David Bowie - It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City

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Music Video

Song Lyrics

I had skin like leather and the diamond-hard look of a cobra
I was born blue and weathered but I burst just like a super-nova
I could walk like brando right into the sun, an' dance just like a casanova
With my black-jack and jacket and my hair slicked sweet
Silver studs on my duds just like a harley in heat
When I strut down the street I can hear its' heartbeat
The sisters fell back and said "don't that man look pretty"
The cripple on the corner cried out "penny, nickels for your pity"
Them gasoline boys down-town, they sure talk gritty
It's so hard to be a saint in the city

I was the king of the alley, mama, I could talk some trash
I was the prince of the paupers, crowned down-town at the beggars' bash
I was a pimps main prophet, I kept everything cool
Just a back-street gambler with the luck to lo..ose
And when the heat came down it was left on the ground, mama
Devil appeared to me like jesus through the steam in the street, an'

Showed me a hand that even the cops couldn't beat
And I felt his hot breath on my neck as I dove into the heat, and it's so hard to be a saint when you're just a poor bo..oy out on the street

And the sages of the subway sit just like the living dead
As the tracks clack out the rhythm, the eyes fixed straight ahead
They ride the line of balancin', hold on by just a thread
Well, it's too hot in these tunnels, you can get hit up by the heat
When you get up to get out at your next stop, but they push you right down in your seat
And your heart starts beatin' faster as you struggle to your feet
Then you're out of that hole!, back on the street
And them south-side sisters, they sure look pretty
And the cripple on the corner cries out "nickels for your pity"
And them down-town boys, they sure talk gritty
It's so hard to be a saint in the c..c..city

Release History

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0000-00-00

8 from Sound and Vision

1. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City (3:49)
2. Changes (3:50)
3. Suffragette City (Live) (3:46)
4. Young Americans (5:01)
5. TVC15 (5:32)
6. Rebel Rebel (Single Version) (3:01)
7. John, I'm Only Dancing (Aladdin Sane outtake) (2:43)
8. Ashes to Ashes (4:21)

1997

Alternative Biography

1. 1984/dodo (5:34)
2. This Is Not America (12"-Version) (3:49)
3. Loving the Alien (extended 12" version)
4. Rebel Rebel (4:23)
5. Footstompin' (3:13)
6. Tonight (12"-Vocal-Dance-Mix) (4:31)
7. Absolute Beginners (Full Lenght 12" version)
8. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City (3:49)
9. Panic in Detroit (4:25)
10. Tumble And Twirl (Extended 12"-Dance-Mix) (5:05)
11. Dancing in the Street (12" version) (4:40)
12. The Man Who Sold The World (4:17)
13. Blue Jean (Extended 12"-Dance-Mix) (5:10)
14. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (3:40)
15. All The Young Dudes (3:47)
16. Time Will Crawl (dance Crew 12" mix)
17. Space Oddity (3:46)
18. You Belong In Rock'N'Roll (Extended Dance-Mix) (6:31)
19. Pretty Pink Rose (Original Long Version) (4:44)
20. The Prettiest Star (3:09)
21. Sound & Vision (3:02)
22. The Hearts Filthy Lesson (4:58)
23. Telling Lies (dance mix)
24. Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu) (3:13)
25. Helden (Bowie remix 1989)
26. Ragazzo Solo, Ragazza Sola (5:05)
27. My Death (5:27)
28. The Jean Genie (4:08)
29. Can You Hear Me (5:32)
30. Maggies Farm
31. Somebody up There Likes Me (6:41)
32. Standing Next to You
33. Imagine (4:39)
34. Heroes (6:05)
35. Under Pressure (4:17)

