down on the lower east side
Justin Townes-Earle Lyrics
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Countin' cracks beneath my feet 'cause my head is hanging low
And the street lights all down be shining on the falling rain
Shadows dance across the street
Wind seems to whisper her name
But in this tired old town another sleepless night
Keep me wandering around down on the lower east side
And the city is unforgiving when you got nobody to love
But it's more and more these days I find I need a place to hide
And it's easy to get away when you're down on the lower east side
Yeah it's easy to get away when you're down on the lower east side
The song "Down On The Lower East Side" by Justin Townes Earle is a melancholic tribute to the Lower East Side neighborhood in Manhattan, where he lived for a couple of years. In the opening lines, the scene depicted is that of a lonely, desolate midnight on Manhattan's 11th street, and the persona is standing on the street feeling disoriented and dismal. The setting lends itself to introspection and contemplation of one's place in the world, and the persona is weighed down by the realization that he is lost and directionless. The street lights, the falling rain, and the shadows cast on the street create a somber and eerie atmosphere that adds to the persona's despondency.
The persona finds solace in the idea of a star in the heavens shining down on him, representing hope and a source of light in the darkness. However, the city is portrayed as being harsh and unforgiving to people who have nobody to love, painting a picture of isolation and vulnerability. The persona then highlights the importance of finding a place to hide, a safe haven where he can escape his problems and just be. The Lower East Side serves as that place for the persona, a gritty and authentic neighborhood that represents a return to roots and simplicity, away from the fast-paced, stressful life of Manhattan.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the midnight's on Manhattan 11th street and all alone
It's midnight on 11th street in Manhattan and I'm all by myself
Countin' cracks beneath my feet 'cause my head is hanging low
I'm looking down at the cracks on the ground because my mood is low
And the street lights all down be shining on the falling rain
The street lights are reflecting on the rain, making everything look shiny
Shadows dance across the street
The shadows from the street lights are moving and dancing in the rain
Wind seems to whisper her name
The wind is making a sound that reminds me of her name
But in this tired old town another sleepless night
It's difficult to sleep in this old town, I keep having sleepless nights
Keep me wandering around down on the lower east side
I keep wandering around the lower east side, unable to find any peace
So lay a star up in heaven shining down from up above
I wish there was a star in the sky shining down on me from above
And the city is unforgiving when you got nobody to love
It's hard to survive in the city when you have no one to love or care for you
But it's more and more these days I find I need a place to hide
I feel the need to hide more often these days, to escape from reality
And it's easy to get away when you're down on the lower east side
It's easier to escape from the world when you're down on the lower east side
Yeah it's easy to get away when you're down on the lower east side
Reiterating that it's easier to escape from the world when you're in the lower east side
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DUSTIN WELCH, JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind