Inner City Blues
Marc Broussard Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Rockets, moon shots
Spend it on the have nots
Money, we make it
'Fore we see it you take it

Oh, make me wanna holler
The way they do my life, yeah
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

Oh, make me wanna holler
Way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
Way they do my life, oh yeah

Hang ups, let downs
Bad breaks, set backs
Natural fact is
Oh honey that I can't pay my taxes

Oh, make me wanna holler
Throw up both my hands
Yeah, make me wanna holler
Throw up both my hands

Crime is increasing
Trigger happy policing
Panic is spreading
God knows where we're heading

Oh, make me wanna holler
They don't understand
Yeah, make me wanna holler
They don't understand, oh

Mother, mother, mother, yeah
Everybody thinks we're wrong




Oh, but who are they to judge us? Mother
Simply 'cause we wear our hair long

Overall Meaning

In Marc Broussard's song "Inner City Blues," the lyrics explore the deep frustration and despair felt by those who are struggling in society. The song touches upon many of the issues that continue to plague underprivileged communities in the United States today. The lyrics, "rockets, moon shots, spend it on the have nots, money, we make it, 'fore we see it you take it" allude to the government's priority to invest in space travel rather than invest in programs to aid the less fortunate. It feels like those in power are taking, leaving nothing for those who desperately need it.


The following stanza, "Inflation no chance, to increase finance, bills pile up sky high, send that boy off to die" speaks to the economic woes of the working class, highlighting the harsh reality that they will have to go to war, putting their lives on the line because they cannot afford to live. The chorus repeatedly chants, "Make me wanna holler, way they do my life," expressing the anger and sadness of those who are continuously oppressed and the misfortune and disparity they face every day. The last verse tells of the corruption, crime, and injustice in society that perpetuates the harshness and difficulty of living in less fortunate areas where even the simplest things like paying taxes make them "wanna holler."


Overall, Marc Broussard's "Inner City Blues" is a deep and poignant song that speaks to the challenges and struggles of living in poverty-stricken communities in America.


Line by Line Meaning

Rockets, moon shots
We spend millions of dollars on space exploration while people in the inner city don't have the basic necessities.


Spend it on the have nots
We should be using our resources to help those in need.


Money, we make it
We work hard to earn money.


'Fore we see it you take it
But the government takes it away through taxes.


Oh, make me wanna holler
I'm so frustrated and angry.


The way they do my life, yeah
Because of the inequalities and injustices I face every day.


This ain't livin', this ain't livin'
The way things are is not the way they should be.


No, no baby, this ain't livin'
It's not a good life for anyone.


Inflation no chance
With the rising cost of living, it's hard to make ends meet.


To increase finance
And earning more money is not always an option.


Bills pile up sky high
Which leads to debt and financial stress.


Send that boy off to die
And all while young men are being sent off to fight wars.


Hang ups, let downs
Life is full of obstacles and disappointments.


Bad breaks, set backs
And luck is not always on our side.


Natural fact is
The reality is that life is not fair.


Oh honey that I can't pay my taxes
And even though I work hard, I can barely afford to pay my bills and taxes.


Throw up both my hands
It's frustrating and I feel powerless.


Crime is increasing
In addition to financial struggles, there is an increase in crime.


Trigger happy policing
Police often use excessive force and violence.


Panic is spreading
And the fear and anxiety is spreading throughout society.


God knows where we're heading
No one knows where society is headed.


They don't understand
Most people in power don't understand or care about the struggles of those in the inner city.


Mother, mother, mother, yeah
We need to ask for help from those in power.


Everybody thinks we're wrong
But they judge us without understanding our struggles.


Oh, but who are they to judge us? Mother
We should not be judged based on our appearance or social class.


Simply 'cause we wear our hair long
Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity regardless of their appearance or social status.




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
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Brenda Kuhr

Whoah! Someone who loves Marvin as much as I do!!! Great job , Marc! You are such a rare talent!

Bert C

Right On Brenda!!!

Scott Ertz

Dude, there's nothing that comes out of your mouth that isn't stellar! No matter what genre, style or whatever, pure gold! I see you get it from pops. He's outstanding, too! You've got a true fan here.

Leanna Gagain

I was blown away by how incredibly talented Marc broussard is. So much soul in a world lacking in this moment.

Bama Bay-bee

Your voice just moves our souls, that's it, plain and simple. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. Seen you live three times and it's always amazing.

Nancy Burns

Absolutely fantastic!

Arona Crisden

Thank you for helping me when I really need help, PLEASE keep singing. keeping me alive.LOVE you.

Lamia Allen

Excellent 😍... So Beautifully Done my 4Ever Bro from another Mother. Soft & Soulful... Took me on a journey just like our Bro Marvin did 💯🎯✔‼‼‼

JJJJJ

hey! i found you on youtube because a singer covered your song on the voice. so the first ever song of yours that i listened to is lonely night in Georgia. and ever since that, i've just become your fan

Marc Broussard

welcome!

More Comments