Page type: lyric reference
Artist: David Byrne
Canonical path: /david-byrne/dirty-old-town
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
Dirty Old Town
Read Dirty Old Town lyrics by David Byrne on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Dirty Old Town
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Well, there are 16 people in Danny's apartment
16 people are living in there
Remember the days of rent control
Grandpa remembers rock and roll
These days won't last forever
These days won't last for long
You know, somebody somewhere owes us a favor
That's how things really get done
In this World of Opportunities, it's a Land of Possibilities
We wanna live in a dirty old town
Building it up, tearing us down
With our head in the clouds and our feet on the ground
We wanna live ? dirty old town
Now when the ladies come from Kansas
They wear their traditional colors
Today the fabrics are ragged and torn
The clothes on their backs is all that they own
They say, "Don't draw attention to yourself
They'll tear you apart for a couple a bucks
Keep your head down and keep your nose clean
'Cause people who're scared do dangerous things"
These days can't last forever
These days can't last for long
You know someday things will get better
Somehow things will get done
It's a World of Possibilities,
It's a Land of Opportunities
We wanna live in a dirty old town
Building it up, tearing us down
Head in the clouds and our feet on the ground
We wanna live ? dirty old town
These days shoes are worn only on special occasions
Battles are fought for fam'ly and nations
Maybe you pray, but God isn't home
And there's no guarantee that justice be done
We wanna live in a dirty old town
Building it up, tearing us down
Head in the clouds and our feet on the ground
We wanna live ? dirty old town
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Dirty Old Town"?
David Byrne performs "Dirty Old Town", and this lyric page sits inside the David Byrne catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Dirty Old Town"?
Yes. The related section below points to Forro In The Dark (Asa Branca) and Tiny Town with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by David Byrne?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through David Byrne's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Dirty Old Town yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.