Don't Stop Believin'
The Clef Hangers Lyrics


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Just a small town girl
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in south Detroit
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere
A singer in a smoky room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlights, people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night
Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'




Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people

Overall Meaning

The Clef Hangers' song "Don't Stop Believin'" is a classic rock anthem about chasing one's dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem. The song tells the story of two individuals - a small-town girl and a city boy - who take the midnight train in search of their dreams. Along the way, they encounter various struggles and obstacles, but they never give up hope. The chorus, "don't stop believin', hold on to the feelin'" serves as a reminder to the listener to never let go of their aspirations.


The lyrics, "a singer in a smoky room, a smell of wine and cheap perfume" conjure up vivid images of a run-down bar, where the characters are struggling to make ends meet but are still pursuing their love of music. The line "streetlights, people" serves as a nod to the city nightlife and the idea of people being drawn to the energy and vibrancy of urban areas. The song's lyrics overall reflect the universally relatable themes of perseverance, longing, and hope.


Line by Line Meaning

Just a small town girl
A girl from a small town


Livin' in a lonely world
Living in a world where she is alone


She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
She left her town without a specific destination in mind by taking a midnight train


Just a city boy
A boy from the city


Born and raised in south Detroit
He was born and raised in the southern part of Detroit


He took the midnight train goin' anywhere
He left his home without a specific destination in mind by taking a midnight train


A singer in a smoky room
A person who sings in a room filled with smoke from cigarettes or other sources


A smell of wine and cheap perfume
The room has a scent of wine and cheap fragrance


For a smile they can share the night
People in the room can have a good time together by sharing a smile with each other


It goes on and on, and on, and on
The night and the experiences continue endlessly


Strangers waiting
People who do not know each other waiting


Up and down the boulevard
On the main street of the city


Their shadows searching in the night
Their shadows are cast as they search for something in the dark


Streetlights, people
People under the streetlights


Living just to find emotion
Living in search of feelings


Hiding somewhere in the night
The emotions that they are looking for are hidden somewhere in the night


Working hard to get my fill
Working hard to get what one desires


Everybody wants a thrill
Everyone desires excitement


Payin' anything to roll the dice
Taking risks in the hopes of getting what one desires


Just one more time
Willing to try one more time to get what one desires


Some will win, some will lose
The outcome of trying is that some will succeed and some will fail


Some were born to sing the blues
There are individuals who are destined to be unhappy and melancholic


Oh, the movie never ends
The night and the experiences are like an endless movie


It goes on and on, and on, and on
The night, experiences, and movie never end


Don't stop believin'
Do not stop believing in the possibility of finding what one is looking for


Hold on to the feelin'
Hold on to the optimistic feeling that things will work out


Streetlights, people
People under the streetlights


Don't stop believin'
Do not stop believing in the possibility of finding what one is looking for


Hold on
Hold on to hope


Streetlights, people
People under the streetlights


Don't stop believin'
Do not stop believing in the possibility of finding what one is looking for


Hold on to the feelin'
Hold on to the optimistic feeling that things will work out


Streetlights, people
People under the streetlights




Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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