Life In The Streets
Prince Ital Joe & Marky Mark Lyrics
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Ha, yeah. I know what you're all thinking
That this is some old Janet Jackson type of @#!
But it ain't about that
This if the real, the street life trauma
Yo, I grew up rough in the streets of Boston, Massachusetts
Lived real ruthless, a wild kid, out to get a bid
Had to learn the hard way
That some day you gotta pay
So what the hey, I say
Prince Ital Joe:
Life in the streets ain't easy
All I see is pain and misery
I kneel and pray for the betrayed
Strength and protection to survive in the society
This is the life in the streets
And that's how we live it
Marky Mark:
Hard and mean at sixteen, livin' like a beam, theme
Out scheming for the green
Quick to kill, I gets ill, I make ya blood spill
I cut ya throat for your goose-down coat
'cause statistic show that kids with no dough
Ain't got no chance, got nowhere to go
That's why life on the streets is like a trifular beat
It'll echo in ya head till you're dead on the concrete
Prince Ital Joe:
Life in the streets is a mystery
Don't know my friends from my enemies
Up to lot, could be trouble
But I'll hold tight and I will never give up the fight
(Chorus)
This one is dedicated to all the homeless people
To every youth that's growin' up on the streets
You know, we're living for a dream one day
That there'll be no more homeless people in the world
Life in the streets is not easy
The song "Life in the Streets" by Prince Ital Joe featuring Marky Mark is a commentary on the harsh reality of the urban life that they have experienced. The singer in the song, Marky Mark claims that he has grown up rough and wild on the streets of Boston. He reminisces about his past and his ruthless behaviour as a kid out to get a bid. He admits to doing things he shouldn't have done and having to pay the price for it. The harsh realities of the streets taught him that life in the streets is like a trifular beat that echoes in your head till you're dead on the concrete. He implies that in the streets, only the fittest survive. Marky's experiences mimic what many young people experience growing up in the urban areas. The lyrics, therefore, represent an outsider's perspective or commentary on urban poverty, youth violence, and uncertainties that come with living in the neighbourhood.
On the other hand, Prince Ital Joe in his reggae-infused verse view, the street experience as a mystery. He claims that he doesn't know his friends from his enemies, but he stays prepared for any trouble that comes his way. He prays for protection and strength to survive in society. The lyrics imply that life in the streets is often unpredictable, and those who live there need strength and protection to get through it. The chorus is a dedication to the homeless people and anyone that has grown up on the streets. It aims to inspire people to keep fighting for a world where there'll be no more homeless people.
Line by Line Meaning
Ha, yeah. I know what you're all thinking
Marky Mark sets the tone of the song with a confident statement, showing that he's aware of how the lyrics might be perceived by the listener.
That this is some old Janet Jackson type of @#! But it ain't about that
Marky Mark dismisses any notion of this song being mainstream pop, and instead asserts that it deals with real issues found in street life.
This is the real, the street life trauma
Marky Mark emphasizes the raw, painful reality of living in the streets and hints at the trauma that he and others around him have experienced.
Yo, I grew up rough in the streets of Boston, Massachusetts
Marky Mark shares his personal experience growing up in a gritty area of Boston, setting the stage for the rest of the song.
Lived real ruthless, a wild kid, out to get a bid
Marky Mark confesses to behaving with a lack of concern for anyone else, focused solely on getting what he wants or needs.
Did some #@! that he never shoulda did
Marky Mark alludes to engaging in illegal or immoral activities that he now regrets doing.
Had to learn the hard way
Marky Mark suggests that he learned the valuable lessons of life through personal experience, rather than gaining them through a conventional education.
That some day you gotta pay
Marky Mark acknowledges the inevitability of consequences, especially for the choices made in street life.
So what the hey, I say
Marky Mark shrugs off past mistakes and presents himself as an individual in charge of his own life, choosing to move forward.
Life in the streets ain't easy
Prince Ital Joe underscores the harshness of living in the streets, emphasizing difficulty and hardship.
All I see is pain and misery
Prince Ital Joe states that suffering is ubiquitous in the streets, driving home the severity of the situation.
I kneel and pray for the betrayed
Prince Ital Joe suggests the importance of faith and hope in an increasingly unstable environment, specifically praying for those who have been wronged.
Strength and protection to survive in the society
Prince Ital Joe calls upon a higher power to provide support and safeguards for those who need it most, in order to survive in a harsh social climate.
This is the life in the streets
Prince Ital Joe repeats the title of the song as a reminder of the subject matter at hand.
