Though we might hate to admit it
There are always two sides to every story
Find yourself in the gutter in a lonely part of town
Where death waits in the darkness
With a weapon to cut some stranger down
Sleeping with an empty bottle
He's a sad and an empty hearted man
All he needs is a job and a little respect
So he can get out while he can
We always need to hear both sides of the story
A neighborhood peace is shattered
It's the middle of the night young faces hide in the shadows
While they watch their mother and father fight
He says she's been unfaithful
She says her love for him has gone
And the brother shrugs to his sister and says
"Looks like it's just us from now on"
We always need to hear both sides of the story
And the lights are all on, the world is watching now
People looking for truth, we must not fail them now
Be sure, before we close our eyes
Don't walk away from here till you hear both sides
Here we are all gathered in what seems
To be the center of the storm
Neighbors once friendly now stand each side
Of the line that has been drawn
They've been fighting here for years
But now there's killing on the streets
While small coffins are lined up sadly
Now united in defeat
We always need to hear both sides of the story
And the lights are all on, the world is watching now
People looking for truth, we must not fail them now
Be sure, before we close our eyes
Don't walk away from here till you see both sides
White man turns the corner
Finds himself within a different world
Ghetto kid grabs his shoulder
Throws him up against the wall
He says, "Would you respect me
If I didn't have this gun
'Cos without it, I don't get it
And that's why I carry one"
We always need to hear both sides of the story