City Boy
The Brandals Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Once there was a tale that everyone knew about
A boy who walked the street, black and blue

Stories been told and passed along
That the boy leave no trail of his word and clues

Carry his burden and pain all along
Through the darkest night under cruel city light

Cold and bitter tastes of dusty road
Is the only thing that keeps him going through and through

City boy you’re always lost and never found
Ain’t nothin’ but love, will keep on bringing you down
Only love will take you down, under the ground
Ain’t nothin’ but love, will keep on bringing you down
Keep on, keep on coming…coming down! Going down!

People keep stabbing you on the back.
Pretty girls, they only love coke and cash in stack.

Young blood keeps dancing around and round
Getting all loved-up, keep moving on non-stop

Shooting up like the living dead
The queen of back alley sloppy coming, giving head





Sick and tired looking for one-way out
But the street reminds him always he got no time to quit

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Brandals's song "City Boy" depict a tale of a boy who navigates the harsh realities of city life. The opening lines introduce this well-known story of a boy who roams the streets, visibly battered and bruised. The following lines suggest that the boy is elusive, leaving no traces or clues behind as he goes about his life.


The lyrics then highlight the immense burden and pain that the boy carries with him, enduring the darkness of the night illuminated only by the unforgiving city lights. The dusty road becomes a metaphorical representation of the boy's only source of strength, as it is what enables him to continue on his journey through the trials and tribulations of city life.


The chorus further explores the theme of love and its destructive nature. The city boy is portrayed as constantly lost and never found, and it is love itself that brings him down. The repetition of the phrase "Ain't nothin' but love, will keep on bringing you down" emphasizes the relentless cycle of heartbreak and disappointment that the boy experiences.


The following verses shed light on the treacherous nature of the city and its inhabitants. The boy is constantly stabbed in the back by those around him, and even the allure of pretty girls is reduced to their love for material possessions such as drugs and money. The youth in the city perpetually engage in a hedonistic lifestyle, constantly moving and seeking temporary love and distraction.


The lyrics take a darker turn as they mention the use of drugs and graphic sexual encounters. The boy is portrayed as sick and tired, desperately searching for an escape from this relentless cycle. However, he is reminded by the harsh reality of the streets that quitting is not an option for him.


Overall, "City Boy" encapsulates the story of a young individual who is trapped in the unforgiving environment of the city, navigating through pain, betrayal, and the pursuit of temporary love and escape.


Line by Line Meaning

Once there was a tale that everyone knew about
There was a widely known story


A boy who walked the street, black and blue
A boy who went through hardships and physical abuse


Stories been told and passed along
The stories have been shared and handed down


That the boy leave no trail of his word and clues
The boy didn't leave any evidence or hints behind


Carry his burden and pain all along
He carried his hardships and suffering constantly


Through the darkest night under cruel city light
Enduring difficult times in the city's harsh environment


Cold and bitter tastes of dusty road
Experiencing the harsh reality of life on the streets


Is the only thing that keeps him going through and through
It's the only motivation that keeps him moving forward


City boy you’re always lost and never found
The city boy always feels lost and unrecognized


Ain’t nothin’ but love, will keep on bringing you down
Love, in this context, leads to disappointment and downfall


Only love will take you down, under the ground
Love is the only thing that can bring him to his lowest point


Ain’t nothin’ but love, will keep on bringing you down
Love continues to bring him down


Keep on, keep on coming…coming down! Going down!
Continuously falling into despair


People keep stabbing you on the back
People betray you and criticize you behind your back


Pretty girls, they only love coke and cash in stack
Attractive girls are only interested in materialistic things


Young blood keeps dancing around and round
Youth keep indulging in reckless behavior


Getting all loved-up, keep moving on non-stop
They keep seeking love and excitement without rest


Shooting up like the living dead
Rapidly spiraling down like those who are already dead inside


The queen of back alley sloppy coming, giving head
Engaging in promiscuous and degrading activities


Sick and tired looking for one-way out
Feeling exhausted while searching for an escape


But the street reminds him always he got no time to quit
The street constantly reminds him that he can't give up




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: The Brandals, Eka Annash

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

More Versions