Skid Row
Michelle Weeks Tisha Campbell Tichina Arnold & Ellen Greene Lyrics
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Alarm goes off at seven
and you start uptown.
You put in your eight hours
for the powers that have always been.
(Sing it, child.)
Til it's five p.m.
(Then you go)
Downtown
Where the folks are broke
You go
Downtown
Where your life's a joke
You go
Downtown
When you buy your token, you go-
Home to Skid Row!
Home to Skid Row!
(Yes, you go)
Downtown
Where the cabs don't stop.
Downtown
Where the food is slop.
Downtown
Where the hop-heads flop in the snow!
Down on Skid Row!
[Weeks, Arnold, Campbell]
Uptown you cater to a million jerks
Uptown your messengers and mailroom clerks
Eatin' all your lunches at the hot-dog carts
The bosses take your money
And they break your hearts
And uptown you cater to a million whores
You disinfect terrazzo on their bathroom floors
Jobs are really meanial, You'll make no bread
And then at five o'clock you head
(By subway)
[Ellen Greene]
Downtown
Where the guys are drips.
Downtown
Where they rip your slips.
Downtown
Where relationships are no-go.
Down on Skid Row!
[Rick Moranis]
Poor!
All my life, I've always been poor!
I keep asking God what I'm for,
And he tells me,
"Gee, I'm not sure...
Sweep that floor, kid"
Oh!
I started life as an orphan,
A child of the street, here on Skid Row!
He took me in, gave me shelter,
A bed, crust of bread, and a job-
Treats me like dirt,
Calls me a slob,
Which I am!
So I live...
Downtown
That's your home address, ya live
Downtown
When your life's a mess, ya live
Downtown
Where depression's jes' status quo!
Down on Skid Row!
Someone show me a way to get outa here
Cause I constantly pray I'll get outa here
Please won't somebody say I'll get outa here
Someone gimme my shot or I'll rot here!
Show me how and I will, (Downtown)
I'll get outa here (There's no rules for us)
I'll start climbin' up hill (Downtown)
and get outa here (Cause it's dangerous)
Someone tell me I still (Downtown)
could get outa here (Where the rainbow's just)
Someone tell lady luck (A no-show)
that I'm stuck here
(When you live)
[Rick Moranis & Ellen Greene]
Gee, it sure would
be swell to get outta here
Bid the gutter farewell and get outta here
I'd move heaven and hell to get outa Skid
I'd do I-dunno-what to get outta Skid,
But a hell of a lot to get outta Skid,
People tell me theres
not a way outta Skid
But believe me I
gotta get outta
Skid Row!
The song "Skid Row" is a poignant commentary on the struggles and hardships faced by individuals living in poverty-stricken neighborhoods, specifically the Skid Row area. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the daily grind and hopelessness experienced by the residents of this neighborhood.
The opening verse sung by Michelle Weeks highlights the routine of waking up early, working a monotonous job for long hours, and ultimately escaping the drudgery by going to Skid Row, their true home. Skid Row represents a different reality, where the people are broke and their lives are reduced to jokes. It is a place where desperation and destitution prevail.
The chorus, sung by Weeks, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, and Ellen Greene, emphasizes the stark contrast between the uptown and downtown areas. Uptown, individuals cater to wealthy and powerful figures, enduring thankless jobs and being taken advantage of. The lyrics also describe catering to "a million whores," which metaphorically represents the exploitation and demeaning nature of these jobs. Conversely, downtown, symbolized by Skid Row, is a place of despair and hopelessness, where basic needs like food and shelter are lacking.
Rick Moranis's verse offers a glimpse into the personal story of one individual living in Skid Row. He describes a life of poverty since childhood and being taken in by someone who treats him poorly. Despite the hardships, he continues to survive and live in this dismal environment.
The final chorus expresses the yearning to escape Skid Row, pleading for someone to show a way out. The desperation is palpable as the lyrics call for Lady Luck to intervene. The characters express their willingness to do whatever it takes to break free from Skid Row, even if they are unsure how to achieve it. The repeated refrain of "get outta here" demonstrates their determination to leave this cycle of poverty and despair.
Overall, "Skid Row" is a compelling and emotionally charged song that sheds light on the struggles faced by those living in poverty, highlighting the desperate desire for a better life. It speaks to the hardships, dreams, and hopelessness experienced by individuals in marginalized communities, inviting listeners to empathize with their plight.
Line by Line Meaning
Alarm goes off at seven
Every morning, the alarm clock wakes you up at seven o'clock
and you start uptown.
And you begin your day by heading to the wealthier part of the city
You put in your eight hours
During your workday, you dedicate eight hours of your time
for the powers that have always been.
Serving the people in positions of authority who have always been in control
(Sing it, child.)
(Express this sentiment strongly, my dear)
Til it's five p.m.
Until it reaches five o'clock in the evening
(Then you go)
(That's when you leave)
Downtown
You head to the poorer part of the city
Where the folks are broke
Where the people living there are financially struggling
You go
You travel
Downtown
To downtown
Where your life's a joke
Where your life feels like a constant source of amusement for others
You go
You travel
Downtown
To downtown
When you buy your token, you go-
After purchasing your subway ticket, you continue
Home to Skid Row!
