Story Behind The Song

As a firefighter/paramedic, I often respond to emergency calls in the same city that are so diametrically opposed it is almost too much to comprehend. I've seen folks who worry about dirt on the carpet while across town a single mother is just trying to

Song Description

On one side of town you have folks who escape their unwanted lives by hiding in a cloud of drug-induced hypnosis, while a well-to-do young lady "north of seventh and west of main" is more concerned over which pair of shoes she should wear. Everything ru

Lyrics

South of 7th
Words and Music by James Horning

South of 7th, East of Main
That?s where they go to ease the pain
It may seem harsher than your high for kicks
Their magic ain?t the potion, no it?s the fix

North of 7th, West of Main
Hardly ever seems to rain
Jane is troubled that she can?t decide
To wear the leather flats or the heeled cowhide

And the world still spins on it?s side

chorus
It don?t make sense, and it is not fair
Opportunity knocks but it don?t knock everywhere
And it seems so cruel, yes, it?s like a game
Yet for everyone the rules are not the same

South of 7th, East of Main
A young boy wonders what his life will bring
Will he get out and have a chance to be
Something more than this mediocrity

North of 7th, West of Main
Everything runs smoothly and just the same
But emptiness is growing through cookie-cutter lives
Subconsciously they think they deserve the prize

And the world still spins to it?s demise

chorus
It don?t make sense, and it is not fair
Opportunity knocks but it don?t knock everywhere
And it seems so cruel, yes, it?s like a game
Yet for everyone the rules are not the same

bridge
So I?ll take a stance, I never took before
I?ll pay it forward for a few, yeah well and
Maybe several more

It don?t make sense, and it is not fair
Opportunity knocks but it don?t knock everywhere
And it seems so cruel, yes, it?s like a game
Yet for everyone the rules are not the same