4th of July
X Lyrics


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She's waitin' for me
When I get home from work
Oh, but things ain't just the same
She turns out the light
And cries in the dark
Won't answer when I call her name

On the stairs I smoke a
Cigarette alone
Mexican kids are shootin'
Fireworks below
Hey baby, it's the Fourth of July
Hey baby, it's the Fourth of July

She gives me her cheek
When I want her lips
But I don't have the strength to go
On the lost side of town
In a dark apartment
We gave up trying so long ago

On the stairs I smoke a
Cigarette alone
Mexican kids are shootin'
Fireworks below
Hey baby, it's the Fourth of July
Hey baby, it's the Fourth of July

What ever happened I
Apologize
So dry your tears and baby
Walk outside, it's the Fourth of July

On the stairs I smoke a
Cigarette alone
Mexican kids are shootin'
Fireworks below




Hey baby, it's the Fourth of July
Hey baby, Baby take a walk outside

Overall Meaning

In "4th of July," X sings about a relationship that has lost its luster. He comes home from work and his partner is there, but things aren't the same as they used to be. She turns out the lights and cries in the dark, refusing to answer him when he calls her name. Feeling disconnected and lonely, X goes out on the stairs to smoke a cigarette by himself. Below him, he can hear Mexican kids shooting fireworks in celebration of the Fourth of July. He tries to connect with his partner, wanting her lips but only receiving her cheek, and acknowledging that they've given up trying a long time ago. X takes responsibility for what may have happened to the relationship, apologizing to her and suggesting that they both take a walk outside and enjoy the holiday.


One possible interpretation of this song is that it is about a relationship that has gone stale. X's partner is distant and unresponsive, which he interprets as a sign of her being unhappy. The fireworks outside serve as a reminder of the holiday and its symbolic meaning of independence and freedom, which contrasts with the emotional entrapment that X feels in his relationship. He recognizes that things have changed between them and takes responsibility for it, but it is unclear whether he sees any hope for the future of their relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

She's waiting for me When I get home from work
When I come home from work, she is eagerly waiting for me.


Oh, but things ain't just the same She turns out the light And cries in the dark Won't answer when I call her name
But things have changed between us, she's turned off the lights and cries in the dark, and sometimes she even ignores me when I call her name.


She gives me her cheek When I want her lips But I don't have the strength to go
She no longer shows affection, I desire her lips but she only offers her cheek, and I am too weak to leave.


On the lost side of town In a dark apartment We gave up trying so long ago
We live in a part of town that's run-down and forgotten, and we have both given up on trying to make things work.


What ever happened I Apologize So dry your tears and baby Walk outside, it's the Fourth of July
I'm not sure what went wrong, but I am sorry. So, please stop crying and come outside with me, it's a special day, it's the Fourth of July.


On the stairs I smoke a Cigarette alone Mexican kids are shootin' Fireworks below Hey baby, it's the Fourth of July Hey baby, it's the Fourth of July
While smoking a cigarette alone, I can hear Mexican kids shooting fireworks below, and even though it's the Fourth of July, my relationship has become too damaged to appreciate the occasion.


Hey baby, Baby take a walk outside
Hey baby, take a walk outside with me.




Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dave Alvin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@markkendrick7547

The most quintessential song for the 4th of July....๐ŸŽ‡๐ŸŽค๐ŸŽค๐ŸŽธ๐ŸŽธ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ‘Š

@djtimtim9979

One of the greatest song ever! Written by Dave Alvin.

@jono8100

One of the best songs ever written by Dave Alvin

@SaunieHolloway

Los Angeles in the early 80s. We thought it could last forever.

@whiteyguitarrman5211

It was something to behold though. Quite a time and place. Very sad how it went

@BL-zi9wb

Ok boomer

@whiteyguitarrman5211

@BL-zi9wbย  yeah. Oh heck yeah. I bet you LOVE L.A. now, dontcha, hard kid.? Like the scent of pee and poop in the street and martial law do ya? Have fun.

@lynnpeirce3205

I was thinking the same thing๐ŸŽ†๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽธ

@revelveteen

โ€‹@@BL-zi9wbOK zoomer

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@gavrielgreen6700

I listen to this song special for the 4th of July every year

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