New York City
Madball Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I see it every day
Everywhere I look they say
Another life has been taken away
It makes my stomach turn
But livin' here you gotta learn
Get used to it, it's reality

Say your prayers
Hope it won't happen to you
Mind your business
Do what you gotta do

Don't look for trouble
Sometimes trouble finds you
And what can you do
What can I do?

One on one fights don't exist
Fist fights are extinct
Nowadays people don't seem to think
They can't see
How easy it is to set a soul free
That decision is not theirs to make

Say your prayers
Hope it won't happen to you
Mind your business
Do what you gotta do

Don't look for trouble
Sometimes trouble finds you
And what can you do
What can I do?

Now you see what I mean
Protecting my family and me
What can I do?

It makes my stomach turn
Livin' here you gotta learn




You gotta fight back
When someone tries to take your life from you

Overall Meaning

Madball's song "New York City" is a sobering look at the reality of daily life in the city that never sleeps. The lyrics speak to the prevalence of violence and crime, and the need to be constantly vigilant and prepared to defend oneself. The first verse sets the tone, with the singer stating that he sees another life taken away every day, and that it makes his stomach turn. But in a city like New York, he says, you have to get used to it – it's just reality.


The chorus of the song offers advice on how to survive in this environment: say your prayers, mind your business, and do what you have to do. But even with these precautions, trouble can still find you. The second verse laments the fact that one-on-one fights are a thing of the past, and that people are quick to resort to violence without considering the consequences. The singer acknowledges that sometimes fighting back is necessary, but it's a stark reminder of the harsh reality of life in the city.


Madball has been known as a hardcore punk band since their formation in 1988. For their album "Demonstrating My Style," they recorded the track "New York City". The song showcases the New York City hardcore and heavy metal music that Madball is known for. The song was released in 1996 by Roadrunner Records.


Line by Line Meaning

I see it every day
Madball sees the loss of life everywhere in the city and it's a constant reminder of the harsh reality of living in New York.


Everywhere I look they say
No matter where Madball looks in the city, there are news reports or memorials for the most recent victim of violence.


Another life has been taken away
The death toll in the city from acts of aggression is alarmingly high and continues to rise.


It makes my stomach turn
The constant death and destruction takes a huge toll on Madball, as it's not uncommon to see senseless violence taking lives regularly.


But livin' here you gotta learn
Despite how heart-wrenching the violence is, Madball knows that living in a city as big and diverse as New York comes with its own set of challenges and dangers.


Get used to it, it's reality
Madball is telling the listener that they have to accept that violence is part of the reality of living in the big apple.


Say your prayers
Madball emphasizes the importance of prayer as it is one of the few things that can offer solace given the violent reality of the city.


Hope it won't happen to you
Madball advises people to not let their guard down, as danger is omnipresent and can strike anyone, regardless of their background or occupation.


Mind your business
People have to remain alert because danger is lurking in every corner and in the slightest of interactions.


Do what you gotta do
People have to do whatever it takes to protect themselves and their loved ones, even if it means taking harsh measures.


Don't look for trouble
Madball warns that even the slightest altercation can quickly escalate and lead to unfortunate outcomes.


Sometimes trouble finds you
People can take all the necessary precautions, but they can still fall victims to aggression because violent crimes can occur in the most unexpected situations.


And what can you do
Once someone is a victim of senseless violence in New York, there is not much that can be done beyond mourning their loss and remembering their legacy.


One on one fights don't exist
New York has evolved to become a place where individuals can face serious danger against groups or gang members and it's not uncommon for this to occur.


Fist fights are extinct
Gone are the days of personal conflicts being handled through physical fighting. Instead, weapons are involved and lives are taken with increasing frequency.


Nowadays people don't seem to think
Madball is commenting on how the value of human life has decreased in the consciousness of people and how they don't think about the consequences of their actions.


They can't see
Madball is saying that people fail to appreciate the sanctity of life and how quickly it can be taken away.


How easy it is to set a soul free
Madball is referring to how a simple act of violence can lead to the loss of an individual's life with no regard for the long-lasting impact on their loved ones.


That decision is not theirs to make
Madball is saying that people should not make decisions that involve the lives of others and should refrain from violence even if they are provoked.


Now you see what I mean
Madball is asking the listener to comprehend the gravity of the situation and the need to be proactive in protecting themselves from violence.


Protecting my family and me
Madball is voicing his concern for his loved ones and how important it is to keep them safe from the dangers of the city.


What can I do?
Madball is acknowledging his own helplessness and questioning what measures can be taken to reduce the loss of life in the city.


You gotta fight back
Madball is advocating that people need to take action and fight back against violence to ensure their well-being and survival.


When someone tries to take your life from you
Madball is bringing attention to the seriousness of aggression and how it can lead to the loss of life if not taken seriously.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FRED CRICIEN, JORGE GUERRA, MATTHEW HENDERSON, VINCENT CAPPUCCIO, WILLIAM SHEPLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Jarifman X

Madball w/ V.O.D. and Undermind at the Capitol Ballroom in D.C. in 96. One of the best HC shows I was ever at.

alekssimon

It makes my stomach turn, but livin' here, you gotta learn. You gotta fight back when someone tries to take life from you.....

TuXxX _x_

Dont look for trouble...but be prepared when it comes...

Jacek hendriksen

Living here for years.... loving Madball ❤️NYC

Robi Chakravarty

The scene may be centered in Brooklyn and ridge wood now, but it’ll always be les nyhc and this is one of the defining sounds

Geek Savz Fat_T

Most people have the Beatles. I have Madball!

Denis Felice

We dont fake it we just take it

Stone Comer

IT MAKES MY STOMACH TURN

Nomad13

SOMETIMES, TROUBLE FINDS YOU

_Jax

Madball is so beast

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