1989

Sound + Vision

1. Space Oddity (Original Demo) (5:10)
2. Wild-Eyed Boy From Freecloud (B-Side Version) (4:51)
3. The Prettiest Star (Single Version) (3:11)
4. London Bye Ta-ta (2:38)
5. Black Country Rock (3:35)
6. The Man Who Sold The World (4:17)
7. The Bewlay Brothers (5:23)
8. Changes (3:50)
9. Round & Round (2:44)
10. Moonage Daydream (4:37)
11. John, I'm Only Dancing (2:43)
12. Drive in Saturday (4:30)
13. Panic in Detroit (4:25)
14. Ziggy Stardust (Live) (3:16)
15. White Light / White Heat (Live) (3:57)
16. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide (Live) (4:30)
17. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (3:09)
18. Sorrow (2:51)
19. Don't Bring Me Down (2:08)
20. 1984/dodo (5:34)
21. Big Brother (3:21)
22. Rebel Rebel (Single Version) (3:01)
23. Suffragette City (Live) (3:46)
24. Watch That Man (Live) (5:08)
25. Cracked Actor (Live) (3:30)
26. Young Americans (5:01)
27. Fascination (5:46)
28. After Today (3:47)
29. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City (3:49)
30. TVC15 (5:32)
31. Wild Is The Wind (6:05)
32. Sound & Vision (3:02)
33. Be My Wife (2:52)
34. Speed Of Life (2:41)
35. Helden (1989 Remix) (3:40)
36. Joe The Lion (3:07)
37. Sons Of The Silent Age (3:19)
38. Station To Station (Live) (8:51)
39. Warszawa (Live) (6:53)
40. Breaking Glass (Live) (3:36)
41. Red Sails (3:45)
42. Look Back in Anger (3:08)
43. Boys Keep Swinging (3:17)
44. Up The Hill Backwards (3:14)
45. Kingdom Come (3:56)
46. Ashes to Ashes (4:21)
47. John I'm Only Dancing (Live) (2:40)
48. Changes (Live) (3:18)
49. The Supermen (Live) (2:44)

19 September 1989

Sound + Vision

1. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (3:09)
2. John, I'm Only Dancing (2:43)
3. Sound & Vision (3:02)
4. Space Oddity (Original Demo) (5:10)
5. Be My Wife (2:52)
6. Changes (3:50)
7. Sorrow (2:51)
8. Wild-Eyed Boy From Freecloud (B-Side Version) (4:51)
9. Don't Bring Me Down (2:08)
10. Speed Of Life (2:41)
11. The Prettiest Star (Single Version) (3:11)
12. The Supermen (3:03)
13. 1984/dodo (5:34)
14. Ashes To Ashes (Single Version) (3:35)
15. Helden (1989 Remix) (3:40)
16. London Bye Ta-ta (2:38)
17. Big Brother (3:21)
18. Black Country Rock (3:35)
19. Joe The Lion (3:07)
20. Rebel Rebel (Single Version) (3:01)
21. Sons Of The Silent Age (3:19)
22. The Man Who Sold The World (4:17)
23. Station To Station (Live) (8:51)
24. Suffragette City (Live) (3:46)
25. The Bewlay Brothers (5:23)
26. Warszawa (Live) (6:53)
27. Watch That Man (Live) (5:08)
28. Breaking Glass (Live) (3:36)
29. Cracked Actor (Live) (3:30)
30. Round & Round (2:44)
31. Moonage Daydream (4:37)
32. Red Sails (3:45)
33. Young Americans (5:01)
34. Fascination (5:46)
35. John, I'm Only Dancing (outtake) (2:43)
36. Look Back in Anger (3:08)
37. After Today (outtake) (3:50)
38. Boys Keep Swinging (3:17)
39. Drive‐In Saturday (4:32)
40. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City (3:49)
41. Panic in Detroit (4:25)
42. Up The Hill Backwards (3:14)
43. Kingdom Come (3:56)
44. TVC 15 (3:42)
45. Ziggy Stardust (Live) (3:16)
46. Ashes to Ashes (4:21)
47. White Light / White Heat (Live) (3:57)
48. Wild Is The Wind (6:05)
49. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide (Live) (4:30)

