In the City
Joe Walsh (James Gang) Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Somewhere out there on that horizon
Out beyond the neon lights
I know there must be somethin' better
But there's nowhere else in sight

It's survival in the city
When you live from day to day
City streets don't have much pity
When you're down, that's where you'll stay
In the city, oh, oh.
In the city

I was born here in the city
With my back against the wall
Nothing grows, and life ain't very pretty
No one's there to catch you when you fall
Somewhere out on that horizon
Faraway from the neon sky
I know there must be somethin' better

And I can't stay another night




In the city, oh, oh.
In the city

Overall Meaning

The song "In The City" by Joe Walsh is a reflection on the struggle of surviving in the city. The lyrics describe a feeling of being trapped and longing for something better, a brighter future that is just out of reach. The opening lines of the song set the tone, with Walsh singing about looking out at the horizon and feeling a sense of hopelessness. The bright lights of the city might be tempting, but there is a sense that the real opportunities lie elsewhere.


Walsh's lyrics touch on the harsh realities of life in the city, where people have to fight to survive day after day. The lines "City streets don't have much pity, when you're down, that's where you'll stay" capture the essence of what it's like for those struggling to make ends meet. Walsh also talks about his personal experience of growing up in the city, where life is tough and there is no one to lean on. There is a sense of frustration and despair in the lyrics, but also a longing to escape to something better.


Overall, "In The City" is a powerful statement about the challenges of urban life, and the search for something better beyond the bright lights of the city.


Line by Line Meaning

Somewhere out there on that horizon
Joe Walsh sees a better life faraway in the distance


Out beyond the neon lights
He notices it is far away from the city life


I know there must be somethin' better
Joe Walsh is sure that life outside of the city will be better


But there's nowhere else in sight
Joe Walsh cannot currently see his way out of the city


It's survival in the city
Living in the city is all about being able to survive


When you live from day to day
The day-to-day life in the city is all about survival


City streets don't have much pity
Life in the city is cold and tough


When you're down, that's where you'll stay
When struggling or unfortunate, it can seem impossible to get ahead in the city


In the city, oh, oh.
The song reiterates that this is all taking place in the city


I was born here in the city
Joe Walsh has never been able to imagine life outside of the city, he was born and raised there


With my back against the wall
Joe Walsh has faced numerous difficulties and tough situations while living in the city


Nothing grows, and life ain't very pretty
The city is not beautiful and does not offer many opportunities


No one's there to catch you when you fall
Joe Walsh knows that making a mistake or being vulnerable in the city often leads to being left behind without any support


Somewhere out on that horizon
Joe Walsh envisions a better life away from the city


Faraway from the neon sky
The life he imagines is far from the brightness and artificial lights of the city


And I can't stay another night
Joe Walsh knows that he must leave the city if he wants to improve his life


In the city, oh, oh.
The song concludes with repeating the theme that the story being told is taking place within the city




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Spirit Music Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY DE VORZON, JOE WALSH

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

@taylordayne8709

Lyrics

Somewhere out there on that horizon
Out beyond the neon lights
I know there must be somethin' better
But there's nowhere else in sight

It's survival in the city
When you live from day to day
City streets don't have much pity
When you're down, that's where you'll stay
In the city, oh, oh.
In the city

I was born here in the city
With my back against the wall
Nothing grows, and life ain't very pretty
No one's there to catch you when you fall
Somewhere out on that horizon
Faraway from the neon sky
I know there must be somethin' better

And I can't stay another night
In the city, oh, oh.
In the city



@bocilkematian6070

Somewhere out there on that horizon
Out beyond the neon lights
I know there must be somethin' better
But there's nowhere else in sight

It's survival in the city
When you live from day to day
City streets don't have much pity
When you're down, that's where you'll stay

In the city, oh, oh.
In the city

I was born here in the city
With my back against the wall
Nothing grows, and life ain't very pretty
No one's there to catch you when you fall

Somewhere out on that horizon
Faraway from the neon sky
I know there must be somethin' better
And I can't stay another night

In the city, oh, oh.
In the city



@LisaGroovy1

bang·er
/ˈbaNGər/
Popular Music · Informal
Motoring · Informal
noun

INFORMAL
a song with a loud, energetic beat that is good for dancing to.
"every single song on the album is a certified banger"



All comments from YouTube:

@JFeldman22

This song is tragically underrated

@douglasswinford2598

Joe Walsh is under appreciated in my opinion. The Eagles are wasting a opportunity to be a fine rock and roll group, but it looks like they want to reinvent the wheel by firing Don Felder who was always fun to watch when he played with Joe. For some reason (?) they think they need to be a country band like they were in the beginning. No wonder Lebowski hated the Eagles. I’ll go see Walsh anytime, but I’m not wasting my money on another lame Eagles show.

@Joellikestobox

I thought the same thing then I realized this guy was lead in the eagles

@bold810

Not by people like us. 🎉

@silasbeacom2930

Tell ‘em @bold810 “ooh its gettin’ BOLD out,”

@David-rz7jj

I agree👍🎶 AWSOME MOVIE TOO!!

10 More Replies...

@davidnewby191

The Warriors 1979 - 2019 40 years old still one of the greatest films ever

@pinballdan

Sure is!! Watched it Soo many times!!!

@galaxy7176

Watched it over several times; it never gets old!

@cbowllan91

That shit dam near a comedy I liked it when I was younger but this was more funny than serious

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