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, couldn't 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