Boulevard

Jackson Browne

Down on the boulevard they take it hard
They look at life with such disregard
They say it can't be won
The way the game is run
But if you choose to stay
You end up playing anyway
It's okay
The kid's in shock up and down the block
The folks are home playing beat the clock
Down at the golden cup
They set the young ones up
Under the neon light
Selling day for night
It's alright
Nobody rides for free
Nobody gets it like they want it to be
Nobody hands you any guarantee
Nobody
The hearts are hard and the times are tough
Down on the boulevard the night's enough
And time passes slow
Between the store front shadows and the street lights glow
Everybody walks right by like they're safe or something
They don't know
Nobody knows you
Nobody owes you nothin'
Nobody shows you what they're thinking
Nobody baby
Hey, hey, baby
You got to watch the street, keep your feet
And be on guard
Make it pay baby
It's only time on the boulevard


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Boulevard Lyrics as written by Jackson Browne

Lyrics © Jackson Browne/Swallow Turn Music/Night Kitchen Music/Open Window Music

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Boulevard song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment
    This song is amazing. It's upbeat and it just makes you want to sing along, whilst being a smart, thought-provoking song. I love it.
    Colosimoon May 06, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I read/heard somewhere that it's about the darker side of life on Hollywood Blvd. Prostitution, drugs and survival that harden the heart and break the spirit robbing a person of happiness. Down on the boulevard they take it hard They look at life with such disregard They say it can't be won The way the game is run But if you choose to stay You end up playing anyway This could sum up the vicious cycle. How can you respect life when the hand dealt gives you nothing. Opportunity is for the rich. Death is the only way out so everyone living is forced to play the game with unfair rules. Nobody rides for free Nobody gets it like they want it to be Nobody hands you any guarantee Nobody knows you Nobody owes you nothin Nobody shows you what they're thinking You got to watch the street, keep your feet And be on guard This is the attitude needed for this way of life. A cold hard approach which is good advice for survival.
    stacey312on December 26, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Always loved this song, and frankly, the entire Hold Out album is very underrated. Only 7 songs, some long ones. I’ve seen less-than-glowing reviews, maybe because it came after Running On Empty, which is arguably his best album (along with Late afor The Sky), and the song ROE Ive heard many say is the best song he ever wrote, but was certainly a huge, popular mainstream album. Hold Out is very different, but that’s not a bad thing as long as it’s good. I’m not sure there are more than a couple writers who are Browne’s equal, not when you combine his lyrics with his melodic sense. Many seem to write him off as just another empty, SoCal Mellow-Mafia member, but that’s to their detriment. Boulevard is one of his best singles.
    force263on April 06, 2018   Link

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