2) Smith is also a D&B producer from Melbourne, Australia.
3) Smith makes beats for the soul. From Bristol, UK, having fun with I Hate Snakes! Records. Listen here: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=363571696
Born in Boston
Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
'Til you spend half your life just coverin' up
Got in a little hometown jam
So they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land
Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says, "Son if it was up to me"
Went down to see my V.A. man
He said, "Son, don't you understand"
Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Lit by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years running down the road
Nowhere to run ain't got nowhere to go
Born in the U.S.A
I was born in the U.S.A. now
Born in the U.S.A
I'm long gone Daddy in the U.S.A. now
Born in the U.S.A
Born in the U.S.A
Born in the U.S.A
I grew up, I'm gonna die here in the U.S.A.
The song "Born in Boston" by Smith delves into the experiences and struggles faced by the singer who was born in a place with a bleak atmosphere. The opening lines, "Born down in a dead man's town, The first kick I took was when I hit the ground," suggest a challenging upbringing in a place devoid of hope and opportunity. The reference to being kicked at birth symbolizes the harsh realities faced from the very beginning.
The following lines, "You end up like a dog that's been beat too much, 'Til you spend half your life just coverin' up," communicate the theme of oppression and the struggle to survive. The comparison to a beaten dog implies a sense of being abused and marginalized. The lyrics capture the struggle for self-preservation, as the individual spends a significant portion of their life hiding their vulnerabilities and protecting themselves from further harm.
The next verse explores the singer's involvement in a local conflict, "Got in a little hometown jam, So they put a rifle in my hand, Sent me off to a foreign land, Someplace they called Afghanistan." This implies the singer's forced participation in a war, possibly due to lack of options and societal pressure. The mention of "Afghanistan" suggests a war zone and the harsh realities faced in a foreign territory.
Upon returning home, the singer finds himself stuck in a cyclical existence, illustrated by the lines, "Come back home to the refinery, Hiring man says, 'Son if it was up to me,' Went down to see my V.A. man, He said, 'Son, don't you understand'." Despite serving his country, he is met with indifference and inadequate support. The reference to the refinery and the penitentiary's shadow alludes to a bleak and oppressive environment. The singer feels trapped and disillusioned, lacking opportunities and a way out.
The chorus, "Born in the U.S.A, I was born in the U.S.A. now, Born in the U.S.A, I'm long gone Daddy in the U.S.A. now," captures the contradictory nature of the American dream. While proud to have been born in the U.S.A., the singer feels disconnected from it and sees no future within its borders. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's assertion of their struggle and resignation to their fate, highlighting the sense of entrapment and abandonment.
Overall, "Born in Boston" is a poignant commentary on the hardships faced by individuals born into disadvantaged circumstances with limited opportunities. It critiques the consequences of societal neglect and explores the disillusionment experienced by those neglected by their own country.
Line by Line Meaning
Born down in a dead man's town
I was born in a place that is economically depressed and offers little opportunity for success.
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
From the moment I was born, life has been tough and challenging.
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
The constant hardships and struggles make you feel beaten and defeated.
'Til you spend half your life just coverin' up
You spend a significant amount of your life hiding your pain and putting on a brave face.
Got in a little hometown jam
I got involved in a small-town conflict or trouble.
So they put a rifle in my hand
As a result, I was drafted into the military and given a weapon.
Sent me off to a foreign land
I was sent to serve in a distant and unfamiliar country.
Someplace they called Afghanistan
Specifically, I was sent to Afghanistan for my military service.
Come back home to the refinery
Upon returning from the war, I found work at the local oil refinery.
Hiring man says, "Son if it was up to me"
The person in charge of hiring tells me that if they had the authority, they would offer me a job.
Went down to see my V.A. man
I visited the Veterans Affairs official to seek assistance and support.
He said, "Son, don't you understand"
The V.A. official tried to make me realize something important.
Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
I live in a place near a prison, where the atmosphere feels constrained and oppressive.
Lit by the gas fires of the refinery
The surroundings are illuminated by the flames of the nearby oil refinery.
I'm ten years running down the road
I have been on the run, figuratively or literally, for the past ten years.
Nowhere to run ain't got nowhere to go
I feel trapped and without any viable escape or destination.
Born in the U.S.A
I was brought into this world as a citizen of the United States of America.
I was born in the U.S.A. now
And even now, I continue to be a citizen of the United States.
I'm long gone Daddy in the U.S.A. now
I have distanced myself from my past and embraced a new identity within the United States.
Born in the U.S.A
I originated from and have roots in the United States.
I grew up, I'm gonna die here in the U.S.A.
I have spent my entire life in the United States, and here is where I will ultimately pass away.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind