Forbert signed a recording contract with Nemperor in 1978, and they released his debut album, Alive on Arrival, that same year. His song "Romeo's Tune", although "dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard" on the sleeve of Forbert's second album Jackrabbit Slim (released in 1979), is not about Supremes singer Ballard who died in 1976. "Forbert admits that Ballard became a timely connection for "Romeo's Tune", written about a girl from Meridian. "That seemed like such bad news to me and such sad news. She wasn't really taken care of by the music business, which is not a new story". At around this time critics hailed Forbert as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of Jackrabbit Slim encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Steve Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. The record was recorded in Nashville and produced by John Simon who had worked with The Band.
After many successful years, Forbert sought out new inspiration and found it when he relocated to Nashville in 1985. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.
Recent albums include Strange Names & New Sensations (2007), The Place And The Time (2009), and Over With You (2012).
www.steveforbert.com
On The Streets Of This Town
Steve Forbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And not face one more day
On the streets of this town
And all I've got to lose
Is a feelin' called the blues
And a little old frown
I signed your dotted line
And did my best at tryin'
And all I've gotten back
Is this feelin' that I lack
What I'm needing to live
And you say you don't see it
When a grown man starts to cry
You turn your face away and you walk on by
I found myself a girl
Who brightened up my world
From December to May
And then ran off with Jim
But I'll defer to him
And his purple beret
'Cause he knows how to wheel and deal
And not to feel when he's knockin' you down
And I know he'll succeed
'Cause that's just what you need
On the streets of this town
And you say you don't see it
When a grown man starts to cry
You turn your face away and you walk on by
I'll lock myself away
And not face one more day
On the streets of this town
And all I've got to lose
Is a feelin' called the blues
That's been going around
I fit your crazy norm and wore your uniform
Where you told me to go
And got back in return
This here feelin' that I've learned
What the Indians know
And you say you don't see it
When a grown man starts to cry
You turn your face away and you walk on by
By, by
In "On The Streets Of This Town," Steve Forbert sings about a person who is tired of living in the city and being stuck in a life that doesn't bring them happiness. The lyrics suggest that this person has tried many different things to try and make their life work and has not been able to find success. They are now considering locking themselves away to avoid facing another day on the streets.
The second verse describes a past relationship that ended badly for the singer. They found someone who brightened up their life, but that person ultimately left them for somebody else. The person they lost out to is described as someone who knows how to succeed in this town and doesn't let emotions get in the way. The singer seems to accept that this is what it takes to make it in the city and that it's not for them.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of hopelessness and resignation about the state of the singer's life. However, the final verses suggest that they have learned something from their experiences and are ready to move on. They refer to fitting into the "crazy norm" and wearing the "uniform" that they were told to wear, but now they are ready to follow their own path.
Overall, "On The Streets Of This Town" is a melancholy reflection on the difficulties of living in the city and the struggles that come with trying to make a life there.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll lock myself away
I will isolate myself from everything that's happening outside.
And not face one more day
I have had enough and cannot deal with anything else.
On the streets of this town
The place where everything is happening, and I'm not happy about it.
And all I've got to lose
The only things I have left to give up.
Is a feeling called the blues
It's a certain sadness/anxiety that makes me feel alone.
And a little old frown
The facial expression that shows my sadness.
I signed your dotted line
I've committed myself legally to you.
And did my best at tryin'
I tried my hardest.
Givin' all I could give
I put in all my effort.
And all I've gotten back
The result of my efforts.
Is this feelin' that I lack
What I'm left with is a sense of emptiness.
What I'm needing to live
What I require to survive in this world.
And you say you don't see it
You claim not to notice.
When a grown man starts to cry
When a man is overwhelmed with emotions.
You turn your face away and you walk on by
You choose not to intervene or offer help.
I found myself a girl
I got into a relationship.
Who brightened up my world
She cheered me up and made me happy.
From December to May
For a short period of time.
And then ran off with Jim
She left me for someone else.
But I'll defer to him
I'll let him have her.
And his purple beret
His stylish hat that makes him attractive to women.
'Cause he knows how to wheel and deal
He's good at negotiating and getting things done.
And not to feel when he's knockin' you down
He doesn't care about other people's feelings and doesn't hesitate to hurt them.
And I know he'll succeed
He'll likely achieve his goals.
'Cause that's just what you need
Because that's what people in this town want and admire.
I fit your crazy norm and wore your uniform
I acted like everyone else and followed their customs.
Where you told me to go
I did what I was instructed.
And got back in return
But the result was.
This here feelin' that I've learned
The knowledge I've gained through this experience.
What the Indians know
The wisdom of the Native American people.
By, by
Goodbye.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: S. STEPHEN FORBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Irish Rover
Another great Steve Forbert song! Every song I have ever heard that Steve wrote and performed always hints at the human condition. I love his lyrics because they always hit that feeling, emotion, and memory of what it's like living in this world around us. Thanks Steve!
Rob Bartro
Such an amazing unique voice. Not enough people know of Steve Forbert.
Dave Foss
I was managing a Sam Goody record store in Westwood NJ when this album came out and we played it constantly! Years later in '99 or 2000, I met Garry Tallent backstage after a Springsteen show. I brought up this record and "Mission Of The Crossroad Palms" to Garry (he produced both of them), and he said that he was very proud of them and most importantly said, "You'd be hard-pressed to find a better songwriter than Steve."
I was in the front row of Steve's Philly concert in the late-70's and I'm still listening today. Thanks for all the great music throughout the years!
Greg Weatherford
Great record — love the remastered version even more! It brings out the beauty. Fantastic release, thank you!
Gerard Ryan
Love his voice full of emotion great melodies too.
joeboab11
One of Steve's classics...
Russ Teeden
Forgot how much i loved this song and album.Thanks Steve for many great and relatable songs.Saw you years back on Main street ,in Rhode Island.Good show
Beachmountain
Amazing artist and songwriting quality.
Doug Dobbins
Another great performance of a great song!
Elmo Landcaster
Great song, great video, great vocal Steve. Gotta get my old vinyl out and revisit it…