Lyrics
Cardboard merchant on the corner
A person selling cardboard boxes on the street corner
50 cent slots at 3 a.m.
Slot machines that cost fifty cents to play at three in the morning
Plenty going on besides your cell phone
There are many activities happening aside from being engrossed in your cell phone
Sugar boys looking for a friend
Men who are seeking companionship or acquaintances
I'm going downtown tonight
The singer is planning to go to downtown tonight
Ballerina dancing to a soundtrack
A dancer performing to music in the style of a ballerina
Shopping cart parade on the street
A procession of shopping carts moving along the street
Junkie Reinhardt busking on the sidewalk
Junkie Reinhardt, likely a performer, playing music for money on the sidewalk
Ladies heels clicking to the beat
Women walking with audible clicks of their high-heeled shoes in rhythm
I'm going downtown tonight
Reiteration of the singer's intent to go downtown tonight
Telephone poles pregnant with posters on the corner
Telephone poles covered with advertisements and announcements
Hyping play-for-nothing bands of hipsters and a Hohner
Building excitement for bands that play without charging and a reference to a type of harmonica (Hohner)
Double dealing villains on the platform
Dishonest or untrustworthy individuals on a platform or stage
Hungry urban campers by the rail
People without homes who are seeking food and shelter in the city
Pseudo honky tonkin' at the whiskey club
Individuals pretending or imitating a country music scene at a club
Bluegrass bands they pale so good at sipping ale now
A genre of music, bluegrass, that sounds great when accompanied by drinking ale
I'm going downtown anyway
Despite everything, the singer is determined to go downtown
I know of the love of the common people
A reference to understanding and appreciating the love shared among ordinary people
I'm calling out, like bells of a steeple
Expressing a call similar to the ringing of bells in a church tower
(but you) Won't hear coyotes howling
Despite the singer's call, certain natural sounds or elements won't be present in the city
Stars don't light up the sky
An observation that the stars are not visible due to the city's lights
Hustle fills the air in the city
The city is bustling with activity and energy
Blinded to the eagles flying by
Metaphorically unable to see or notice the majestic sight of eagles due to distractions in the city
I'm going downtown anyway
Despite the aforementioned observations, the singer still plans to go downtown
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