Catherine Street
Looking Glass Lyrics

Moonlight dancer
The singer is using the image of a moonlight dancer to set the romantic and somewhat mystical tone of the song.

High romancin'
The singer continues to describe the romantic atmosphere surrounding Catherine Street.

Down on Catherine Street
The singer sets the scene of the song, with a focus on a specific location: Catherine Street.

Lover's cramps and
The artist describes the pain and struggles of being in love.

Household tramps
The artist describes the tough living conditions on Catherine Street, where many families are struggling to make ends meet.

Down on dirty Catherine Street
The singer emphasizes the negative qualities of Catherine Street, such as its dirtiness and lack of hygiene.

Me and my woman just bustin' our heads
The singer and his significant other are struggling to get by on Catherine Street and are facing a lot of obstacles and difficulties.

Down on old Taneray Road, yeah
The artist mentions another nearby road, perhaps to suggest that Catherine Street is part of a larger community that shares similar struggles and hardships.

The needle works the railroad tracks
The artist uses this line metaphorically to describe how drugs and addiction are rampant on Catherine Street and are robbing people of their potential and ambition.

I guess ya know how local stories all go
The artist is suggesting that the problems on Catherine Street are not unique and are similar to the issues faced by many other local communities.

But if ya find your mind lies broke down in the stores
The singer is warning people not to turn to material possessions as a way to cope with their problems and to instead face their struggles head-on.

And if your dreams become the refuge of your soul
The artist suggests that it's important to hold on to one's dreams and aspirations, as they can offer hope and motivation during difficult times.

Don't ask the dealer to be fair
The singer is warning people not to put their trust in drug dealers or other shady figures who might try to take advantage of their vulnerability.

Your soul ain't good enough to spare
The singer is implying that using drugs or other harmful coping mechanisms will only further damage one's spirit and emotional well-being.

When you're all the way down
The singer is referring to the rock bottom that many people on Catherine Street have hit, where they feel helpless and desperate.

On Catherine Street
The artist brings the song's focus back to the specific location that inspired the song's lyrics.

The days are passing vaguely
The artist suggests that time seems to move slowly and without purpose on Catherine Street.

Down on Catherine Street
The singer repeats the song's central location for emphasis.

A few of them
The singer is acknowledging that despite the slow pace of life on Catherine Street, there are still some normal moments that occur.

The normal hours
The artist continues to describe these brief moments of normalcy.

Of any normal street
The artist reminds the listener that even though Catherine Street is unique in its struggles, it is not fundamentally different from other communities.

My head changed hands so
The artist is suggesting that his life is so chaotic and uncertain that he doesn't know where his head is at or who he can turn to for support.

Lord, so many times
The singer emphasizes the frequency of these moments of hardship and confusion.

I could not feel to speak
The artist is feeling so overwhelmed and lost that he can't even find the right words to describe his pain and fear.

And when I finally
The singer suggests that after some time, he is able to regain his composure and start processing his emotions.

Get to talking, well
The singer implies that communication is an important tool for coping with hardship and building connections with others.

Then my knees start gettin' weak
The singer is still struggling to stay strong and composed even when he tries to talk about his feelings and experiences.

You know they keep the dogs
The artist is describing the oppressive and violent atmosphere on Catherine Street, where even the dogs are chained up and unable to move freely.

All chained up
The mention of the dogs being chained up furthers the theme of confinement and oppression throughout the song.

Sometimes it's hard to find any
The singer is acknowledging the scarcity of resources and support on Catherine Street, making it difficult to escape the cycle of poverty and addiction.

Place to hide
The singer emphasizes how difficult it is to find any sort of respite or relief from the struggles of Catherine Street.

From the goddamned heat
The artist uses the heat as yet another symbol of the oppressive and inescapable nature of life on Catherine Street.

Besides, most of us are just
The artist is suggesting that most people on Catherine Street are merely trying to survive rather than thrive, as they face insurmountable obstacles and limited opportunities.

Biding our time
The artist implies that most people on Catherine Street are just trying to pass the time until something better comes along - if it ever does.

'Till we get back on our feet
The singer uses this common phrase to describe the hope that exists on Catherine Street, even if it seems distant and elusive.

Oh mama
The artist is addressing a maternal figure who might offer comfort and support during difficult times.

I'll be back on my feet one of these days
The singer is expressing hope and determination to overcome the obstacles on Catherine Street and make a better life for himself someday.

Yeah
This short interjection serves as an affirmation of the singer's resolve.

You just see if I don't
The singer is challenging anyone who might doubt his ability to overcome his struggles and succeed in life.

Ya know
This phrase further emphasizes the artist's confidence and determination.

Ya can't keep a good man down for too long
The artist is using this common saying to emphasize his resilience and determination to succeed despite any obstacles that come his way.

And I'm coming on up
The singer is expressing confidence that he will improve his situation and rise above the struggles of Catherine Street.

I feel good
The singer is experiencing a moment of optimism and hope, despite the hardships he has described throughout the song.

Lord I feel good
The artist repeats this feeling of goodness to emphasize how important it is to hold onto hope and optimism even during difficult times.

So far down
The artist uses this phrase to describe the depth of despair many people on Catherine Street feel.

So far down
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the theme of desperation and hopelessness that runs throughout the song.

So far down
By repeating this phrase once more, the singer emphasizes how difficult it can be to escape the downward spiral of poverty and addiction that plagues Catherine Street.

(end)
This final attribute simply notes the end of the song.