On Broadway
The Lost Souls Lyrics


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They say the neon lights are bright
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
On Broadway
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

Overall Meaning

The Lost Souls song On Broadway reveals the dark side of the entertainment industry at the famous street that never sleeps, particularly for the up-and-coming artists struggling to make ends meet. The first two verses paint a glossy picture of the street known for its neon lights and magical ambience. Still, the mood changes in the third verse when the singer, who may be a struggling artist or performer, admits that the sparkles and glamour fade away quickly when you are broke and hungry, left with nothing but the blues. In the last verse, the singer gives a determined response, revealing his/her aspirations and hopes of making it big on Broadway, believing in his/her guitar and talent and disregarding the skeptics' discouragements.


The Lost Souls' On Broadway captures the essence of the struggling up-and-coming performer in the ruthless entertainment industry, using vivid metaphors and descriptions, and has become a classic representation of the harsh reality that many young artists and entertainers face in their quest for fame and fortune. The song's theme of dogged determination and hope against struggles is relatable to many people who have pursued their dreams against all odds, enduring hardship and setbacks.


Line by Line Meaning

They say the neon lights are bright
People say that the bright neon lights on Broadway are illuminating and lively.


On Broadway
Broadway is a famous street in New York City that is known for its lively atmosphere and impressive theater productions.


They say there's always magic in the air
People believe that walking down Broadway can produce a magical feeling in the air.


But when you're walkin' down that street
However, when someone is walking down Broadway, they may not feel the same magic others describe.


And you ain't have enough to eat
If someone is hungry and struggling to find food on Broadway, the supposed magic will not be enough to help them feel better.


The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
Without enough money to buy what Broadway has to offer, the glamorous image of the street fades away and makes someone feel like they are not getting anywhere in their life.


They say the women treat you fine
According to people, the women on Broadway will treat someone very well.


But lookin' at them just gives me the blues
However, for the singer, looking at these women only makes him feel sad and down.


How ya gonna make some time
Singer questions how he can find the time to do what he wants when he is struggling to make a living on Broadway.


When all you got is one thin dime
As someone who is struggling to make a living on Broadway, the singer only has one coin left in his pocket.


And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
Having only one dime in one's pocket shows that the person does not have enough money to keep themselves looking presentable, as they do not have enough money to get their shoes professionally shined.


They say that I won't last too long
People predict that the singer will not be able to last long on Broadway if he continues to struggle with making a living.


On Broadway
Broadway is once again reiterated, as it is a major point of the song.


I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home they all say
People suggest that the singer give up and go back home by catching a Greyhound bus.


But they get wrong, I know they are
The singer knows that those who predict his failure on Broadway are wrong.


'Cause I can play this here guitar
The reason the singer knows he will be successful on Broadway is that he is confident in his ability to perform and play guitar well.


I won't quit till I'm a star
Despite the struggles he faces on Broadway, the singer refuses to quit until he becomes a star performer.


On Broadway
Broadway is once again reiterated, emphasizing the importance of the street and its significance to the singer.


On Broadway
The song's chorus repeatedly refers back to Broadway, emphasizing its importance to the singer.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL, JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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