Where I was born ev'rything was dull and dingy I lived in a place they called "The Inner City" Getting ahead was strictly a no no 'Cause nobody cares what happens to the folks That live in the ghetto Thousands of lives wasting away People living from day to day It's a challenge just staying alive 'Cause in the ghetto only the strong survive Money I ain't got none, job can't find one The streets raised me from a baby, ooh Thousands of lives wasting away People living from day to day It's a challenge just staying alive 'Cause in the ghetto only the strong survive Broken down homes, kids strung out They don't even know what life's all about Stealin' cars, robbin' bars Mugging, d**, rat infested And no one's interested Kids dodging cars for recreation Only adds to a mother's frustration Break-ins, folks comin' home And finding all their possessions gone Oh it's an every day thing, well well, in the ghetto Oh it's an every day thing in the ghetto