Same Old Thing
The Streets Lyrics
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Oh oh yeah, that's it..
Right there
At street level
That's it that's it that's it
Yeah oh tunes heavy
At street level
That's it that's it that's it yeah.. oh oh right there
Who's round is it?
Down that beer quick smash my glass back down fall over the table
All rowdy and pissed
Seems the only difference between mid week shit and weekend is how loud I speak
And whether I try to pull a girlfriend
That's it who's got dough?
Hey, you know I'd pay but I'm broke, only got coinage to show
Putting off walking home on my own to my thrown
Two empty takeaways ashtrays and remains of the day stoned
Pick a bottle off the table, peel the label tell a fable
Offer opinion for free and a solution to the latest big news story
Football and smut daily as I ponder winning the lottery
Buy a drink, chat to a lady, the girls well fit definitely, not maybe, she's rude I'd shag
Her and make tea right there
At street level
That's it that's it that's it
Yeah oi heavy, heavy
At street level
That's it that's it that's it yeah.. oh oh
Can't lounge in the boozer all day, got maneuvers to make
Gotta see a man about a dog, can't be late, I'm always late
Raining cats and fog but nice and dry in the black dog
Down it in one my son, can't sit here, gotta run.. things need done
If they don't win this and the next run they getting relegated to the third division
At street level, real people saying repeated sequel
Rock and roll fall to the floor like last night, yesterday morning
And the night before and the night before
Apparently there's a whole world out there somewhere
It's right there, right there
I just don't see it, I just don't see it, oi oi
At street level
That's it that's it that's it
Yeah, oi street level
At street level
That's it that's it that's it
Yeah oi oi heavy.. heavy
Lock the door on your way out
The Streets's song "Same Old Thing" paints a picture of life at the "street level," where the everyday monotony feels both comfortable and claustrophobic. The lyrics describe a night out with friends, starting with the casual camaraderie of sharing drinks and opinions at the pub. The singer appears to be stuck in a cycle of unfulfilling routine, trying to escape with drunken attempts to pick up women or pontificate about the latest news story. The song ends with the realization that, despite the boredom and lack of direction, life continues to repeat itself, day in and day out.
The central theme of the song seems to be the mundanity of life when viewed from the perspective of the working class. The singer seems resigned to his lot in life, only able to find moments of escape in the ritual of going out drinking with his friends. The repetition of the phrase "that's it that's it that's it" at the end of each chorus emphasizes the sameness of it all, both comforting and stifling.
Interestingly, the song was written and produced by Mike Skinner, who performed under the name The Streets. Skinner has said that the song is "about the hassles of everyday life and coming to terms with mundane routine. It's about being resigned to it." The song is from his second studio album, "A Grand Don't Come for Free," which was released in 2004 and was well-received critically.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, street level
The singer is acknowledging that they are at street level.
Oh oh yeah, that's it..
The singer is expressing satisfaction and happiness about being at street level.
Right there
The singer is emphasizing the location of where they are: street level.
At street level
The artist is repeating and reinforcing the fact that they are at street level.
That's it that's it that's it
The artist is using repetition to emphasize their contentment with being at street level.
Yeah oh tunes heavy
The singer is describing the music playing as heavy or intense.
Who's round is it?
The singer is asking who is buying the next round of drinks.
Down that beer quick smash my glass back down fall over the table
The artist is describing drinking quickly, breaking their glass, and falling over a table.
All rowdy and pissed
The artist and their companions are described as being loud and drunk.
Seems the only difference between mid week shit and weekend is how loud I speak
The artist is commenting on how similar their weeknights and weekends are, except for the amount of noise they make.
And whether I try to pull a girlfriend
The singer is talking about their attempts at finding a girlfriend or hooking up.
That's it who's got dough?
The artist is asking who has money to buy the next round of drinks.
Hey, you know I'd pay but I'm broke, only got coinage to show
The singer is saying they would buy a round of drinks if they had the money but they only have coins.
Putting off walking home on my own to my thrown
The singer is delaying their walk home to their home or apartment.
Two empty takeaways ashtrays and remains of the day stoned
The singer is describing their current surroundings, which include empty food containers, ashtrays, and leftover marijuana.
Pick a bottle off the table, peel the label tell a fable
The artist is describing picking up a bottle off the table, peeling off its label, and making up a story about it.
Offer opinion for free and a solution to the latest big news story
The artist is saying they are offering their opinion and advice for free on the latest big news story.
Football and smut daily as I ponder winning the lottery
The singer is talking about their daily activities, which include watching football and consuming vulgar media, all while dreaming of winning the lottery.
Buy a drink, chat to a lady, the girls well fit definitely, not maybe, she's rude I'd shag
The singer is describing their intentions to buy a drink and chat up an attractive woman who they find very appealing, even though she is rude.
Her and make tea right there
The artist is suggesting that they would have a sexual encounter with the woman and then make tea afterward.
Can't lounge in the boozer all day, got maneuvers to make
The artist is saying they can't spend all day in the bar, they have things to do.
Gotta see a man about a dog, can't be late, I'm always late
The artist is referring to an errand or other obligation they have, but claiming they are always running late.
Raining cats and fog but nice and dry in the black dog
The singer is commenting on the weather being bad outside, but they are dry and comfortable in the bar called the black dog.
Down it in one my son, can't sit here, gotta run.. things need done
The artist is encouraging someone to drink their beverage quickly, then saying they have to leave because they have other things to do.
If they don't win this and the next run they getting relegated to the third division
The singer is talking about a sports team, saying that if they don't win their next few games, they will be demoted to a lower league or division of play.
Real people saying repeated sequel
The singer is describing hearing regular patrons of the bar talking repeatedly about the same things or events.
Rock and roll fall to the floor like last night, yesterday morning
The singer is referencing the wild and excessive behavior that often happens in the bar, comparing it to things they experienced the day before.
And the night before and the night before
The artist is implying that this kind of behavior is a regular occurrence.
Apparently there's a whole world out there somewhere
The artist is acknowledging the existence of the greater world outside of their current location at the bar.
It's right there, right there
The singer is saying that the world outside is accessible and within reach.
I just don't see it, I just don't see it, oi oi
Despite acknowledging the existence of the greater world, the singer is saying they can't actually see it, perhaps due to their limited perspective or personal circumstances.
Yeah oi street level
The artist is again emphasizing that they are at street level.
Yeah oi oi heavy.. heavy
The artist is emphasizing the music playing, calling it heavy or intense.
Lock the door on your way out
The artist is telling someone to lock the door as they leave the bar.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL GEOFFREY SKINNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind