Summer in the City
Standells Lyrics

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Hot town, summer in the city, back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn't it a pity, doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city
All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head.

But at night it's a different world, go out and find a girl
Come on come on and dance all night despite the heat it'll be alright
And babe, don't you know it's a pity

That the days can't be like the nights
In the summer, in the city, in the summer, in the city.

Cool town, evening in the city, dressing so fine and looking so pretty
Cool cat, looking for a kitty, gonna look in every corner of the city
Till I'm wheezing at a bus stop
Running up the stairs, gonna meet you at the rooftop.

But at night it's a different world, go out and find a girl
Come on come on and dance all night despite the heat it'll be alright
And babe, don't you know it's a pity
That the days can't be like the nights
In the summer, in the city, in the summer, in the city.

Hot town, summer in the city, back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn't it a pity, doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city
All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head.

But at night it's a different world, go out and find a girl
Come on come on and dance all night despite the heat it'll be alright
And babe, don't you know it's a pity

That the days can't be like the nights
In the summer, in the city, in the summer, in the city.

Overall Meaning

The Standells' "Summer In the City" portrays a disenchantment with the urban environment during the summer months. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery, evoking the sensory experience of a sweltering city: "hot town," "back of my neck getting dirty and gritty," "walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head." The song suggests that the oppressive heat can make people feel rundown and lethargic, as seen in the lines "Been down, isn't it a pity, doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city/ All around, people looking half dead."

However, the song also emphasizes that the city comes alive at night. The lyrics express a longing to escape the heat and monotony of the day and seek out excitement in the after-hours scene: "But at night it's a different world, go out and find a girl/ Come on come on and dance all night despite the heat it'll be alright." The song highlights the contrast between the stifling conditions of the daytime and the vibrant energy of the nighttime, ultimately proposing that summer in the city is best experienced after dark.

Overall, "Summer In the City" is a classic piece of rock music that captures the essence of urban life during the sweltering summer months. Its iconic chorus has been featured in various films, TV shows, and commercials, cementing its status as a timeless summer anthem.

Line by Line Meaning

Hot town, summer in the city, back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
The city is hot and dirty during summer days, and the singer's neck is sweaty and uncomfortable as a result.

Been down, isn't it a pity, doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city
The singer is feeling down, and there's no respite from the unrelenting heat of the city.

All around, people looking half dead
The heat is taking a toll on everyone in the city, and people are tired and lethargic.

Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head.
The pavement on the sidewalk is so hot that it feels like it could ignite at any moment.

But at night it's a different world, go out and find a girl
Despite the uncomfortable days, the nights are cooler and full of possibility for fun and romance.

Come on come on and dance all night despite the heat it'll be alright
The singer encourages the listener to enjoy the night and dance despite the heat because it will be worth it in the end.

And babe, don't you know it's a pity, That the days can't be like the nights
The singer laments that the days are not as enjoyable as the nights, which are filled with excitement and passion.

In the summer, in the city, in the summer, in the city.
The artist reflects on the unique energy and vibe of summer in the city, both during the days and nights.

Cool town, evening in the city, dressing so fine and looking so pretty
The city takes on a different, more elegant vibe during the cooler evenings, and people dress up and look their best.

Cool cat, looking for a kitty, gonna look in every corner of the city
The artist, feeling suave and confident, sets out to find a romantic partner and will search everywhere to find them.

Till I'm wheezing at a bus stop, Running up the stairs, gonna meet you at the rooftop.
The singer expends a lot of energy searching for their love interest, panting at a bus stop and running up stairs to meet them on a rooftop.

Contributed by Scarlett L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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