Well, I recall days in the city

And I think back, "Oh what a pity"

Rememberin' how it wasn't pretty

Every day life in the city



Out in the street we had to take it

With friends around, couldn't it

What wasn't there, we had to make it

Hangin' out down in the city



The hard times are dead and gone

But the hard times have made me strong

And the hard times have made me see

That the hard times ain't where I wanna be



We had to fight to be accepted

It wasn't right and I protested

For hangin' out we got arrested

Every day life in the city



We'd go to school and then we'd cut out

Go to the park and space our heads out

We called it fun but there was some doubt

Hangin' out down in the city



The hard times are dead and gone

But the hard times have made me strong

And the hard times have made me see

That the hard times ain't where I wanna be



I don't wanna be there or even think back

I don't wanna be there, now I'm on the right track, yeah



The hard times are dead and gone

But the hard times have made me strong

And the hard times have made me see

That the hard times ain't where I wanna be



I don't wanna be there or even think back

I don't wanna be there, 'cause I'm on the right track

Now I'm on the right track

I'm finally on the right track

I'm finally on the right track