In the glare of the streetlight
Young toughs on the prowl
In the pale of the moonlight
Ghetto wakes with a howl

Crimes, gettin' ready for crimes
Crimes, in our hearts an' our minds

Hot times in the city
Big deal on the curb
Kids strugglin' to bust out
Tryin' to act on their nerve

It don't matter what they taught you
When you're unemployed
Feelin' restless and ripped off
And you know you're annoyed

I got a new piece of news for you
You can get bailed out
God can change your criminal heart
That's what love's about

It was crime, just a low-down crime
Just a crime, in my heart in my mind

No more crimes
In my heart, in my mind