"Dead City" by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers is a song about a man who decides to leave the city and start a new life in the wilderness. He is tired of the constant struggle and violence that is a part of living in the city, and he feels he can no longer tolerate it. The lyrics describe the difficult living conditions in Arizona, where the sun beats down and there is no peace. The protagonist sees a man on the street begging for money and realizes that he does not want to end up like him, rotting away in the city. He decides to return to the canyons and mountains, where he can live off the land and start anew. The song describes the corruption and crime in the city, with gangs and drugs taking over and innocent lives being lost. The protagonist seeks to escape this environment and find solace in nature, where he hopes to find peace and strength. "Dead City" is a commentary on the dangers of urban life and the importance of reconnecting with nature.
