girl 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 pretty
Cool cat lookin' for a kitty
Gonna look in every corner of the city
Ill I'm wheezing 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 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
Hot town summer in the city

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Summer in the City" by Joe Cocker is a depiction of the summer season in the city. The song starts with the opening lyrics "Hot town, summer in the city, back of my neck getting dirty and gritty" which sets the stage for the entire song. The singer is commenting on how the city is hotter than ever before and how uncomfortable it is to be outside during the day. The line "Been down, isn't it a pity, doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city" gives a sense of sadness that comes with the summer but despite that, the singer then encourages everyone to go out at night and have a good time.


The second verse portrays the city in the evening while also introducing the theme of love. The line "Cool cat looking for a kitty, gonna look in every corner of the city" is an attempt to find love in the city. Although, the theme of love in the song is subtle, the singer still encourages everyone to "go out and find a girl" and "come on lets dance all night, despite the heat it will be alright."


Overall, the lyrics of "Summer in the City" by Joe Cocker capture the essence of a hot summer season in the city and also encourages people to make the most of their summer nights.


Line by Line Meaning

Hot town summer in the city
It's hot and humid in the city during summer.


Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
The heat and dirt in the city is making me feel uncomfortable.


Been down, isn't it a pity
I have been feeling low lately, it's unfortunate.


Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city
The sun is shining bright and there aren't many places to find shade in the city.


All around people looking half dead
The extreme heat is making people look and feel exhausted and drained.


Walking on the sidewalk hotter than a match head
The concrete sidewalk is so hot that it feels like walking on burning coals.


But at night it's a different world
The city looks and feels different at night.


Go out and find a girl come on,
Let's go out and have fun by finding someone to dance with.


Come on and dance all night
Let's dance and enjoy the night to the fullest.


Despite the heat it will be alright
Even though it's hot, we'll still have fun and everything will be okay.


And babe, don't you know it's a pity
It's sad that daytime can't be as lively and fun as nighttime.


The days can't be like the night
Daytime can't replicate the energy and excitement of nighttime.


In the summer in the city in the summer in the city
The city feels different and exciting during the summer season.


Cool town, evening in the city
The temperature has cooled down in the evening and the city looks more relaxed and peaceful.


Dressed so fine and looking so pretty
People have dressed up nicely and look attractive.


Cool cat lookin' for a kitty
Someone who is cool and stylish is looking for a partner.


Gonna look in every corner of the city
They will search every nook and cranny of the city to find a partner.


Ill I'm wheezing like a bus stop
The heat is making them feel sick and they are panting heavily like a person waiting at a bus stop.


Running up the stairs gonna meet ya on the roof top
They are so excited to meet their partner that they are running to the rooftop to rendezvous.


Solo but at night it's a different world
Even when alone, the city looks and feels different at night.


Come on lets dance all night
Let's dance and enjoy the night to the fullest, even without a partner.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Steve Boone, John Benson Sebastian, Mark Douglas Sebastian

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Lusine Azaryan

Hot town summer in the city
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

Refrain:
But at night it’s a different world
Go out and find a girl
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 pretty
Cool cat looking for a kitty
Gonna look in every corner of the city
Till I’m weezing like a bus stop
Running up the stairs gonna meet ya on the roof top

Refrain:
But at night it’s a different world
Go out and find a girl
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

Solo.

But at night it’s a different world
Go out and find a girl
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

Summer in the city
Hot town summer in the city...(to fade)



NikiLaokratia

Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty 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
Go out and find a girl
Come-on come-on and dance all night
Despite the heat it'll be alright

And babe, don't you know it's a pity
That the days can't be like the nights
In the summer, in the city
In the summer, in the city

Cool town, evening in the city
Dressing so fine and looking so pretty
Cool cat, looking for a kitty
Gonna look in every corner of the city
Till I'm wheezing like a bus stop
Running up the stairs, gonna meet you on the rooftop

But at night it's a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come-on come-on and dance all night
Despite the heat it'll be alright

And babe, don't you know it's a pity
That the days can't be like the nights
In the summer, in the city
In the summer, in the city



All comments from YouTube:

Anna Anna

This song is even more epic when it's summer and you're driving home from work... Priceless.

Larry Bill

Hello Anna how are you doing!!

martti mattila

You got it, I was 43 y. and just bought twenty year old Volvo 144, while driving home this game out from Volvos radio. I never forget.

Lucy's Eyes

Driving by car through a hot and crowded city in the summer, listening to this song?!
A perfect match.💎
Nothing else.

Lucy's Eyes

@martti mattila
I'm with you.
Love old Volvo cars.
The older, the better.😊

Jerome Productions

yup

3 More Replies...

Sara Richmond

When I first heard Joe as a kid, I was blown sideways. One of the greatest voices of all time.

Beate Ertel

🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

Anahoreta Ambiverta

I love his work. Great artist. Rest in peace, legend...

Larry Bill

Hello dear how are you doing!!

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