Album: Broken Arrow (1996)

License This Song 

• Have you ever been lost
  Have you ever been found out
  Have you ever felt all alone
  At the end of the day
  Yeah I'm talkin' bout gettin' down
  Take it easy - there's no one around
  Just a mirror and you and me
  And the TV sky
  
  I was walkin down main street
  Not the sidewalk but main street
  Dodgin' traffic with flyin' feet
  That's how good I felt
  Took a spin in the laundromat
  Played a game in the music arcade
  Kept winnin' while the band played
  That's how good I felt
  
  (chorus)
  
  Have you ever been singled out
  By a hungry man
  You're listening to the radio
  He's washin' your window
  When you look in those vacant eyes
  How does it harmonize
  With the things that you do?
  That's how good I felt
  
  (chorus)
  
  There's a comet in the sky tonight
  Makes me feel like I'm alright
  I'm movin' prety fast
  For my size
  I really didn' mean to stay
  As long as I have
  So I'll be movin' on Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

• Dharma Ray from UsaPrior commenter questioned whether lyrics to Music Arcade referenced some form of abuse Young experienced by an older man, or possibly a misreading of the lyrics. For international readers outside USA... It is quite common in larger cities for homeless people to gather where vehicles are stopped in traffic (a queue in UK?), such as at traffic lights, and without permission approach and begin cleaning your windshield. After which they approach a vehicle occupant to ask for cash, even though the service was never requested. Whether this activity referenced in the song, or simply general panhandling pedestrians, is what Young was referencing when singing "Have you even been singled out by a hungry man." This interpretation is entirely consistent with the theme and other lyrics in the song, as well as Young's general societal views and highlighting of those less fortunate.
• Ray Nolan from Manchester, EnglandIt looks from this that young endured abuse by an older man: "Have you ever been singled out by a hungry man?”. Or perhaps i am misreading this.

More Songfacts:

The JokerSteve Miller Band

The "pompatus of love" from the Steve Miller song "The Joker" comes from a line in a '50s doo-wop song Miller misheard: "puppetutes of love."

Ziggy StardustDavid Bowie

David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" was likely based on various musicians in his ambit, including Iggy Pop (zIGGY), and Jimi Hendrix, who played guitar left-handed ("He played it left hand").

Cigarettes And Chocolate MilkRufus Wainwright

"Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk" describes a time in Rufus Wainwright's life when he found himself hungover and pounding chocolate milk to feel better. It didn't work, so he smoked a cigarette, which is when he realized his addictive personality could be a problem.

Closing TimeSemisonic

"Closing Time" by Semisonic was written by the lead singer when his wife was pregnant. Some of the lyrics are about being born.

AllentownBilly Joel

Billy Joel's song "Allentown" was written as "Levittown," which is the town in Long Island where he grew up. He got the idea to change it after taking a trip to Pennsylvania.

Do The BartmanThe Simpsons

"Do The Bartman," released at the peak of Simpsons-mania, has uncredited backup vocals by Michael Jackson, who later appeared on the show.

Editor's Picks

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.