Old 97's have been heralded as a great live band. They included five live songs as a bonus disc on Satellite Rides, and released a live double CD set recorded at historic Gruene Hall in 2005, Alive and Wired. Singer/guitarist Rhett Miller has released three solo albums and singer/bassist Murry Hammond released his first solo effort in April 2008. Ken Bethea plays lead guitar for the band and playing the drums/singing is Philip Peeples.
For photographs and additional information see the official website, www.Old97s.com.
Broadway
Old 97's Lyrics
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I can watch the dancing class go round
But in a hotel room that costs as much as my apartment
I can watch the working class go down
And it's enough to make a crooked man go straight
Broadway, Broadway
He was unaware of what went down
Fattening him up just like calf before a slaughter
But he'd had his fill of hollow town
And it's enough to make a stupid man think straight
Broadway, Broadway
And it's enough to make a crooked man go straight
Broadway, Broadway, Broadway, Broadway
These lyrics are from Old 97's's song "Broadway," which is about the decadence and allure of Broadway in New York City. The song talks about being in a hotel room just off Times Square, observing the people on the street and the stark contrast between the upper and the working class. The luxurious hotel room, costing as much as the singer's apartment, provides a view of the working-class people on the streets, making them realize the hard life some people lead. The song then talks about a man being made a monster, fattened up like a calf before a slaughter, but he has had enough of the emptiness in the town.
The song is written in a clever and ironic manner, highlighting the contrast between the life of the rich and the life of the working-class in such an opulent and glittery place. The contrast makes the singer reflect on their own life, making them realize how easy it is to be drawn into the hollow lifestyle Broadway represents.
Line by Line Meaning
In a hotel room just off Times Square it's like a closet
The hotel room is small and confined, similar to a closet.
I can watch the dancing class go round
The singer has a view of a group of wealthy people partaking in dance classes.
But in a hotel room that costs as much as my apartment
Despite the high cost of the hotel room, it is not as spacious as the singer's own apartment.
I can watch the working class go down
The artist can see the struggles of the less fortunate, working class individuals from their hotel room.
And it's enough to make a crooked man go straight
The city's harsh realities can be enough to turn a deceitful individual onto the correct path.
Broadway, Broadway
The singer reflects on the overarching influence of Broadway as a symbol for the city's ills and aspirations, ultimately inescapable to visitors or natives alike.
In a hotel room just off Times Square they made a monster
The city creates something unpleasant or dangerous, with Times Square being the epitome of its problematic attributes.
He was unaware of what went down
The monster created by the city was ignorant of its own negative impact.
Fattening him up just like calf before a slaughter
The city is willing to develop and yield from an individual for profit and gain, all the while ignoring the negative impact on them as a result.
But he'd had his fill of hollow town
The monster had experienced enough of the depravity and shallowness of the city.
And it's enough to make a stupid man think straight
The troubling state of affairs depicted by the city can be enough to enlighten or motivate even an unintelligent person.
Broadway, Broadway
The artist continues to ponder the influence and influence of Broadway in shaping the city's image and realities.
And it's enough to make a crooked man go straight
Once again, the city's negative attributes have enough impact to influence even the most immoral of individuals to make better decisions.
Broadway, Broadway, Broadway, Broadway
The repetition of the word reinforces its significance in shaping the city and its inhabitants.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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