Home to the impoverished and struggling neighborhood known as Skid Row
Home to Skid Row!
Home to Skid Row!
(Yes, you go)
(Indeed, you go)
Downtown
You head to downtown
Where the cabs don't stop.
Where taxis rarely stop to pick up passengers
Downtown
To downtown
Where the food is slop.
Where the quality of food is poor
Downtown
To downtown
Where the hop-heads flop in the snow!
Where drug addicts collapse in the snow
Down on Skid Row!
In the impoverished neighborhood of Skid Row!
Uptown you cater to a million jerks
In the wealthier part of the city, you serve unpleasant individuals
Uptown your messengers and mailroom clerks
In the wealthier part of the city, your coworkers are messengers and mailroom clerks
Eatin' all your lunches at the hot-dog carts
They consume their lunches from hot-dog carts, depriving you of your own
The bosses take your money
The superiors withhold a portion of your earnings
And they break your hearts
And their actions cause you emotional pain
And uptown you cater to a million whores
In the wealthier part of the city, you serve unscrupulous individuals
You disinfect terrazzo on their bathroom floors
You clean and sanitize the bathroom floors made of terrazzo in their establishments
Jobs are really meanial, You'll make no bread
The jobs are extremely menial, and you won't earn much money
And then at five o'clock you head
And then, at five o'clock, you leave
(By subway)
(Using the subway as your means of transportation)
Downtown
To downtown
Where the guys are drips.
Where the men are unimpressive and dull
Downtown
To downtown
Where they rip your slips.
Where they tear apart your payroll slips
Downtown
To downtown
Where relationships are no-go.
Where meaningful connections with people are impossible
Down on Skid Row!
In the impoverished neighborhood of Skid Row!
Poor!
Throughout my entire life, I have always been impoverished
All my life, I've always been poor!
Every single moment of my existence, I have experienced poverty
I keep asking God what I'm for,
I continuously question my purpose in the eyes of God
And he tells me,
And in response, God tells me
"Gee, I'm not sure...
"Well, I'm uncertain...
Sweep that floor, kid"
Your task is to sweep the floor, young one"
Oh!
Oh!
I started life as an orphan,
I began my existence as an abandoned child
A child of the street, here on Skid Row!
A child who grew up in the streets, right here in Skid Row!
He took me in, gave me shelter,
He gave me a home, provided me with protection
A bed, crust of bread, and a job-
A place to sleep, a small amount of food, and employment-
Treats me like dirt,
Treats me with disrespect
Calls me a slob,
Refers to me as a messy and lazy person
Which I am!
Which, unfortunately, is true!
So I live...
So I continue to exist...
Downtown
In downtown
That's your home address, ya live
That's where you reside, it's your place of abode
Downtown
In downtown
When your life's a mess, ya live
When your life is in disarray, you live
Downtown
In downtown
Where depression's jes' status quo!
Where feeling down is just the normal state of being
Down on Skid Row!
In the impoverished neighborhood of Skid Row!
Someone show me a way to get outa here
I seek guidance from someone to discover an escape from this place
Cause I constantly pray I'll get outa here
Because I am always praying for a way to leave this place
Please won't somebody say I'll get outa here
Kindly, could someone reassure me that I will find a way out?
Someone gimme my shot or I'll rot here!
Someone give me my chance or I will remain trapped and deteriorate here!
Show me how and I will, (Downtown)
Demonstrate to me the path, and I will follow it (In downtown)
I'll get outa here (There's no rules for us)
I will find a way to escape from this place (There are no restrictions on our lives)
I'll start climbin' up hill (Downtown)
I will begin the uphill struggle to achieve my freedom (In downtown)
and get outa here (Cause it's dangerous)
And escape from this place (Because it is risky)
Someone tell me I still (Downtown)
Someone assure me that I still have a chance (In downtown)
could get outa here (Where the rainbow's just)
To find an escape from this place (Where the potential for happiness is limited)
Someone tell lady luck (A no-show)
Someone inform luck itself (Which has not made an appearance)
that I'm stuck here
That I am trapped and unable to leave this place
(When you live)
(In the life you lead)
Gee, it sure would
Gee, it would certainly
be swell to get outta here
be wonderful to escape from this place
Bid the gutter farewell and get outta here
Say goodbye to this lowly place and depart from here
I'd move heaven and hell to get outa Skid
I would do absolutely anything to escape from Skid Row
I'd do I-dunno-what to get outa Skid,
I would do whatever it takes to leave Skid Row
But a hell of a lot to get outta Skid,
I would make a tremendous effort to depart from Skid Row
People tell me theres
People inform me that there is
not a way outta Skid
no possible means of escaping from Skid Row
But believe me I
But trust me, I
gotta get outta
absolutely need to leave
Skid Row!
Skid Row!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN MENKEN, HOWARD ELLIOTT ASHMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind