Hi soul sourcers
I’m writing a book where I use lyrics from soul 45s, and Tony Clarkes’ “Poor Boy”, on Chess records, is one of them. He’s using the word “society hill” and I was sure it was just an metaphor for the finer part of a town, but searching for it, I found out that it was (might be?) a famous neighborhood in Center City Philadelphia, PA. So, what do you think, is he singing about Philadelphia? Is there a “valley by an old steel mill” close to Center City?
I’d appreciate any help!
“You can look, but brother don’t you touch/ Go ahead and care, it can’t matter very much/ you’re just a poor boy, and she’s such a wealthy girl/ She’s got money, diamonds and pearls/ And all you got are dreams that may not come true/ You’re just a poor boy, a fellow ….?/ She stays way up on society hill/ You live in a valley by an old steel mill, and never will your lips kiss/ That’s one thought you may as well dismiss/ Cause you’re from a neighborhood where your kind considered no good, you’re just a poor boy”