West Side Highway Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Tig45 

Cover art for West Side Highway lyrics by Pinhead Gunpowder

This song makes me think of a young punk kid during the eighties when the punk scene was roaring, coming from a little midwestern town where he was made fun of, and comparing it to New York... the home of the Ramones, Sonic Youth, east coast hardcore, squat houses, etc... and being like, I'm free now.

I'm not crazy about Billie Joe appropriating the antisemitism that exists in New York, though. He's not Jewish. Neither am I. We shouldn't say we're one of them.

Billie Joe, next time you're in New York, how about a lyrical change? There's a million cops in New York, and I hate all of them ;) then we can spark up a bowl and muse over good times past.

Still love ya, BJ. I think you're punk as fuck and PHG is rad.

@Tig45 Did I really just list off New York's punk cred and forget CBGB's? Yikes! Too bad the eighties were pre-Leftover Crack and Nausea, but at least Reagan Youth was around back then.

@Tig45 Well this is years old and as big as GD is, not many people are aware of PHGP.

If i may, I don't think you have to worry about Billie appropriating jewish culture, as that line was likely penned by another memeber of PHGP. From what I can remember, it was a collective effort and Billie wasn't necessarily the main songwriter.

I think it is most likely Aaron Cometbus (drummer), who is listed under "jews in punk" on wiki. On his wikipedia page, they have quotes of him describing his life, essentially he wanted to leave his hometown and...