The Ditty Bops formed in New York City, when Abby and Amanda were on a hunt for a friend's lost cat. When they stumbled into the backyard of a stranger, they discovered that he was a musician and an avid guitar collector. He encouraged them to form a band and start playing. So began the Ditty Bops.
Abby and Amanda have been a couple since 1999.
The Ditty Bops appeared with Tori Amos in 2005 while promoting their first eponymous album. Since then they have released a second album, Moon Over the Freeway, and the freshly released Summer Rains
Waking Up In the City
The Ditty Bops Lyrics
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What are we gonna do
Take a picture to the park
Sing songs about the moon
I will bring the frisbee
I will bring the dog
We'll frolic in the pesticided grass beneath the smog
Don't gotta worry 'bout bee stings
Now's the time to take off our shoes
And dance that cartoon dance
In the afternoon time
We will stroll downtown
Past messengers on bicycles
And men dressed up in gowns
If we should get tired, let's just take the bus
I hope that it's not crowded so we can sit up front
I can't even see them scrape the sky
Blurring the fashions whizzing by
Sun gets down in the evening
Lights start flashing on
The city swells with energy
The nightlife has begun
Kustle and bustle
So many sites to see
Endless excitement
Keeps me up 'till three
Don't wanna go to the movies
Who wants to sit inside
I didn't get on the guest list
Don't want to wait in line
Let's go eat pierogis at my favorite cafe
The waitress are grumpy and
Their English ain't so great
We'll talk ourselves in circles
Til the pancakes are all gone
Today's become tomorrow
I can see the pink of dawn
Oh, I'm getting tired, I'm oh so tired
I think it's time to retire
Time for bed
To rest my sleepy head
The Ditty Bops's song "In The City" seems to be about the various experiences of living and enjoying life in a bustling city. The lyrics describe waking up in a city, taking a picture in a park, singing songs about the moon, frolicking with a frisbee and a dog in a city park, and dancing a "cartoon dance." They also describe strolling downtown, observing the messengers on bicycles and men dressed up in gowns while taking the bus to alleviate tiredness. The song highlights the excitement of living in a big city, the vibrant nightlife, endless activities, and food.
The song subverts our usual expectations of the natural aesthetic of a city; the grass is pesticided, the smog is foggy, and the sky is scraped. The city was not built for humans, but the lyrics seem to revel in the humor and absurdity of these unnatural elements that are part and parcel of living in an urban context. The song also touches upon the fact that in a city, there is no need to go to the movies, and one can relish in pierogis, remain in a diner until dawn, and watch the sun peek into the horizon. The idea of time is pervasive throughout the song, where it races from morning to evening and from today to tomorrow, and the singers acknowledge their fatigue and the need to rest their head.
Line by Line Meaning
Waking up in the city
Starting the day in a bustling urban environment
What are we gonna do
Considering what activities to do in the city
Take a picture to the park
Bring a camera to capture memories in a green space
Sing songs about the moon
Create music inspired by the natural world
I will bring the frisbee
Planning to play a game of frisbee
I will bring the dog
Bringing a furry friend along for the adventure
We'll frolic in the pesticided grass beneath the smog
Playing in a city park despite the pollution and chemicals used on the grass
Don't gotta worry 'bout bee stings
Not concerned about getting stung by bees in the city
Don't gotta worry 'bout ants
Not concerned about ants in the city
Now's the time to take off our shoes
And dance that cartoon dance
Letting loose and dancing in a childlike, carefree manner
In the afternoon time
We will stroll downtown
Taking a leisurely walk through the city center during the day
Past messengers on bicycles
And men dressed up in gowns
Passing by people with unique professions and styles
If we should get tired, let's just take the bus
I hope that it's not crowded so we can sit up front
Choosing public transportation if fatigued, with the hope of getting a seat
I can't even see them scrape the sky
Blurring the fashions whizzing by
Observing the high-rise buildings and fashionable people moving quickly
Sun gets down in the evening
Lights start flashing on
The city swells with energy
The nightlife has begun
Noting the change in atmosphere as the sun sets and the city comes to life at night
Kustle and bustle
So many sites to see
Endless excitement
Keeps me up 'till three
Feeling the vibrant energy of the city and enjoying the endless possibilities
Don't wanna go to the movies
Who wants to sit inside
Opting out of indoor entertainment due to the desire to experience the city
I didn't get on the guest list
Don't want to wait in line
Avoiding exclusive events and long wait times
Let's go eat pierogis at my favorite cafe
The waitress are grumpy and
Their English ain't so great
Choosing a beloved local eatery despite less than perfect service and language barriers
We'll talk ourselves in circles
Til the pancakes are all gone
Today's become tomorrow
I can see the pink of dawn
Chatting until we lose track of time and realize the next day is fast approaching
Oh, I'm getting tired, I'm oh so tired
I think it's time to retire
Time for bed
To rest my sleepy head
Feeling exhaustion after a long day and preparing to get some much-needed sleep
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind