Bee Gees – Stayin Alive

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk
Music loud and women warm, I've been kicked around
Since I was born
And now it's alright, it's OK
And you may look the other way
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man

Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive

Life goin' nowhere, somebody help me
Somebody help me, yeah
Life goin' nowhere, somebody help me, yeah
I'm stayin' alive


Lyrics submitted by Boonechic_21

"Stayin' Alive" as written by Robin Hugh Gibb Maurice Ernest Gibb

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Stayin Alive song meanings
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33 Comments

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  • +5
    General CommentThis song is legendary, everyone has heard it, and everyone can sing at least a little to it, and very catchy.
    chipporaideron December 03, 2011   Link
  • +5
    My InterpretationThe lyrics, New York Times effect on man literally means the day to day stresses that take its toll on one living in New York City during the 70;s. As outsiders you can try and understand it but you will not fully comprehend it until you have spent a day in the shoes of a New Yorker

    "You know it's alright, it's okay, I'll live to see another day, But we can try to understand the new York Times effect on man... Whether you're a brother Whether you're a mother you're staying alive...

    It is a general comment on the life and times of living in NY
    gary760985on March 08, 2014   Link
  • +2
    Song MeaningPEOPLE! Can we stay on topic and answer the member's question?

    The original story and screenplay for the film Saturday Night Fever were inspired by a 1976 article entitled "Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night", which appeared in New York magazine (erroneously referred to as the New York Times in the song).
    trombone76on February 03, 2012   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • +2
    General CommentI always thought "New York Times effect on man" was poking fun at intellectualism vs. survivalism (aka "stayin' alive"). While the upper-class & academics trot out their theories on WHY everything is so terrible, the speaker of the song and most regular people are actually living that reality and trying to survive.
    Mendalusa77on February 18, 2017   Link
  • +1
    General Commentsomewhat right but it also has to to do with the lies printed at that time about modern men, and the coverage they used just to sell... the new york times been around for ages and it would be the bible to the daily new yorker
    CoNjOutsidersLsSmon March 13, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI came to this site because my friend has maintained for years that 'Staying Alive" was about being homless and living on the streets of New York. I tend to doubt that, but I have tried to decipher it in that way once or twice (for humor's sake). What I came up with is that "the New York Times affect on man" refers to homless people trying to keep warm by blanketing themselves with newspaper when they sleep, or stuff it into thier clothing as insulation.
    Not a good explination, but it was just to mess with my freinds idiotic interpetation. I think I believe the one about the lies about men and male culture in the TIMES, though.
    Rusty Manhoodon December 07, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentThis is virtually the ONLY song that EVER gives me the urge to just get up and DANCE.
    avesjohnon March 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI believe it has something to do with how we can be influenced by newspapers and the media
    idioticon May 31, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commentsorry fellas, youre all wrong. the song only makes sense if youve seen saturday night fever, for which the song was meant for...ya know, with john travolta....bad movie....about disco...(good song though)
    Allyn_Leslieon June 18, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI'm from the Isle of Man....and so were the BEE GEES, hence why I love them. This song is absolutely stunning. As is the movie. Blah blah blah, Santon Post Office, Ellen Vannin etc. etc. Sorry, I just think they're amazing. This song....to me, just means a brilliant night and a disco classic.
    GemraIOMon July 04, 2003   Link

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