masterpiece
The Temptations Lyrics

Where I was born ev'rything was dull and dingy
I was born and raised in a place that lacked any beauty or vibrancy.

I lived in a place they called the inner city
My home was located in the heart of the city, where poverty and crime were rampant.

Getting ahead huh was strictly a nono
It was nearly impossible to make progress or achieve success in such a harsh environment.

'Cause nobody cares what happens to the folks
The people in power did not care about the struggles and hardships faced by those in the inner city.

That live in the ghetto
Those of us living in poverty-stricken areas (also referred to as ghettos) were often overlooked and ignored.

Thousands of lives wasting away
The countless individuals in my community were just barely surviving, with little hope for a brighter future.

People living from day to day
Many residents were simply trying to make it through each day, struggling to meet their basic needs.

It's a challenge just staying alive
Survival itself was a daily challenge, with danger and hardship constantly looming.

'Cause in the ghetto only the strong survive
Those who were able to persevere through the difficulties of the inner city were the only ones who would make it out.

Broken down homes, kids strung out
The houses in my area were often run-down and dilapidated, while many young people were struggling with addiction.

They don't even know what life's all about
Many of the young people had lost sight of any hope or purpose, turning to harmful behaviors as a means of escape.

Stealin' cars, robbin' bars
Some turned to criminal activities to try to make ends meet or escape their difficult circumstances.

Mugging drugs, rat infested
Drug use was rampant in my community, and the prevalence of rats in homes was just one symptom of the overall neglect and disrepair.

And no one's interested
Despite the many challenges and issues present in the inner city, those in power were not invested in finding solutions or helping those in need.

Kids dodging cars for recreation
Even leisure activities for children were dangerous, with playing in the streets risking physical harm.

Only adds to a mother's frustration
Parents, especially mothers, were constantly worried for their children's safety and well-being, adding to their already immense stress.

Breakings, folks comin' home
Home invasions were not uncommon, with residents returning to find their homes broken into and their belongings stolen.

And finding all their possessions gone
The little that people had was often taken from them, leaving them with nothing to rely on.

Oh it's an ev'ry day thing, well well, in the ghetto
All of these struggles were a part of daily life in the inner city, with no immediate end or solution in sight.

Oh it's an ev'ry day thing, well in the ghetto
The suffering and hardship of those in poverty-stricken areas is a pervasive issue, and one that demands attention and action.