In April 1967 they released their last record, produced by The Tokens
see also The Cinderellas
Songs:
* "Chains" (#17 pop charts)
* "In Paradise" (#9 R&B hit 1956)
* "Don't Say Nothing Bad (About My Baby)" (#3 R&B charts, #7 pop charts, 1963)
* "Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys" (#33 R&B charts, #33 pop charts, 1963)
On Broadway
The Cookies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On Broadway
They say there's always magic in the air
But when you're walkin' down that street
And you ain't have enough to eat
The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
They say the women treat you fine
But lookin' at them just gives me the blues
How ya gonna make some time
When all you got is one thin dime
And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
They say that I won't last too long
On Broadway
I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home they all say
But they get wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar
I won't quit till I'm a star
On Broadway
On Broadway
On Broadway
The lyrics to The Cookies' song On Broadway explores the intriguing side of Broadway. The first lines of the song, "They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway, they say there's always magic in the air" sets the stage for the song's message - the illusion of glamour and success. The neon lights and the magic in the air connote the glitzy atmosphere of Broadway, but as the song unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that the scene is not as rosy as it seems. As much as the glamour on Broadway is undeniable, when you're walking down that street, and you haven't eaten, the lights and magic lose their sparkle, and you're nowhere, highlighting the thin line between success and failure.
The women on Broadway, they say, treat you fine, but looking at them, just gives the singer blues. Here, we get a glimpse of the struggles and realities beneath the advertised glitz. How can one make time when there's a scarcity of money, and one thin dime won't even shine your shoes? The singer is aware of what the people say, that he won't last too long on Broadway, and that he'll catch a greyhound back home. But, he knows they are all wrong, and he's going to keep going until he's a star. The lyrics convey a message of persistence, of never giving up on your dreams, and that with determination and hard work, anyone can make it to the top.
Line by Line Meaning
They say the neon lights are bright
There's a general sentiment that Broadway is glamorous and bright.
On Broadway
Broadway is the place where the rest of the song takes place.
They say there's always magic in the air
People believe that Broadway is a magical place.
But when you're walkin' down that street and you ain't had enough to eat
Broadway may not be so magical when you're hungry and don't have enough money.
The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
The glamour of Broadway is fleeting when you're struggling to survive.
They say the women treat you fine
People believe that the women on Broadway are attractive and treat you well.
But lookin' at them just gives me the blues
The singer doesn't feel good looking at the women because he doesn't have enough money to enjoy their company.
How ya gonna make some time when all you got is one thin dime
The artist can't afford to spend time with the women because he only has ten cents to his name.
And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
Ten cents may seem like a lot, but it's not enough to buy basic necessities.
They say that I won't last too long on Broadway
The artist doesn't have high hopes for his future on Broadway.
I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home they all say
People believe that the singer will give up and go back home on a Greyhound bus.
But they get wrong, I know they are 'cause I can play this here guitar
The artist believes that he can succeed on Broadway because he has a talent for playing guitar.
I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway
The singer is driven to become a star on Broadway.
On Broadway
Repeating the title emphasizes the singer's desire to succeed on Broadway.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL, JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
perez moore
The only problem I have with this song is that it is too damn short.
Chris Mulwee
@michael Kappes Interesting to hear the origins of this song. But to me, the DEFINITIVE one is The Drifters' recording.
michael Kappes
I hear you on that -- but producers tried to keep songs to two minutes for DJs to time them for airplay back then
John Steelman
No lead guitar in the song ? Phil Spector put a lead guitar part in it.....
michael Kappes
I think it sounds cleaner without the guitar -- and I like this version better than the one the Crystals sang