Brick Lane

I heard that Brick Lane
Was the place to be seen if you weren't lame
So I took the train and I made my way
But when I got there, everyone had done the same
It was such a shame because I was in pain
'Cause these skinny jeans were so tight around my waist
As was generally in with the current taste in this fixed game
'Cause if the work and play is here,
then you're gonna need a place to stay
And we're all willing to pay if the price is sane
But the free-to-buy landlords up and raised the stakes
To a height we just can't make

So the cash flows from the out-of-town is comin'
With their hands in their parents' pockets for the day-to-day
But that's okay

'Cause I went to Queens Road
That's the main road that runs through Peckham if you don't know
Traditionally a place the streetwives know, but I'd been told
That this was the new cool area in town, but if felt so cold
'Cause all the cheap property had been sold to the landlord guy
And you know how those guys like to put the rent so high
But I suppose that I don't mind if it lowers violent crime
Even though there's a huge line
outside the Bussey building now all the time
And I have to pay to get inside
I didn't, I didn't used to have to do that

And the cash flows from all the wealthy come in
Who seem not to like the scene that led them on
And the scene is gone

But I heard that Berlin
Was the place where you could fight time and possibly win
So I grabbed some cash and a plane and I flew right in
With only my vegan currency and my mandolin
Oh, it was quite a thing that made my head spin
'Cause there's a ring-up up there so your cash don't spread so thin
So I told all my arty friends and they wanted in
But none of the speak German, though, is that gonna be a thing?
I don't know if they wanna learn the language right now
I mean, there's no ... options

I mean, with this energy from us out-of-towners comin'
And they speak English here, so what the hell could go wrong?
With doctors next to painters next to porters
All living equal in the land they settle on
I mean, it might catch on
I hear that Brick Lane
Is the place to be if you can afford the pain
Oh, it just ain't the same