We built this city
we built this city on rock 'n' roll -
Built this city
we built this city on rock 'n' roll

Say you don't know me
well
recognize my face
Say you don't care who goes to that kind of place
Knee deep in the hoop-la
sinking in your fight
Too many runaways eating up the night

Marconi plays the mamba
listen to the radio
Don't you remember?
We built this city
we built this city on rock 'n' roll
We built this city
we built this city on rock 'n' roll -
Built this city
we built this city on rock 'n' roll
Someone's always playing corporation games
Who cares they're always changing corporation names
We just want to dance here but someone stole the stage
They call us irresponsible
write us off the page
Marconi plays the mamba
listen to the radio

It's just another Sunday in a tired old street
The police have the choke hold
and we just lost the beat
Who counts the money underneath the bar?
Who rides the wrecking ball into our guitars?
Don't tell us you need us
'cause we're the ship of fools

Looking for America
crawling through your schools

Don't you remember?
Marconi plays the mamba
listen to the radio
Built this city
we built this city on rock 'n' roll -
Built this city
we built this city on rock 'n' roll