The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Ghetto, ghetto
Ghetto, ghetto livin'
These streets remind me of quicksand (quicksand)
When you're on it, you'll keep goin' down (goin' down)
And there's no one to hold on to
And there's no one to pull you out
You keep on fallin' (fallin')
No one can hear you callin'
So you end up self-destructin'
On the corner with the tuli on the waistline
Just got up out the bing doin' state time
Teeth marks on my back from the K-9
Dark memories of when there was no sunshine
'Cause they said that I wouldn't make it
I remember like yesterday
Holdin' on to what God gave me
'Cause that's the life when you're livin' in the (ghetto)
And eatin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, sleepin' in the (ghetto)
Ghetto, that's the life (ghetto livin')
When you're livin' in the (ghetto)
And eatin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, sleepin' in the (ghetto) ghetto (ghetto livin')
No need to cherish luxuries
'Cause everything come and go
Even the life that you have is borrowed
'Cause you're not promised tomorrow
So live your life as if every day is gon' be your last (be your last)
Once you've moved forward, can't go back just pretend to remove your past (remove your past)
'Cause you gotta be willin' to pray
Yes, there gotta be, there gotta be a better way, oh
Yes, you gotta be willin' to pray
'Cause there gotta be, there gotta be a better day, ay
Whoever said that this struggle would stop today?
A lot a niggas dead or locked away
Teenage women growin' up with AIDS
'Cause that's the life when you're livin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, eatin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, sleepin' in the (ghetto)
Ghetto, that's the life (ghetto livin')
When you're livin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, eatin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, sleepin' in the (ghetto) ghetto (ghetto livin')
Gun shots every night in the (ghetto)
Crooked cops on sight in the (ghetto)
Everyday is a fight in the (ghetto)
Oh oh oh oh oh (ghetto livin')
Got kids to feed in the (ghetto)
Sellin' coke and weed in the (ghetto)
Everyday somebody bleed in the (ghetto)
Oh oh oh oh oh (ghetto livin')
That's the life when you're livin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, livin' by the (ghetto)
Oh eatin' in the (ghetto)
Ghetto
That's the life when you're livin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, sleepin' in the (ghetto)
Livin' in the (ghetto)
Ghetto, ghetto (ghetto livin')
Ghetto, ghetto livin'
These streets remind me of quicksand (quicksand)
When you're on it, you'll keep goin' down (goin' down)
And there's no one to hold on to
And there's no one to pull you out
You keep on fallin' (fallin')
No one can hear you callin'
So you end up self-destructin'
On the corner with the tuli on the waistline
Just got up out the bing doin' state time
Teeth marks on my back from the K-9
Dark memories of when there was no sunshine
'Cause they said that I wouldn't make it
I remember like yesterday
Holdin' on to what God gave me
'Cause that's the life when you're livin' in the (ghetto)
And eatin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, sleepin' in the (ghetto)
Ghetto, that's the life (ghetto livin')
When you're livin' in the (ghetto)
And eatin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, sleepin' in the (ghetto) ghetto (ghetto livin')
No need to cherish luxuries
'Cause everything come and go
Even the life that you have is borrowed
'Cause you're not promised tomorrow
So live your life as if every day is gon' be your last (be your last)
Once you've moved forward, can't go back just pretend to remove your past (remove your past)
'Cause you gotta be willin' to pray
Yes, there gotta be, there gotta be a better way, oh
Yes, you gotta be willin' to pray
'Cause there gotta be, there gotta be a better day, ay
Whoever said that this struggle would stop today?
A lot a niggas dead or locked away
Teenage women growin' up with AIDS
'Cause that's the life when you're livin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, eatin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, sleepin' in the (ghetto)
Ghetto, that's the life (ghetto livin')
When you're livin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, eatin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, sleepin' in the (ghetto) ghetto (ghetto livin')
Gun shots every night in the (ghetto)
Crooked cops on sight in the (ghetto)
Everyday is a fight in the (ghetto)
Oh oh oh oh oh (ghetto livin')
Got kids to feed in the (ghetto)
Sellin' coke and weed in the (ghetto)
Everyday somebody bleed in the (ghetto)
Oh oh oh oh oh (ghetto livin')
That's the life when you're livin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, livin' by the (ghetto)
Oh eatin' in the (ghetto)
Ghetto
That's the life when you're livin' in the (ghetto)
Oh, sleepin' in the (ghetto)
Livin' in the (ghetto)
Ghetto, ghetto (ghetto livin')
Lyrics submitted by catinthehatgrl
Ghetto Lyrics as written by Butherde Darius Aliaune Thiam
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, O/B/O DistroKid
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
I think it's fairly obvious what this song's about, so I won't post what I think it is, in case I'm seriously wrong :P Great song though, one of, if not, the best songs on the album.
love it,love it, I think his songs are cool!
i really really love this song... great lyrics...
Ledsurfer, it's a great song...and you don't have to be a "poseur" to like it...it's just a song, and it's a very good one in that...so chill out man, it's just a song.
I luv his album, I luv this song!!
It still amazes me how people like ledsurfer6 like to pretend that poverty doesn't exsist. Well it does and I beleive people like Akon who express the pain they feel from a bad life through music and the arts needs to be acknowledge for showing youth who are going through the samethings he went through that music can be a positive way to express how they feel.
ok, yes he was talking about the ghetto in this song but he wasn't just talking about the inner city ghettos he was trying to say what it was like in all ghettos you wouldn't be a poser for likeing this song , just if from a poor part of town or a trailer park because thats how it is in all ghettos especially where i live this whole fucking state is a ghetto (Louisiana) the only rich people that live here, live in gated neighberhoods
this song i amazing..it expresses exactly how i feel some days.. ive seen it all lived it all and i LOVE akon!
i agree with everyone against ledsurfer[of course]. i like this song a lot because even though i do'nt live in the 'ghetto' anymore, it takes me back; doesn't let me forget how things were, and how hard my mom worked to get me where i am today and how thankful i am that i am not in the situation i was anymore.
this song sucks pretty bad, i dont think anyone gives a shit what the ghetto is like. if you live in the ghetto, you already know what its like, and if you don't and you want to know, your an ungreatful poser who wants to live like a bum