1998

The Best Of David Bowie 1974/1979

1. Sound & Vision (3:02)
2. Golden Years (Single Edit) (3:29)
3. Fame (4:11)
4. Young Americans (Single Version) (3:16)
5. John, I'm Only Dancing (again) (3:26)
6. Can You Hear Me (5:32)
7. Wild Is The Wind (6:05)
8. Knock On Wood (Live) (3:08)
9. TVC 15 (Single Version) (3:34)
10. 1984 (3:28)
11. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City (3:49)
12. Look Back in Anger (3:08)
13. The Secret Life Of Arabia (3:48)
14. DJ (3:20)
15. Beauty And The Beast (3:36)
16. Breaking Glass (3:29)
17. Boys Keep Swinging (3:17)
18. "Heroes" (Single Version) (3:33)

07 November 2005

The Best of David Bowie 1974-1979

1. Sound & Vision (3:02)
2. Golden Years (Single Edit) (3:29)
3. Fame (4:11)
4. Young Americans (Single Version) (3:16)
5. John, I'm Only Dancing (again) (3:26)
6. Can You Hear Me (5:32)
7. Wild Is The Wind (6:05)
8. Knock On Wood (Live) (3:08)
9. TVC 15 (Single Version) (3:34)
10. 1984 (3:28)
11. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City (3:49)
12. Look Back in Anger (3:08)
13. The Secret Life Of Arabia (3:48)
14. D J (3:23)
15. Beauty And The Beast (3:36)
16. Breaking Glass (3:29)
17. Boys Keep Swinging (3:17)
18. "Heroes" (Single Version) (3:33)

07 November 2005

The Platinum Collection

1. Let's Dance (7:41)
2. Sound & Vision (3:02)
3. The Jean Genie (4:08)
4. Ashes To Ashes (Single Version) (3:35)
5. Golden Years (4:03)
6. Space Oddity (3:46)
7. Fame (4:11)
8. Starman (4:14)
9. Under Pressure (4:17)
10. Fashion (3:20)
11. Young Americans (5:01)
12. Ziggy Stardust (3:14)
13. John, I'm Only Dancing (2:43)
14. John, I'm Only Dancing (again) (3:26)
15. Modern Love (3:56)
16. Can You Hear Me (5:32)
17. China Girl (4:11)
18. Rebel Rebel (4:23)
19. Let's Spend The Night Together (3:10)
20. Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (3:29)
21. Wild Is The Wind (6:05)
22. Knock On Wood (3:26)
23. Suffragette City (3:26)
24. Up The Hill Backwards (3:14)
25. Alabama Song (UK single A-side, 1979) (3:50)
26. Oh! You Pretty Things (3:12)
27. TVC 15 (3:42)
28. 1984 (3:28)
29. Drowned Girl (Vom Ertrunkenen Mädchen) (2:26)
30. Velvet Goldmine (3:11)
31. Cat People (putting out Fire) (6:44)
32. Drive‐In Saturday (4:32)
33. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City (3:49)
34. Diamond Dogs (6:02)
35. Look Back in Anger (3:08)
36. This Is Not America (3:45)
37. Changes (3:50)
38. Loving The Alien (7:11)
39. The Secret Life Of Arabia (3:48)
40. Absolute Beginners (5:38)
41. D J (3:23)
42. Sorrow (2:51)
43. Beauty And The Beast (3:36)
44. The Prettiest Star (3:09)
45. When The Wind Blows (3:34)
46. Blue Jean (3:11)
47. Breaking Glass (3:29)
48. Life on Mars? (3:51)
49. Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) (5:10)
50. Boys Keep Swinging (3:17)
51. Day in Day out (4:12)
52. Heroes (6:05)
53. The Man Who Sold The World (4:17)
54. Time Will Crawl (4:18)
55. Rock 'n' Roll Suicide (2:58)
56. Underground (Single Version) (4:26)
57. All The Young Dudes (3:47)