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