Ghetto Girl
Simply Red Lyrics
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That little girl was born on the ghetto side of town
She knows every trick in the book and she certainly gets around
She's been with many men since she was only ten
She never stay at home she 's always on the town
Your mamma is wondering where you are
What do you see at night when you're under the stars
Stay at home
Sister stay at home
Don't let your mamma down
Don't be a run around
Stay at home
Sister stay at home
Don't let your mother down
Don't be a run around
Stay at home now
That little girl was born on the ghetto side of town
She knows every trick in the book and she certainly gets around
She's been with many men since she was only ten
She never stay at home she's always on the town
Your mamma is wondering where you are
What do you see at night when you're under the stars
Baby keep on running and you won't get far
You like to travel with all those movie stars
You like a hangin' in the big long shiny cars
Sister stay at home
Don't let your mamma down no no no no
The lyrics to Simply Red's "Ghetto Girl" paint a vivid picture of a young girl who was born on the "ghetto side" of town and has rapidly matured beyond her years. She has already been with "many men" since the age of ten, making it clear that she is not interested in staying at home, as she is always on the town. This causes concern for her mother, who wonders where she is at night when she is out under the stars.
The song becomes a warning to the girl, encouraging her to adhere to her responsibilities and remain at home. The lyrics make it clear that she should avoid becoming a "runaround" and should not disappoint her mother. The repeated refrain, "Stay at home now, sister stay at home" highlights the importance of this message.
Overall, the song conveys the damaging effects of growing up too quickly and the importance of familial responsibility. The lyrics warn against neglecting these responsibilities and instead encouraging a more stable and responsible lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Stay at home now
The singer urges the girl to stay at home.
That little girl was born on the ghetto side of town
The girl grew up in a poor neighborhood.
She knows every trick in the book and she certainly gets around
The girl is experienced and promiscuous.
She's been with many men since she was only ten
The girl has engaged in sexual activity from a very young age.
She never stay at home she 's always on the town
The girl never stays home and is always out.
Your mamma is wondering where you are
The girl's mother is worried about her whereabouts.
What do you see at night when you're under the stars
The singer questions what the girl is doing out at night.
Stay at home
The singer once again urges the girl to stay home.
Sister stay at home
The singer calls the girl his sister and urges her to stay home.
Don't let your mamma down
The singer wants the girl to avoid making her mother worried or disappointed.
Don't be a run around
The singer wants the girl to avoid being promiscuous and irresponsible.
You like to travel with all those movie stars
The girl enjoys being around famous people and living a glamorous lifestyle.
You like a hangin' in the big long shiny cars
The girl likes to ride around in fancy cars.
Baby keep on running and you won't get far
If the girl continues with her current lifestyle, she won't be successful in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DENNIS BROWN, ERROL THOMPSON, OZZIE ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kay
on Picture Book
Ive always heard it was a reference to the list of names of African Americans who were allowed to go to the cinema in around the desegregation era.
Lowell
on Wonderland
In my opinion this song is a commentary, and criticism, of British life under Margaret Thatcher, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990, when this tune was released. "The end of an era / our future no clearer / my people no stronger / the blame I lay on her" might suggest disappointment with Thatcher's promised reforms of British government. The refrain "wonderland, wonderland / it's beautiful" sounds like a political slogan, promising a new life for all "...until tomorrow comes to haunt us all".