"Down And Out In New York City" by Gov't Mule is a cover of the original song by James Brown. The song was featured in the soundtrack of the 1973 blaxploitation film "Black Caesar" starring Fred Williamson. The lyrics depict the struggles and hardships of life in New York City, particularly for those who are homeless or struggling to make ends meet. The narrator of the song was born in New York City and started shining shoes to earn a living. They mention encountering "bad cats in bad hats" who are either helping them or playing music in the streets. The chorus repeats the phrase "Here's a dime, boy, give me a shine, boy," which refers to people asking for a shoe shine in exchange for a dime, highlighting the difficulty of surviving in the city. The song acknowledges the cold and harsh conditions of the city but suggests that nobody really cares about the struggles of individuals. The lyrics also express a sense of desperation and resignation, with lines like "So you try hard or you die hard, no one really gives a good damn" and "You're down and out in New York City/Ain't no place to be, where can you go?" These lines convey the feeling of being trapped and lacking opportunities for improvement. However, the song also introduces a glimmer of hope toward the end, with the lines "Gonna get myself together in the mornin'/Leave it all and one bad dream." This suggests that the narrator will strive to better their situation and leave behind the hardships they faced in New York City. Overall, "Down And Out In New York City" reflects the struggles, frustrations, and resilience of life in a big city, where individuals can feel forgotten and overlooked.
