Cross The Tracks
The J.B.'s Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gather up the boys to come and get back
We stand all together against the opposed
We'll die for our brethren that we have chose
On the wrong side of the tracks
On the wrong side of the tracks
Escalation, war in the streets
Catch one sucker and he gets beat
Soft motherfuckers will soon meet their end
On the wrong side of the tracks
On the wrong side of the tracks
And when you're in fuckin' Brooklyn
You best watch your back
[Incomprehensible]
Took you damn long
To hear me sing this song
'Cause I'm the motherfucker from the wrong
(Side of the tracks)
Yo, hey, I'm from around the way
You'd better not stay on the wrong
(Side of the tracks)
Ducking from the 5-0
Didn't know where to go
Never should've stepped on the wrong
(Side of the tracks)
Hey, yo, 'cause I'm good to go
I gotta get back from the wrong
(Side of the tracks)
Across the tracks
No one takes your back
Across the tracks
Across the tracks
No one takes your back
Across the tracks
The boys in the gang
Wanna see me hang
Well, I had my bells rang on the wrong
(Side of the tracks)
Strapped, a broken pact
Caught in a trap on the wrong
(Side of the tracks)
Wrong or right, I had to fight
I ran for daylight to the right
(Side of the tracks)
A lesson to learn
When the tables are turned
You might get burned on the wrong
(Side of the tracks)
Across the tracks
No one takes your back
Across the tracks
Across the tracks
No one takes your back
Across the tracks
Across the tracks
No one takes your back
Across the tracks
Across the tracks
No one takes your back
Across the tracks
Across the tracks
Motherfucker
The J.B.'s "Cross The Tracks" is a powerful song that tells the story of being caught up on the wrong side of the tracks. It is a song that speaks to the struggles of the marginalized and the oppressed, who have been pushed to the fringes of society. The lyrics are a rallying cry for those who have been left behind, a call to action for those who refuse to be silenced or ignored.
The opening lines "You're a fish out of water on the wrong side of the tracks, Gather up the boys to come and get back" set the tone for the rest of the song. The imagery of being a fish out of water, out of one's element, is a powerful metaphor for feeling helpless and defeated. The call to gather up the boys and fight back is a powerful message of resilience and hope, a reminder that even when things seem hopeless, there is strength in community and unity.
The lyrics also highlight the brutality of living in a world where violence is the norm. The lines "Escalation, war in the streets, Catch one sucker and he gets beat" speak to the harsh reality of life on the wrong side of the tracks. It is a world where power is measured by one's ability to inflict pain, and survival often means resorting to violence.
Overall, "Cross The Tracks" is a song that speaks to the struggles and hardships faced by those who are pushed to the fringes of society. It is a song of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is strength in unity and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a fish out of water on the wrong side of the tracks
You don't belong here, you're out of your element and in the wrong place
Gather up the boys to come and get back
Call your friends and allies to join together and retaliate
We stand all together against the opposed
We unite as one to fight against our opposition
We'll die for our brethren that we have chose
We are willing to go to extreme lengths, even sacrifice our lives, for our chosen family
Escalation, war in the streets
The tension and conflict are rising, leading to violence and chaos in the city
Catch one sucker and he gets beat
If you make a mistake or are seen as weak, you will be punished by the group
What you see is what you get
There are no false pretenses or facades in this world, everything is upfront and honest
Soft motherfuckers will soon meet their end
Those who are weak or lacking in toughness won't last long in this environment
And when you're in fuckin' Brooklyn
This is a reference to the specific location and culture of the Brooklyn borough of New York City
You best watch your back
Be diligent and wary of danger lurking behind you
Took you damn long
It's surprising that you haven't already heard or realized this
To hear me sing this song
To finally understand and listen to the message being conveyed in this piece of music
'Cause I'm the motherfucker from the wrong
The lyricist is from the underprivileged and struggling part of town, and this song reflects their experiences
(Side of the tracks)
This phrase emphasizes the divide between different social classes, often represented by railroad tracks that physically separate them
Yo, hey, I'm from around the way
The lyricist is from the same area as the listener, and may share similar struggles and experiences
You'd better not stay on the wrong
It's important to avoid being on the side of the tracks with more poverty, crime, and danger
Ducking from the 5-0
Trying to avoid getting caught or arrested by the police
Didn't know where to go
Feeling lost and helpless in a stressful and unfamiliar situation
Never should've stepped on the wrong
It was a mistake to venture into this dangerous and impoverished part of town
Strapped, a broken pact
Being armed and ready for violence, which goes against the idea of a peaceful agreement or treaty
Caught in a trap on the wrong
Feeling trapped or stuck in a negative situation with no way out
Wrong or right, I had to fight
Regardless of whether it was justified or not, violence was the only way to defend oneself and survive
I ran for daylight to the right
Fleeing towards the side of the tracks with more safety, light, and hope for a better life
A lesson to learn
This experience serves as a warning and cautionary tale to others
When the tables are turned
When the usual power dynamic or situation is reversed, such as from oppressor to oppressed or from privileged to disadvantaged
You might get burned on the wrong
You could face serious consequences, danger, or harm by being on the side of the tracks with more poverty and crime
Across the tracks
Referring to crossing the barrier or divide between different social classes or neighborhoods
No one takes your back
You are on your own, with no one to support or defend you
Motherfucker
An aggressive and emphatic way to end the song, expressing anger and frustration with the harsh realities of the urban environment
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES DEARNESS HOGARTH, KATIE VICTORIA TUNSTALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Matheus_Rocha
As most sites put the wrong lyrics to this song, I'll give you the right ones, you're welcome in advance
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
I'd never cross the track, baby, I know what it's like
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
Get down, baby, across the track
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
Get down, hey baby, get down
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
Toot your tooter, baby
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
I'd never cross the track, and I know what it's like
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
Across the track
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
Hey baby, across the track
You oughta get right back
Tell me what it's like across the track
Across the track, hey baby
Across the track
Right on, baby, get down
@CegeRoles
"It won't open because it's a SECURITY DOOR!"
@markovelimirovic6086
the fuck are you two doin?
@RunFridge
all bets are off
@gado__
it's from SNATCH
@callmethegeneral1332
"What do you mean copper-FUCKING-COINS?!?!?"
@christopherfischer6998
WOW! I wasn’t expecting that to work!
@wideguy7789
Walking through a casino floor and heard this song tonight, immediately hit a table and won $100. Thanks CJ.
@yousifmusician4361
Meeee222
@user-og2zz2yw7u
GTA San Andreas, Driver Parallel Lines, Snatch
@muhammadnajmimurindo9723
Right !