Dead End Street
Ray Davies and Friends Lyrics
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And the kitchen the
Other work ain't got no money
I song to join the bread and honey.
What are we livin' for?
Two room department on the second floor
No money coming in, and red collectors are try to get in.
We are straight the second class
And the door on the stairs (dead end)
Why we should be on dead end street
(Dead end) people are living on dead end street
(Dead end)don't wanna die on dead end street
Dead end street, dead end street
Dead end street, head to my feet.
All my frost morning
Wipe my eyes and stop me onion
And my feet are nearly frozen
And put some toast on.
What are we livin' for?
Two room department on the second floor
No chance to emigrate
And different..now it's much too late.
We both want to work so hard but we can't
Can't be changed.
(Dead end) people are living on dead end street
(Dead end)don't wanna die on dead end street
Dead end, people are dyin on dead end street
Dead end, I'm gonna die on dead end street
Dead end street, dead end street
Dead end street head to my feet.
Uh uh
We are second and we're on the
(Dead end) people are living on dead end street
(Dead end)don't wanna die on dead end street
Dead end, people are dyin on dead end street
Dead end, I'm gonna die on dead end street
Dead end street, dead end street
Dead end street head to my feet.
Dead end street, dead end street
Dead end street, dead end street
How do you feel?
I feel okay
Are you sure?
Absolutely.
Where do you live?
Nice working with you
The pleasure is all mine.
Tschus!
No problem.
Dead end street, dead end street
Dead end street head to my feet.
“Dead End Street” by Ray Davies is a song that paints a picture of poverty and hopelessness experienced by the working class living in a run-down area of the city. The lyrics describe a small two-room apartment on the second floor, with no money coming in, and the constant threat of debt collectors knocking on the door. The ceiling has a crack, the kitchen is in need of repair, and the singer can barely afford bread and honey. The repeated line “What are we living for?” highlights the desperation and hopelessness felt by those living in poverty. The song presents a bleak image of the struggles and stress that people living in poverty endure, and the feeling of being trapped in their circumstances.
As the song progresses, the singer laments the lack of opportunity for him and his partner, they both want to work hard but can’t seem to get ahead. The repeated use of the term “dead end street” emphasizes the hopelessness of their situation. The song is a call to recognize the pain and suffering of those living in poverty, and encourages the listener to empathize with their struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a crack up in the ceiling
The singer notices a split on the roof of their house
And the kitchen the
Additionally, the kitchen is in poor condition
Other work ain't got no money
The singer is currently unemployed
I song to join the bread and honey.
The artist sings in order to lift their spirits and hope for a better future
What are we livin' for?
The artist questions the purpose of their life
Two room department on the second floor
The singer lives in a small two-room apartment on the upper floors
No money coming in, and red collectors are try to get in.
The singer has no income and is being harassed by creditors to repay outstanding debts
We are straight the second class
The artist and their family belong to the lower socioeconomic class
And the door on the stairs (dead end)
The stairway leading to their apartment lacks an exit and functions as a dead end
Why we should be on dead end street
The artist ponder why their family should be living on a dead-end street
(Dead end) people are living on dead end street
The singer observes other people living similarly hopeless lives on the same street
(Dead end)don't wanna die on dead end street
The artist wishes to avoid dying on the same poverty-stricken street
Dead end street, dead end street
The singer repeats the phrase 'dead end street' to emphasize the song's title
All my frost morning
The singer describes a cold winter morning
Wipe my eyes and stop me onion
The singer wipes away tears brought on by the cold
And my feet are nearly frozen
The artist's feet are numb from the cold
And put some toast on.
The artist makes a piece of toast for breakfast in spite of their financial troubles
No chance to emigrate
The singer has no hope of moving to a different country for better opportunities
And different..now it's much too late.
The singer reflects on missed opportunities in their past
We both want to work so hard but we can't
Both the artist and their partner desire to work hard but are unable to do so
(Dead end, people are dyin on dead end street
The artist observes people on their street who are impoverished to the point of death
Dead end, I'm gonna die on dead end street
The artist expresses fear and hopelessness in the face of poverty
How do you feel?
Another person asks how the singer is feeling
I feel okay
The artist replies that they are doing alright, despite their troubles
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
birdman3120
As Geldof said about this song and 60's life, "We fondly imagine that it was all Austin Powers then. It wasn't. It was shit for most of us." Ray Davies wrote about what was actually happening during the 60's better than anyone else. Probably why the Kinks didn't have the same commercial success as other bands of the time. This song is going to be relevant again in the future with these cuts.
hatmap
Ray Davies was the best songwriter of the British Invasion bands, John Lennon and Pete Townshend tied for second place, Jagger/Richards third.
Laughing Stock
Give McCartney his due, baby, though Ray was ahead of the lot, in that we agree.
Mark Morris
Thanks for so much great music Ray. Doesn't this sound like it was written yesterday?
kingstumble
Great chord progression.
Ben Williams
Sadly he leaves out some of the chords in the early lines these days when playing with his own band.
Piggy-218
WOW--a live version of DEAD END STREET RARE!!!
kewrock
Jools Holland. Class act! I love seeing him on stage with my favorites. The shows he hosts always present the performers at their best. Great sound, lighting and always a friendly atmosphere.
dramamine
this is insane 😭i would've killed to be there
Dave Guarnieri
You know.......speechless.....Ray, THANK YOU.