Hey You
Thin Lizzy Lyrics


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You're living in a small town
The people there are cold
Just living in a small town
Just doing as you're told
You move up to the jungle
You find that it's a hell
When you slip, you fall, you stumble
They lock you in a cell

Hey you, you've got it made
Hey you, you've got it made
Hey you, you've got it made
Hey you, all your friends told you in your small town
Hey you, you've got it made

Just living in your home town
Sometimes it's kinda cruel
Living in your home town
Where they treat you like a fool
You move up to the city
You find that it's tough
And it doesn't seem very pretty
Now you're sleeping in the rough

Hey you, you've got it made
Hey you, you've got it made
Hey you
You've got it made
Hey you
You're heading for the big time
Hey you, you've got it made
You're headed for a life of crime

Living in this jungle
It's like living in a hell
When you slip, you fall, you stumble
They lock you in a cell
You move out to the country
For something you have done
You're living in the country
Why don't you go back to where you come from?

Hey you, you've got it made [Repeat: x5]

Forget all these backslappers
You don't stand a chance
Why don't you go home?
Go right back to where you come from
Don't get involved in this masquerade
This big city is going to eat you up




All the backslapping
Hey you, you've got it made

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Thin Lizzy's "Hey You" describe the struggle of someone trying to find their place in the world. The song portrays the idea that every place someone goes to has its own set of problems and obstacles to face. The first verse emphasizes the alienation often felt in small towns, where people are cold and judgmental. Moving on to the jungle (which I interpret as a metaphor for the big city), the songwriter describes the tough and unpretty reality that can face people as they try to succeed. Even as the singer encourages the subject of the song that they've "got it made," he also warns of the dangers of getting too involved in the city, as it might ultimately "eat you up" and spit you out.


One interpretation could be that the song is about trying to make it in the world of music (which is fitting, given that it's a song by a band). The subject starts off in a small town, where they're mocked for their dreams. They move to the city, but find that they're just one of many trying to make it big. Although they're promised the "big time," there's a sense that they'll need to get involved in "a life of crime" to achieve it. However, in the end, the singer warns the subject to forget the backslapping and don't get involved in the masquerade - suggesting that the perils of the industry may not be worth it.


Line by Line Meaning

You're living in a small town
You live in a small town and are confined by its limitations


The people there are cold
The people in the small town are unwelcoming and aloof


Just living in a small town
You have no choice but to simply exist in the small town


Just doing as you're told
You feel compelled to conform to societal norms in the small town


You move up to the jungle
You try to better your life by moving to the big city


You find that it's a hell
The big city is difficult to navigate and is like a never-ending nightmare


When you slip, you fall, you stumble
Making even a small mistake in the big city can lead to big consequences


They lock you in a cell
You can end up in jail for a mistake or misfortune in the big city


Hey you, you've got it made
Despite the struggles, your friends and family back home think you have a great life in the big city


Living in your home town
Returning to the small town means facing the same old unpleasantness


Where they treat you like a fool
The people in the small town look down on you and make you feel stupid


You move up to the city
You try again to make a better life by moving to the big city


You find that it's tough
The big city is just as difficult to live in as the small town, if not more so


And it doesn't seem very pretty
Despite its glamour, the big city is not as attractive as it seems


Now you're sleeping in the rough
You've fallen so far that you're homeless and have to sleep outdoors


You're heading for the big time
Despite the hardships, you still hold onto dreams of success and wealth in the big city


You're headed for a life of crime
Faced with desperation, you may resort to crime to survive in the big city


Living in this jungle
The big city is chaotic and unforgiving, like a jungle


It's like living in a hell
Living in the big city can be a torturous experience


You move out to the country
You leave the big city for the more peaceful countryside


For something you have done
You may have to flee the city due to a crime you have committed


Why don't you go back to where you come from?
People in the country may judge or dismiss you for your previous city life


Forget all these backslappers
Don't trust the people who praise or flatter you in the city


You don't stand a chance
Despite your hopes and dreams, it is very difficult to truly succeed in the big city


Don't get involved in this masquerade
The city can be a fake and superficial place, and it's easy to get caught up in false appearances


This big city is going to eat you up
The city will consume and destroy you if you're not careful


All the backslapping
All the flattery and praise in the city is meaningless and empty


Hey you, you've got it made
Despite all the hardships and pitfalls of the city, your loved ones still think you're living your best life




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN MICHAEL DOWNEY, PHILIP PARRIS LYNOTT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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