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.
In the city
Where I'm from
There are lovers till the dawn
And you stayed up to see the sun
I couldn't wait that long
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
Who's gonna get up after we've fallen?
Who's gonna pick up what we've done wrong?
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
In the city
Where I'm from
Lions in cages just for fun
But you will pace around your cage
And wait for night to come
In the city
Where I'm from
They shoot you down
If you run
But we don't stop to check the time
'Cause time keeps moving on and on and on
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
Who's gonna get up after we've fallen?
Who's gonna pick up what we've done wrong?
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
I see you in another place
I expect a familiar face
The city joins us with hands of grace
Hands free there are no constraints
Just ignore all that you see
The illusion of you and me
Illusions come illusions go
And if I leave you'll never grow old
In the city
Where I'm from
There are lovers till the dawn
And you stayed up to see the sun
I couldn't wait that long
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
Who's gonna get up after we've fallen?
Who's gonna pick up what we've done wrong?
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
The city joins us with hands of grace
Hands free there are no constraints
Illusions come illusions go
And if I leave you'll never grow old
Where I'm from
There are lovers till the dawn
And you stayed up to see the sun
I couldn't wait that long
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
Who's gonna get up after we've fallen?
Who's gonna pick up what we've done wrong?
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
In the city
Where I'm from
Lions in cages just for fun
But you will pace around your cage
And wait for night to come
In the city
Where I'm from
They shoot you down
If you run
But we don't stop to check the time
'Cause time keeps moving on and on and on
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
Who's gonna get up after we've fallen?
Who's gonna pick up what we've done wrong?
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
I see you in another place
I expect a familiar face
The city joins us with hands of grace
Hands free there are no constraints
Just ignore all that you see
The illusion of you and me
Illusions come illusions go
And if I leave you'll never grow old
In the city
Where I'm from
There are lovers till the dawn
And you stayed up to see the sun
I couldn't wait that long
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
Who's gonna get up after we've fallen?
Who's gonna pick up what we've done wrong?
Who's gonna get up after we're gone?
The city joins us with hands of grace
Hands free there are no constraints
Illusions come illusions go
And if I leave you'll never grow old
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Love the misinterpretation, 'Hands free there are no 'castrates' (instead of 'constraints'). LOL. No young boys were castrated to produce a unique singing voice for THIS song! Yeah, I know it's techinically 'castratos', but it was so close, I had to laugh. :-P