Discover the story of the song > We Got By – Al Jarreau

The protagonist of the song is reflecting on his childhood and how he didn't have a lot of things, like a full belly or new toys. He talks about how he had to take a bus or train to go places and sometimes had to walk a long way to see a movie. While other people had fancy things and flew around like birds, he and his partner just scraped by. They would make the best of things, like brightening up July with fun times and telling their families they were with each other. Eventually, they were able to make a better life for themselves, with the protagonist's partner having a full belly and a new bicycle, and the protagonist's mother having dreams of Los Angeles. Through hard work and love, they were able to overcome their struggles and get by.