Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazareth_(band)
Studio albums
Nazareth (1971)
Exercises (1972)
Razamanaz (1973)
Loud 'n' Proud (1973)
Rampant (1974)
Hair of the Dog (1975)
Close Enough for Rock 'n' Roll (1976)
Play 'n' the Game (1976)
Expect No Mercy (1977)
No Mean City (1979)
Malice in Wonderland (1980)
The Fool Circle (1981)
2XS (1982)
Sound Elixir (1983)
The Catch (1984)
Cinema (1986)
Snakes 'n' Ladders (1989)
No Jive (1991)
Move Me (1994)
Boogaloo (1998)
The Newz (2008)
Big Dogz (2011)
Rock 'n' Roll Telephone (2014)
Tattooed on My Brain (2018)
Surviving the Law (2022)
Mean Streets
Nazareth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's something taking over
Strange thing
We're losing what we had
Closing down
Seems like another town
Changed days
We used to laugh a lot.
Tell me
Is there somewhere I can go now
Empty
The door is staying shut
No sound
You won't get another round
Maybe
It's time to move along.
I can't believe it's over.
Bad dreams
Blood is running colder
Sinky's
No turning back the clock
Memories
It used to mean so much to me
My scene
Won't make the final cut.
Don't like this new direction
Can't believe it's over
It's getting out of control
Can't believe it s over
Don't want a corporation
Can't believe it's over
We need a place with soul.
Time flies
I don't feel any older
Goodbyes
Are harder than I thought
Bandstand
Kind another place to jam
Old friends
Will never be forgot.
I can't believe it's over
I can't believe it's over
I can't believe it's over.
The lyrics to Nazareth's song Mean Streets depict a town and its people in a state of decline. The opening lines set the tone, describing a strange force that is taking over and causing them to lose what they once had. The town is closing down and the once-thriving community has changed, leaving the inhabitants feeling lost and bewildered. As the song progresses, the singer realizes that there is nowhere left to go and the future seems uncertain. They are haunted by bad dreams and memories of a time when the town was a vibrant place full of life and soul.
The chorus is powerful and emotional, as the singer struggles with the reality of what is happening around them. They can't believe that it is over and they are struggling to come to terms with the changes that have taken place. The final verse is bittersweet, as the singer reflects on the passage of time and how things will never be the same. They end the song with the powerful refrain of the chorus, unable to fully accept the fact that their world has vanished.
Overall, the lyrics to Mean Streets are a poignant and insightful commentary on the human condition. The song explores themes of change, loss, and acceptance, striking a chord with listeners who have experienced similar emotions in their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Mean streets
Life in a rough and impoverished neighborhood
There's something taking over
A change is happening, something is coming to dominate the area
Strange thing
This change is unusual and unexpected
We're losing what we had
The community is deteriorating, and losing what made it special
Closing down
Businesses and opportunities are disappearing from the area
Seems like another town
The character of the neighborhood is becoming indistinguishable from other places
Changed days
The community is not what it used to be
We used to laugh a lot.
The sense of humor and joy that was once prominent is diminishing
Tell me
The artist is looking for answers
Is there somewhere I can go now
They are searching for an escape or safe haven
Empty
The neighborhood feels devoid of life and opportunities
The door is staying shut
There are no welcoming places or people in the area
No sound
The silence is overwhelming and unnatural
You won't get another round
Opportunities for enjoyment are quickly disappearing
Maybe
The singer is uncertain, but considering the option of leaving
It's time to move along.
They have decided it is time to leave the area
I can't believe it's over.
The artist is in disbelief and mourning for what the neighborhood used to be
Bad dreams
The situation has become a nightmare
Blood is running colder
The reality of the situation is setting in and causing fear and anxiety
Sinky's
The local hangout and source of community has fallen apart
No turning back the clock
There is no reversing the damage that has been done
Memories
The artist is reflecting on the happier times in the neighborhood
It used to mean so much to me
The community was once very important to the singer
My scene
The character's personal involvement in the community
Won't make the final cut.
They are being forced out of the situation, unable to maintain their place in the neighborhood
Don't like this new direction
The singer is disapproving of the changes happening in the neighborhood
Can't believe it's over
The singer still regrets the loss of the old community
It's getting out of control
The situation has escalated out of hand
Don't want a corporation
The character wants to preserve the unique and independent character of the area
We need a place with soul.
The singer desires a sense of meaning and culture in their surroundings
Time flies
The singer is older and reflective
I don't feel any older
Despite the passage of time, the artist feels the same as ever
Goodbyes
The process of leaving is painful
Are harder than I thought
The artist is struggling emotionally to leave the area and memories behind
Bandstand
A place where music was played in the past
Kind another place to jam
The artist is looking for a new creative outlet in a different area
Old friends
The singer's past acquaintances and connections to the neighborhood
Will never be forgot.
Memories and relationships will always be remembered
Contributed by Jayden G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Exocetmusic14
first time i heard this Nazareth song ,great .!!