Inner City Blues
Lee Ritenour 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
Rockets, moon shots
Spend it on the have nots
Money, we make 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
The song "Inner City Blues" by Lee Ritenour, originally performed by Marvin Gaye in 1971, is a poignant social commentary on the struggles faced by African Americans in the United States during that time. The lyrics express frustration and anger towards the political and economic systems that are failing to provide for the working-class and marginalized people living in the inner cities.
The opening lines of the song, "Rockets, moon shots, spend it on the have nots, money we make it, fore we see it you take it" are a reference to the significant government funding allocated towards space exploration and the military efforts during that time. Meanwhile, poverty, crime, and unemployment rates were incredibly high in the inner cities where African Americans were predominantly living.
The lyrics "make me wanna holler" are repeated throughout the song's chorus, signifying the desperation and helplessness felt by those living in these conditions. The last verse also addresses the issue of police brutality, with the line "trigger happy policing" highlighting the unfair treatment and violence faced by African Americans at the hands of law enforcement.
Overall, "Inner City Blues" is a powerful song that highlights the systemic issues faced by African Americans in the United States in the 1970s, many of which continue to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Dah, dah, dah, dah
The opening sounds of the song
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
The continuation of the opening sounds of the song
Dah, dah, dah, dah
The continuation of the opening sounds of the song
Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah
The continuation of the opening sounds of the song
Dah, dah, dah
The continuation of the opening sounds of the song
Rockets, moon shots
The government is investing in space exploration
Spend it on the have nots
The resources are not being used to help the poor
Money, we make it
Money is being generated
Fore we see it you take it
Taxes and other expenses are quickly deducted from income
Oh, make you wanna holler
The situation is frustrating and angering
The way they do my life
The way the government handles things is negatively affecting individuals' lives
Make me wanna holler
Repeat of frustration and anger
The way they do my life
Repeat that the government's actions are affecting individuals' lives negatively
This ain't livin', this ain't livin'
The current situation is not a true life, it feels like a burden
No, no baby, this ain't livin'
Repeat of life not feeling true or worth living
No, no, no
The final sounds of the song's first verse
Inflation no chance
Inflation is making things worse
To increase finance
People cannot increase their income
Bills pile up sky high
Expenses are getting higher and higher
Send that boy off to die
Young men are being sent to war, often without means to pay for it
Make me wanna holler
Repeat of frustration and anger
The way they do my life
Repeat that the government's actions are affecting individuals' lives negatively
Make me wanna holler
Repeat of frustration and anger
The way they do my life
Repeat that the government's actions are affecting individuals' lives negatively
Dah, dah, dah
The same sounds used at the opening to transition to the next verse
Dah, dah, dah
The same, brief transition sounds
Hang ups, let downs
Life is complicated and discouraging
Bad breaks, set backs
Negative events and situations are happening
Natural fact is
This is how things are in reality
I can't pay my taxes
There are financial struggles, people cannot cover even their taxes
Oh, make me wanna holler
Repeat of frustration and anger
And throw up both my hands
Literal expression of exasperation
Yea, it makes me wanna holler
Repeat of frustration and anger
And throw up both my hands
Repeat of literal expression of exasperation
Crime is increasing
Crime rates are going up
Trigger happy policing
Police are reacting violently
Panic is spreading
People are getting more and more anxious
God know where we're heading
No one knows what's happening
Oh, make me wanna holler
Repeat of frustration and anger
They don't understand
People are oblivious to what's happening
Dah, dah, dah
The same, brief transition sounds before the song's final lines
Dah, dah, dah
The final repetition of these sounds
Dah, dah, dah
The very last repetition of the transition sounds before the end of the song
Mother, mother
Oh mother
Everybody thinks we're wrong
People don't approve of our choices
Who are they to judge us
Why should they be in a position to judge?
Simply cause we wear our hair long
People are criticized because of their choices in appearance
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Marvin Gaye, James Nyx
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind