The song Pike St. / Park Slope by Harvey Danger contains several themes, including the desire for fairness, the fear of failure, and the need for validation. The lyrics express the frustration of feeling trapped in a town that has let the narrator down, but also acknowledge that no one owes them anything. They express the desire for success and the fear of not achieving it, but also the realization that success is subjective and can be different for everyone. The narrator suggests running away and starting a repertory movie house, which may symbolize the idea of creating a community or a place where he feels he belongs. However, the narrator's suggestion is met with skepticism by the person they are speaking to, who suggests they might be projecting their desires onto others. The song also comments on the nature of society and its attitudes towards success. It mentions a community of people who are jealous of their successful friends and another who evade income tax and get plastic surgery. Ultimately, the song seems to be about the struggle to find one's place in the world and the desire for validation and recognition. The narrator wants to pay their dues and be successful but acknowledges it's not easy and that success can be defined in many different ways.
