The Dickies' style was campy and humorous with obvious influences from the Ramones. They were extremely popular in the UK and had a top 10 hit with "Banana Splits (Tra La La Song)" in 1979; oddly enough, many of their lyrics were about aspects of Southern California life not easily decipherable to those unfamiliar with the region, in songs like "Waterslide", "I'm A Chollo", "Manny, Moe and Jack", and "(I'm Stuck in a Pagoda with) Tricia Toyota", which is about a local TV news anchorwoman.
Drug problems slowed them down considerably in the 1980s, but they have continued playing and recording sporadically to the present day. In 1988 they did the theme music for the cult classic movie Killer Klowns from Outer Space.
Former Dickies guitarist Steven Fryette, who laughingly claims to have been one of the few who "survived" being in The Dickies, now designs and manufactures guitar amplifiers from his FRYETTE Amplification studios in Burbank, California. His FRYETTE (formerly VHT) amps are known worldwide, and have been used by many of today's top Heavy Metal and Rock touring acts, including Helmet, Danzig, Prong, Children Of Bodom, and many others.
Town Without Pity
The Dickies Lyrics
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And bewildered by the world we see
Why do people get a soul
Ony those in love would know
What a town without pity can do
If we stop to gaze upon a star
People talk about how "bad" we are
We're like tigers in a cage
What a town without pity can do
The young have problems
Many problems
We need an understanding heart
Why don't they help us
Try to help us
Before this plain granted planet falls apart
Take these eager lips and hold me fast
I'm afraid this kind of joy can't last
How can we keep love alive
How can anything survive
When these little minds tear you in two
What a town without pity can do
How can we keep love alive
How can anything survive
When these little minds tear you in two
What a town without a pity can do
No it isn't very pretty
What a town without pity can do
The Dickies's "Town Without Pity" is an emotional ballad that brings into focus the plight of young couples who are in love and the challenges they face due to societal standards and norms. The song highlights how love can be both beautiful and challenging at the same time, and how judgmental and uncaring towns can make it even harder. The opening line, "When you're young and so in love as we, and bewildered by the world we see," sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The second stanza, "If we stop to gaze upon a star, people talk about how 'bad' we are, ours is not an easy age, we're like tigers in a cage, what a town without pity can do," talks about how the opinions of others can negatively affect and even destroy relationships. The song also highlights the fact that the young have a lot of problems and need someone to help them understand and navigate through life. The chorus talks about how little minds tear people in love in two and how it's not pretty what a town without pity can do.
In conclusion, the song is a powerful message about the struggles of young love in a world where people can be unkind and ignorant. It highlights the need for empathy, understanding, and compassion to help those in love survive and thrive in this world.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're young and so in love as we
As young and in love as we are, we're still trying to understand the world around us.
And bewildered by the world we see
We're confused and uncertain about what we see in the world.
Why do people get a soul
Only someone who is in love could understand the idea of a soul or the reason why people have one.
Ony those in love would know
This knowledge is only accessible to those who are in love.
What a town without pity can do
A town without compassion or understanding can be a harmful place.
If we stop to gaze upon a star
If we take a moment to appreciate something beautiful, people will judge us.
People talk about how "bad" we are
Our actions are often criticized and we're viewed in a negative light.
Ours is not an easy age
This is a difficult time to be alive in.
We're like tigers in a cage
We feel trapped or restricted like an animal in captivity.
What a town without pity can do
A town without compassion or understanding can make us feel even more trapped and alone.
The young have problems
Young people face many challenges and difficulties.
Many problems
There are many problems that young people face.
We need an understanding heart
What we need most is someone who can empathize with us and support us.
Why don't they help us
We feel like we're not getting the help and support we need.
Try to help us
We're asking for help and support from others.
Before this plain granted planet falls apart
If we don't get the help we need, the world around us might collapse.
Take these eager lips and hold me fast
We want to hold onto love and joy as tightly as we can.
I'm afraid this kind of joy can't last
We're afraid that this happiness won't last forever.
How can we keep love alive
We're trying to figure out how to hold onto love and keep it alive.
How can anything survive
It feels like everything is falling apart around us.
When these little minds tear you in two
Small-minded people and their negativity can tear us apart emotionally.
No it isn't very pretty
The situation we're in is far from ideal.
What a town without pity can do
A town without compassion or understanding can make things even worse.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DIMITRI TIOMKIN, NED WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind