Bright Lights Big City
Madcap Lyrics


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In a bar in downtown Dale an old man tells a tale
He screams of a day of poets where the streets are ours not theirs
He screams piss on everything

My leather jacket is zipped up and ready
The boots on my feet, they keep me steady
I want to join the gang and sing
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY
(WE WANT THE STREETS)

Old men say, they say son it's going to be hard to get older
Give it time and you will see
Well now that time has come and gone

I may be young but I know nothing, nothing really matters
Except what's in your heart
No good, no bad, no wrong, no right

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY
(WE WANT THE STREETS)

Meet us on the street underneath bright lights in the city
There we'll find our hearts, our souls, our dreams

Meet us on the street underneath bright lights big city
Nothing holds us back when we believe our hearts the size of buildings





BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY
(WE WANT THE STREETS)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Madcap's song "Bright Lights Big City" are a call to rebellion against societal norms and expectations. The first stanza speaks of an old man's desire to reclaim the streets and to embrace the freedom that comes with it. The line "He screams piss on everything" is a powerful statement of defiance against the rules and regulations that govern society. The singer of the song then describes his own readiness to join the rebellion with his "leather jacket zipped up" and his "boots on [his] feet". He wants to "join the gang" and "sing".


The second stanza speaks of the passing of time and how it affects one's perspective on life. The old men in the singer's life warn him about the difficulties of getting older, but he disregards their advice. The singer believes that only the things in one's heart truly matter and that there is no objective morality or right and wrong. The singer then repeats the chorus, calling for others to join him "underneath the bright lights" in order to find their hearts, souls, and dreams.


Line by Line Meaning

In a bar in downtown Dale an old man tells a tale
At a bar located in downtown Dale, an older individual is sharing a story


He screams of a day of poets where the streets are ours not theirs
He passionately speaks of a time when the streets belonged to poets, not anyone else


He screams piss on everything
With anger and frustration, he shouts that everything should be disregarded


My leather jacket is zipped up and ready
I am prepared for the situation with my leather jacket fully zippered


The boots on my feet, they keep me steady
My footwear is providing me with the necessary balance and footing


I want to join the gang and sing
I aspire to be a part of the group and sing alongside them


BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY
This is a reference to the large illuminated city, representing hope and opportunity


(WE WANT THE STREETS)
We desire to have ownership and control over the streets


Old men say, they say son it's going to be hard to get older
Elderly individuals have warned me that aging will be difficult


Give it time and you will see
Time will show me the reality of the situation


Well now that time has come and gone
Now that time has passed, it has become apparent


I may be young but I know nothing, nothing really matters
Although I am young, I am aware that nothing truly holds significance


Except what's in your heart
The only thing of importance is what you personally feel inside


No good, no bad, no wrong, no right
There are no real moral absolutes, everything is subjective


Meet us on the street underneath bright lights in the city
Come join us on the streets lit up by the bright city lights


There we'll find our hearts, our souls, our dreams
We will discover our true passions, emotions, and aspirations


Nothing holds us back when we believe our hearts the size of buildings
When we have unwavering faith in ourselves, nothing can limit us




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL GRANT GONZALEZ

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@mosteve30

I freaking love this song!!!

@revogains913

2020 anyone?

@youtrippin35

@matthewbucher8227

2021

@lowerclasswarfare

2022

@dirkbowman946

Saw this band in Bloomington Indiana at Rhinos in the earthy 2000s ! Good times

@scot5691

Oh man. Flash back to rocking to this in the car, summer time and screaming in the car.

@mandycourteau6028

Atticus Dragging The Lake!

@hmmhmm111

dude, its so hard to find much madcap on youtube wtff

@apr1lp1e

fux yeah punx never dead!!!!!!!! PUNK ROCK! for life mother fuckers!!!!!!!!!

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