There Goes the Neighborhood
Sheryl Crow Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey let's party let's get down
Let's turn the radio on this is the meltdown
Get out the camera take a picture
The drag Queens and the freaks are all out on the town

And cowboy Jane's in bed
Nursin' a swollen head
Sunshine Sally and Peter Ustanov
Don't like the scene anyhow
I dropped acid on a Saturday night
Just to see what the fuss was about
Now there goes the neighborhood

Photo chick made to look sickly
Is standin' in her panties in the shower
She plays the guitar in the bathroom
While the police dust her mother's plastic flowers

And schoolboy John's in jail
Makin' a killin' through the U.S. mail

Sunshine Sally and Peter Ustanov
Don't like the scene anyhow
I dropped acid on a Saturday night
Just to see what the fuss was about
There goes the neighborhood
Neighborhood, now there goes the neighborhood

This is the movie of the screenplay
Of the book about a girl who meets a junkie
The messenger gets shot down
Just for carryin' the message to a flunkies
We can't be certain who the villains are
'cause everyone's so pretty
But the after party's sure to be
A wing ding as it moves into your city

Sunshine Sally and Peter Ustanov
Don't like the scene anyhow
I dropped acid on a Saturday night
Just to see what the stink was about

Sunshine Sally and Peter Ustanov
Don't like the scene anyhow
I dropped acid on a Saturday night
Just to see what the fuss was about




Now there goes the neighborhood
An' there goes the neighborhood

Overall Meaning

"There Goes The Neighborhood" by Sheryl Crow is a song that takes a sarcastic look at the changes happening in her neighborhood, as the drag queens, freaks, and misfits take to the streets to party, much to the disdain of the more conservative residents. The first verse starts with the call to party, and the images of the drag queens and freaks on the streets. However, it's not all fun and games as Cowboy Jane is at home, possibly nursing a hangover. In the second verse, we see the darker side of the scene with Photo Chick looking sickly and playing the guitar in the bathroom, while schoolboy John is in jail.


The song repeats the chorus twice, highlighting the contrast between the wild scene on the streets and the disapproving residents like Sunshine Sally and Peter Ustanov. The bridge describes the scene in ironic detail, as if it were a movie or a book about a girl who meets a junkie, without revealing who the villains are as everyone looks pretty. The after-party is sure to move into the city, implying that this is not an isolated incident but a growing trend.


Overall, the song reflects the changing times, the clash between different cultures and lifestyles, and the disapproval of the conservative residents. The partying and drug references add a rebellious tone to the song, while Sheryl Crow's voice and catchy melody make it fun and enjoyable to listen to.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey let's party let's get down
Let's celebrate and have a good time


Let's turn the radio on this is the meltdown
Let's turn on the music and party hard


Get out the camera take a picture
Let's capture this moment and make a memory


The drag Queens and the freaks are all out on the town
The unconventional and misunderstood people are out having fun and living their lives


And cowboy Jane's in bed Nursin' a swollen head
Even the tough and strong people have their vulnerable moments


Sunshine Sally and Peter Ustanov Don't like the scene anyhow
Some people don't approve of this kind of lifestyle and behavior


I dropped acid on a Saturday night Just to see what the fuss was about
I experimented with drugs out of curiosity


Now there goes the neighborhood
The neighborhood is changing and becoming more wild and unconventional


Photo chick made to look sickly Is standin' in her panties in the shower
Even the seemingly perfect and beautiful people have their flaws and insecurities


She plays the guitar in the bathroom While the police dust her mother's plastic flowers
She finds solace in playing music while the authorities investigate her home


And schoolboy John's in jail Makin' a killin' through the U.S. mail
Even the seemingly innocent and young people can be involved in illegal activities


This is the movie of the screenplay Of the book about a girl who meets a junkie The messenger gets shot down Just for carryin' the message to a flunkies
This is a story about the dangers and pitfalls of associating with drug addicts and criminals


We can't be certain who the villains are 'cause everyone's so pretty
It's hard to distinguish between the good and the bad people because everyone looks normal and attractive


But the after party's sure to be A wing ding as it moves into your city
The party will continue on and spread to other areas


Now there goes the neighborhood An' there goes the neighborhood
The neighborhood is changing and becoming more wild and unconventional




Lyrics Β© Alfred, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFF TROTT, SHERYL CROW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@jtarantula3390

Lyrics πŸŽ‰

Hey let's party, let's get down, let's turn the radio on
This is the meltdown
Get out the camera, take a picture
The drag queens and freaks are all out on the town
And Cowboy Jane's in bed
Nursing a swollen head
Sunshine Sally and Peter Ustanov
Don't like the scene anyhow
I dropped acid on a Saturday night just to see what the fuss was about
Now there goes the neighborhood
The photo chick made to look sickly is standing in her panties, in the shower
She plays guitar in the bathroom while the police dust her mother's plastic flowers
And Schoolboy John's in jail
Making a killing through the U.S. Mail
Sunshine Sally and Peter Ustanov
Don't like the scene anyhow
I dropped acid on a Saturday night just to see what the fuss was about
Now there goes the neighborhood
Neighborhood
Now there goes the neighborhood
This is the movie of the screenplay of the book about a girl who meets a junkie
The messenger gets shot down just for carrying the messages to a flunky
We can't be certain who the villains are 'cause everyone's so pretty
But the after party's sure to be a wing-ding as it moves into your city, oh
Sunshine Sally and Peter Ustanov
Don't like the scene anyhow
I dropped acid on a Saturday night just to see what the stink was about
Sunshine Sally and Peter Ustanov
Don't like the scene anyhow
I dropped acid on a Saturday night just to see what the fuss was about
There goes the neighborhood
Oh,
Now there goes the neighborhood



All comments from YouTube:

@CatchYourWave

Who else misses these saturated fishcam videos shown in MTV? I don't know... they're not the best-looking, but you know the artist was having fun.

@fredfredburger5150

"We can't be certain who the villains are cause everyones so pretty" - now that's a line!

@krackajoe5630

This is so hot!!!

@AcidQueen08

"This is the movie of the screenplay of the book about a girl who meets a junkie" 🎢
One of my favourite Sheryl Crow lyrics πŸ‘Œ

@chrisroach8982

Globe Sessions was killer....

@mkernen

I still kick that CD into the dash! I'm lucky I have a vehicle that still has a CD player...

@dev_john_

@@mkernendamn right!!! same here

@lost_boy

Love this track. Definitely her finest album.

@mikeantonio2652

Is and always has been my favorite ever driving song! Love this woman!!!

@blackvirgo09

I'm driving now

More Comments

More Versions