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.
My daddy got here on the gravy train
I guess my mama had a real bad start to the game
They went walking and she took his name
Round here
There was dancing in the afternoons those days
Waiting tables, chasing girls with the money he made
It was 1957, and love felt the same, love felt the same
Frightened little girl, she makes a break
Into the arms of, something better
Round here
I hear my mama call in Kingsbury Park
Just me and David and a football that glowed in the dark
Waiting patiently to make my mark
Round here
And I remember my first day at school
And I remember trouble, and thinking I was so cool
I remember it all, like yesterday
Don't you
Every time I try to leave this place
Something inside says, "You can do better"
Round here
So come with me, let me show you where I've lived
I want to put my hands in this earth again
Music fell like rain to the streets
The Specials and The Jam, to The Beat
Even though I think I've seen everything there is to see of this world
I gotta be thankful that this crowded space
Is the place of my birth
When all that I wanted, was to be someone.
Two little Hitlers in an old church hall
Some cheesy covers and those neighbors that banged on the walls
Andy says it's time to show them all
Round here
Please sir, we two have other plans
Please sir you would not understand,
What's going on
Is magical, can't you see
That some of us do more than dream
Every time I try to leave this place
Something inside says, "Keep on keeping, on and on...."
Around here
So come with me, let me show you where I've lived
I want to put my hands in this earth again
Music fell like rain to the streets
The Specials and The Jam, ABC
Even though I think I've seen everything there is to see of this world
I gotta be thankful that this crowded space
Is the place of my birth
My birth,
In this town,
Yes I guess I got to be someone
To be somebody
In the Beautiful city
This place I call home
These streets of London
It's everything I know (everything and everybody)
On the streets of London
I want to thank you
My daddy got here on the gravy train.
I guess my mama had a real bad start to the game
They went walking and she took his name
Round here
There was dancing in the afternoons those days
Waiting tables, chasing girls with the money he made
It was 1957, and love felt the same, love felt the same
Frightened little girl, she makes a break
Into the arms of, something better
Round here
I hear my mama call in Kingsbury Park
Just me and David and a football that glowed in the dark
Waiting patiently to make my mark
Round here
And I remember my first day at school
And I remember trouble, and thinking I was so cool
I remember it all, like yesterday
Don't you
Every time I try to leave this place
Something inside says, "You can do better"
Round here
So come with me, let me show you where I've lived
I want to put my hands in this earth again
Music fell like rain to the streets
The Specials and The Jam, to The Beat
Even though I think I've seen everything there is to see of this world
I gotta be thankful that this crowded space
Is the place of my birth
When all that I wanted, was to be someone.
Two little Hitlers in an old church hall
Some cheesy covers and those neighbors that banged on the walls
Andy says it's time to show them all
Round here
Please sir, we two have other plans
Please sir you would not understand,
What's going on
Is magical, can't you see
That some of us do more than dream
Every time I try to leave this place
Something inside says, "Keep on keeping, on and on...."
Around here
So come with me, let me show you where I've lived
I want to put my hands in this earth again
Music fell like rain to the streets
The Specials and The Jam, ABC
Even though I think I've seen everything there is to see of this world
I gotta be thankful that this crowded space
Is the place of my birth
My birth,
In this town,
Yes I guess I got to be someone
To be somebody
In the Beautiful city
This place I call home
These streets of London
It's everything I know (everything and everybody)
On the streets of London
I want to thank you
My daddy got here on the gravy train.
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I'm not sure what this song is about but i have only just heard it recently, and i think it sounds a lot like George Michael's 'Father Figure'. Maybe it's just his signature sound but both songs sound so alike. It's refreshing to see that he's still around and it proves he has staying power. But to be honest, i did prefer his Wham! days.
I think this song is about GM wanting to leave where he is from but when he reminisces about where he grew up and old times, he realizes the place he calls his home is where he belongs! I love this song!