Well, I recall days in the city
And I think back: Oh what a pity
Rememberin' how it wasn't pretty
Every day life in the city

Out in the street we had to take it
With friends around, we couldn't fake it
What wasn't there, we had to make it
Hangin' out down in the city

The hard times are dead and gone
But the hard times have made me strong
And the hard times have made me see
That the hard times ain't where I wanna be

We had to fight to be accepted
It wasn't right and I protested
For hangin' out we got arrested
Every day life in the city

We'd go to school and then we'd cut out
Go to the park and space our heads out
We called it fun but there was some doubt
Hangin' out down in the city

The hard times are dead and gone
But the hard times have made me strong
And the hard times have made me see
That the hard times ain't where I wanna be

I don't wanna be there or even think back
I don't wanna be there, now I'm on the right track, yeah

The hard times are dead and gone
But the hard times have made me strong
And the hard times have made me see
That the hard times ain't where I wanna be

I don't wanna be there or even think back
I don't wanna be there, 'cause I'm on the right track
Now I'm on the right track
I'm finally on the right track
I'm finally on the right track