There is more than one group called the Tubes:

1) The Tubes is a San… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one group called the Tubes:

1) The Tubes is a San Francisco-based theater rock band popular in the mid 1970s and early 1980s. Their eponymous 1975 debut album included the single "White Punks on Dope," while their 1983 single "She's a Beauty" was a top-10 U.S. hit and its music video was frequently played in the early days of MTV.
Known for their live performances that combined music performances, the band used many different unique costumes (in some acts they wore leotards with painted on nipples and pubic hair). They made satires of life in the USA; the media, consumerism, and politics. They were often banned in the Midwest USA.
The Tubes continue performing live, with several members of the original band still in the touring lineup.

2) The Tubes is a five-piece Garage Funk band from Switzerland. Brainchild of Harry Tuttle and Barbie Tube, and formed in 2006, they released their first recordings in 2007.
Rob Tube : Bass & Vocals
Harry Tube : Guitar
Rosie Tube : Horns & Vocals
Tube Tube : Keys & Vocals
Barbie Tube : Drums

This Town
The Tubes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This town
Is a lonely town
Not the only town
Like this town

This town
Is a make you town
Or a break you town

And bring you down
This town

This town
Is a quiet town
Or a riot town
Like this town

And this town
Is a love you town
Shove you down
And push you ‘round town

Hey hey hey
Everybody oughta know

This town
Is an alright town
Or an uptight town
Like this town

And this town
Is a use you, a use you, a use you town
Abuse you town
And bring you down
This town

This town
Is a losin’ town
It’s a miserable town
It’s a no where town
It’s the pits
San Francisco
Hollywood
This town
Bye bye bye bye bye bye b-bye bye bye bye

So long
Bye-bye

Overall Meaning

The Tubes's song This Town is a commentary on the city of Los Angeles and how it can make or break you. The lyrics are filled with contrasts, describing the various facets of the city. The song refers to Los Angeles as a lonely town, but clarifies that it is not the only town like this. It is a place that can either make or break you, depending on your experience there. It can be quiet or riotous, and it is a love you town that can also shove you down.

The chorus turns to a warning for anyone entering the city, stating that everybody ought to know that this town can be either an alright town or an uptight town, depending on who you are and how you fare there. It is a place that can use you and abuse you, and ultimately bring you down. The song ends with a repetition of "bye bye," indicating that leaving this town might sometimes be the best decision.

Line by Line Meaning

This town
Referring to the place they are in

Is a lonely town
It is a place where one can feel alone

Not the only town
There are other towns like this one

Is a make you town
It is a place that can lead to success

Or a break you town
It is a place that can lead to failure

And bring you down
It can cause you to feel depressed or hopeless

Is a quiet town
It is a peaceful town

Or a riot town
It is a town known for violence or unrest

Is a love you town
It is a place that can make you feel loved

Shove you down
It can cause you to feel suppressed or controlled

And push you ‘round town
It can cause you to feel manipulated or mistreated