The Other Side of Town

The intensity and beauty of the original, which includes Curtis' gorgeous tenor vocals, cannot be matched by any attempt of mine. This is why I will present the original here instead, along with its lyrics, which are still as pertinent as they were forty-one years ago. I walk through parts of DC and these words often come to mind.



I'm from the other side of town
Out of bounds
To anybody who don't live around

I never learned to share
Or how to care
I never had no teachings
About being fair

Depression is part of my mind
The sun never shines
On the other side of town

The need here is always for more
There's nothing good in store
On the other side of town

It's hard to do right
In this filthy night
Just plain simple comfort
Is completely out of sight

My little sister she hungry
For bread to eat
My brother's hand me down shoes
Are now showing his feet

Ghetto blues showed on the news
All is aware

But what the hell do they care?
You across the track
Completely relaxed

You take a warning fact
Don't you never come back

I'm from the other side of town
Out of bounds

To anybody who don't live around
I never learned to share

Or how to care
I never had no teachings
About being fair

Depression is part of my mind
The sun never shines
On the other side of town

The need here is always for more
There's nothing good in store
On the other side of town

O baby it's hard to do right
On the other side of town
This depression's really got a hold on me
On the other side of town