John Mellencamp - The Eyes Of Portland lyrics
[John Mellencamp - The Eyes Of Portland lyrics]
As I saw through the eyes of Portland one day
There were so many homeless, they'd all gone astray
They slept on the corners during the day
As not to be harmed when the sun went away
There were old ones and young ones, white ones and black
They were all shapes and sizes, with rags on their backs
So many people mixed up in this stew
With no place to go and nothing to do
All of these homeless, where do they come from?
In this land of plenty where nothing gets done
To help those who are empty and unable to run
Your tears and prayers won't help the homeless
Some are mentally ill, some are higher than kites
Selling their bodies as day turns to night
Where are their loved ones, does anyone care?
To be lost and alone in the middle of nowhere
All of these homeless, where do they come from?
In this land of plenty where nothing gets done
To help those who are empty and unable to run
Your tears and prayers won't help the homeless
What will it take for this country to see
For the grace of God go they and not you and me
The fallen and forgotten, who are down on their knees
Living here in the gutters in this land of the free
All of these homeless, where do they come from?
In this land of plenty where nothing gets done
To help those who are empty and unable to run
Your tears and prayers won't help the homeless
Your tears and prayers won't help the homeless
There were so many homeless, they'd all gone astray
They slept on the corners during the day
As not to be harmed when the sun went away
There were old ones and young ones, white ones and black
They were all shapes and sizes, with rags on their backs
So many people mixed up in this stew
With no place to go and nothing to do
All of these homeless, where do they come from?
In this land of plenty where nothing gets done
To help those who are empty and unable to run
Your tears and prayers won't help the homeless
Some are mentally ill, some are higher than kites
Selling their bodies as day turns to night
Where are their loved ones, does anyone care?
To be lost and alone in the middle of nowhere
All of these homeless, where do they come from?
In this land of plenty where nothing gets done
To help those who are empty and unable to run
Your tears and prayers won't help the homeless
What will it take for this country to see
For the grace of God go they and not you and me
The fallen and forgotten, who are down on their knees
Living here in the gutters in this land of the free
All of these homeless, where do they come from?
In this land of plenty where nothing gets done
To help those who are empty and unable to run
Your tears and prayers won't help the homeless
Your tears and prayers won't help the homeless
About the song John Mellencamp - The Eyes Of Portland
In John Mellencamp's latest release, "The Eyes of Portland," the veteran singer-songwriter takes a daring step into the realm of political commentary. The song addresses the issue of homelessness in Portland, Oregon, but its controversial lyrics and choice of footage have sparked a heated debate among listeners. As an artist known for his heartfelt storytelling, Mellencamp seeks to shed light on a critical social problem plaguing many American cities.
Mellencamp's decision to address the issue of homelessness through "The Eyes of Portland" has generated mixed reactions. Some listeners appreciate his attempt to raise awareness about the plight of the homeless, applauding his willingness to broach a difficult subject. They commend his dedication to shedding light on a problem that affects not only Portland but numerous cities across the nation.
However, criticism has also been prevalent, particularly regarding the song's political undertones. Several listeners accuse Mellencamp of oversimplifying the issue by blaming liberal policies, pointing out the complex array of factors that contribute to homelessness. Others express disappointment with the singer's vocal transformation, noting that his voice has significantly changed over the years, reminiscent of Bob Dylan. Some attribute this alteration to the toll of smoking throughout Mellencamp's career.
One of the primary points of contention surrounding "The Eyes of Portland" is the choice of footage used in the accompanying music video. Several viewers have observed that the visuals do not depict Portland but rather Los Angeles, which has a severe homelessness problem of its own. This discrepancy has led to accusations of laziness and a lack of authenticity, with critics arguing that using actual footage from Portland would have lent more credibility to the song's message.
To fully understand the debate surrounding "The Eyes of Portland," it is essential to contextualize the issue of homelessness within the broader sociopolitical landscape. Many commentators argue that the problem stems from systemic issues, such as income inequality, lack of affordable housing, and limited access to mental health and addiction treatment. They assert that addressing homelessness requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond pointing fingers at specific political ideologies.
Furthermore, opinions diverge on the effectiveness of prayers and tears in resolving the issue. While some listeners appreciate Mellencamp's call for action, others contend that tangible solutions and increased government involvement are necessary to combat the complex problem of homelessness effectively.
Mellencamp's decision to address the issue of homelessness through "The Eyes of Portland" has generated mixed reactions. Some listeners appreciate his attempt to raise awareness about the plight of the homeless, applauding his willingness to broach a difficult subject. They commend his dedication to shedding light on a problem that affects not only Portland but numerous cities across the nation.
However, criticism has also been prevalent, particularly regarding the song's political undertones. Several listeners accuse Mellencamp of oversimplifying the issue by blaming liberal policies, pointing out the complex array of factors that contribute to homelessness. Others express disappointment with the singer's vocal transformation, noting that his voice has significantly changed over the years, reminiscent of Bob Dylan. Some attribute this alteration to the toll of smoking throughout Mellencamp's career.
One of the primary points of contention surrounding "The Eyes of Portland" is the choice of footage used in the accompanying music video. Several viewers have observed that the visuals do not depict Portland but rather Los Angeles, which has a severe homelessness problem of its own. This discrepancy has led to accusations of laziness and a lack of authenticity, with critics arguing that using actual footage from Portland would have lent more credibility to the song's message.
To fully understand the debate surrounding "The Eyes of Portland," it is essential to contextualize the issue of homelessness within the broader sociopolitical landscape. Many commentators argue that the problem stems from systemic issues, such as income inequality, lack of affordable housing, and limited access to mental health and addiction treatment. They assert that addressing homelessness requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond pointing fingers at specific political ideologies.
Furthermore, opinions diverge on the effectiveness of prayers and tears in resolving the issue. While some listeners appreciate Mellencamp's call for action, others contend that tangible solutions and increased government involvement are necessary to combat the complex problem of homelessness effectively.
Add extended interpretation
If you know what the artist is talking about, can read between the lines, and know the history of the song, you can add interpretation to the lyrics. After checking by our editors, we will add it as the official interpretation of the song!