Skid Row
Rick Moranis & 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 lyrics of "Skid Row" sung by Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene from "Little Shop of Horrors" paint a vivid picture of the struggles faced by individuals living in Skid Row, a poverty-stricken area where life is difficult and dreams seem out of reach. The song captures the daily routine of the characters, starting with the alarm going off at seven and the mundane existence of working uptown for the powers that be. The contrast is stark when they go downtown, where the people are broke, life is a joke, and the reality of their situation hits hard. The repetition of "Home to Skid Row" emphasizes the never-ending cycle of struggle and despair.
The lyrics highlight the harsh realities of life in both uptown and downtown areas. Uptown workers cater to bosses who take advantage of them, while downtown is a place where relationships are doomed to fail and the atmosphere is bleak. The mention of hot-dog carts and disinfecting bathroom floors paints a picture of low-wage, menial jobs that offer little hope for advancement. The struggles faced by the characters are palpable, and the desperation to escape this life is evident in their words and emotions.
Rick Moranis' character shares his personal story of poverty and hardship, emphasizing his background as an orphan and his current status as someone who is treated like dirt. His plea for a way out of Skid Row is heartfelt and poignant, reflecting the longing for a better life and a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. The lyrics capture the inner turmoil and frustration of being trapped in a situation with seemingly no way out, as Moranis sings about constantly praying and yearning for a chance to escape.
The final verses of the song bring together the voices of Moranis and Greene, expressing the shared desire to leave Skid Row behind and make a better life for themselves. Their determination and resilience shine through as they express their willingness to do whatever it takes to break free from the cycle of poverty and despair. The repeated refrain of "Gotta get outta Skid Row" echoes the universal longing for a brighter future and a sense of hope for a better tomorrow. The song encapsulates the struggles, dreams, and aspirations of those living in impoverished conditions, resonating with listeners on a deeply emotional level.
Line by Line Meaning
Alarm goes off at seven and you start uptown.
Every day starts early for you as you head to work in the city.
You put in your eight hours for the powers that have always been. Til it's five p.m.
You work tirelessly for the established authorities until the end of your shift.
Downtown, Where the folks are broke.
In the city center, people struggle financially.
Downtown, Where your life's a joke.
In the city center, your existence feels like a comedy of errors.
Where the cabs don't stop.
In the busy downtown area, taxis are constantly in motion.
Uptown you cater to a million jerks, Uptown your messengers and mailroom clerks
In the wealthy part of town, you serve unkind individuals and low-level employees.
You disinfect terrazzo on their bathroom floors
You clean and sanitize fancy bathroom flooring.
Downtown, where the guys are drips.
In the city center, you encounter unpleasant men.
I keep asking God what I'm for, And he tells me, 'Gee, I'm not sure... Sweep that floor, kid'
Questioning your purpose in life only brings mundane tasks as an answer.
That's your home address, ya live downtown.
The city center is where you reside, reflecting the chaos in your life.
Someone show me a way to get outa here, Cause I constantly pray I'll get outa here
Hope for an escape from this difficult situation is a persistent desire.
Bid the gutter farewell and get outta here
Saying goodbye to the despair and poverty of the area is a dream.
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