And that's how we live it
Prince Ital Joe makes a definitive statement that the street life chronicled in the song is the only reality for many people.
Hard and mean at sixteen, livin' like a beam, theme
Marky Mark describes his younger self as both unyielding and focused on his goals.
Out scheming for the green
Marky Mark is dedicated and pragmatic when it comes to accruing financial resources, using any means necessary.
Quick to kill, I gets ill, I make ya blood spill
Marky Mark reveals the violent tendencies he had in the past, unafraid and willing to harm others in order to advance his own goals.
I cut ya throat for your goose-down coat
Marky Mark uses this hyperbolic imagery to illustrate his readiness to commit a cruel act for material gain.
'cause statistic show that kids with no dough
Marky Mark cites a known trend to support his reasoning for prioritizing wealth acquisition over other options.
Ain't got no chance, got nowhere to go
Marky Mark implies that those who don't have financial resources don't have the opportunities and choices available to those who do.
That's why life on the streets is like a trifular beat
Marky Mark uses the metaphor of a complex rhythm to paint a picture of the multi-faceted reality of street life.
It'll echo in ya head till you're dead on the concrete
Marky Mark suggests that street life seeps into peoples' minds and changes them irrevocably, often leading to their untimely deaths in violent ways.
Life in the streets is a mystery
Prince Ital Joe notes that the constant unpredictability of street life makes it almost impossible to navigate with certainty.
Don't know my friends from my enemies
Prince Ital Joe struggles with trust issues, unable to discern between true friends and cunning enemies in his environment.
Up to lot, could be trouble
Prince Ital Joe recognizes that danger can come from a variety of sources in the street life he inhabits, and warns of possible future problems.
But I'll hold tight and I will never give up the fight
Prince Ital Joe remains resolved, showing that he's committed to persisting through the difficulties he currently faces.
(Chorus)
The chorus repeats the title of the song while effectively summarizing the main theme or message of the entire song.
This one is dedicated to all the homeless people
The artists dedicate the song to those who are severely disadvantaged and suffering in their respective situations.
To every youth that's growin' up on the streets
The song is also addressed to younger generations who are similarly enduring difficult times in their own lives, which applies to those who are still trying to survive also.
You know, we're living for a dream one day
The artists express hope for a changed and improved future that they're all working towards, as a kind of guiding vision for their experiences.
That there'll be no more homeless people in the world
The goal of an altogether better world is specified with the lack of homelessness used as a marker or signpost for that future.Together the song's main idea is to provide an unfiltered look at the world of street life while also hopefully providing hope and guidance for those who are living in it themselves.
Life in the streets is not easy
Prince Ital Joe emphasizes the difficulty of living in such an environment, which may be a continuous challenge for those who inhabit it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANK PETERSON, ALEX CHRISTENSEN, MARK WAHLBERG, JOSEPH PAQUETTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LosDakawa
I saw Mark in the 90's. After a concert in Frankfurt Germany he went out and greeted fans who were still waiting in front of the hall. There weren't many left and he said a few nice words to everyone in the line! He was so welcoming and nice! I was a teenager in the 90s and fondly remember that wonderful time.
@Andy20002010
Das waren noch Zeiten, die Musik in den 90er Jahren war einfach toll. Ich bin damals als Life in the streets in den Charts war noch in die Schule gegangen und habe dieses Lied sehr gerne gehört. Ich finde es heute noch extrem entspannend und höre es vor allem auf der Autobahn wahnsinnig gerne, irgendwie beruhigt es sehr beim Autofahren. Ja ja, die guten alten 90er Jahre sind viel zu schnell vergangen, schade, aber die Musik, die bleibt.
@matthewgonnello7331
One of the most underrated songs in history
@TheNickPenney
@Way 2 Go 100%
@souljah2k6
WOW...I clicked on this song..and thought this exact same thing..😅 before I commented..I saw this post! 😂👏👏
@amoritarandall6738
I was in the military. I love this movie. You can't say that just because you weren't taught that you are stupid. Becoming brothers and sisters is one common goal. We usually have messed up individuals who can change for the better.
@Fidziak29
Prince RIP. i Marky Mark - czasy jakie będę wspominał zawsze, najlepsze klimaty. Pozdrawiam rocznik 79 :D AWESOMEEEEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Twinmom87
Was bleibt ist die Erinnerung und die Musik aus der besten Zeit. Jeder Song einfach zeitlos
@benjaminhinsen8712
Was bin ich froh diese Zeit miterlebt zu haben,90er die geilste Zeit dies gab!🤗
@izubCologne
Absolut