Summer in the City
Lovin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Back of my neck gettin' dirty and gritty
Been down, isn't it a pity?
Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city
All around, people lookin' half dead
Walkin' on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head
But at night, it's a different world
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
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
Dressed so fine and lookin' so pretty
Cool cat lookin' for a kitty
Gonna look in every corner of the city
'Til I'm wheezing like a bus stop
Runnin' upstairs, 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
The days can't be like the nights
In the summer in the city
In the summer in the city
Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck gettin' dirty and gritty
Been down, isn't it a pity?
Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city
All around, people lookin' half dead
Walkin' 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
The days can't be like the nights
In the summer in the city
In the summer in the city
"Summer in the City" by Lovin' Spoonful captures the essence of urban summer life. The imagery of a hot town with the back of the neck getting dirty and gritty immediately sets the scene, emphasizing the discomfort and intensity of city life during the summer. The lack of shade and the oppressive heat create a suffocating atmosphere where everyone seems exhausted and drained, highlighted by people looking half dead while walking on the scorching sidewalks. These vivid descriptions paint a picture of urban summer heat that is both tangible and relatable.
The contrast between the daytime and nighttime in the city is a central theme in the song. While the day is characterized by the sweltering heat and weary crowds, the night offers a different world filled with possibilities. The allure of going out, finding a girl, and dancing all night symbolizes a release from the daytime troubles and a chance to embrace the freedom and liveliness of the city after dark. Despite the heat, the nighttime activities promise a sense of excitement and relief, hinting at the transformative power of the city's nightlife.
The lyrics also touch upon the longing for the nighttime to last longer and for the days to be more like the nights. This sentiment reflects a desire for the carefree and vibrant atmosphere of the city at night to extend into the daytime, suggesting a yearning for escapism and a break from the mundane routines of daily life. The repetition of the lines about the contrast between day and night underscores this dichotomy, emphasizing the idea that the city takes on a new identity once the sun sets.
Overall, "Summer in the City" captures the dual nature of urban summer life, with its oppressive daytime heat and bustling nighttime energy. The song paints a vivid picture of city streets filled with tired, overheated people during the day, transforming into a vibrant and exciting playground at night. The yearning for the nighttime to linger and for the days to be as lively as the nights speaks to a longing for escape, adventure, and the freedom to let loose in the city's urban landscape.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Steve Boone, John Benson Sebastian, Mark Douglas Sebastian
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind