Summer's comin' I can feel the heat We'll burn like butter on the hot concrete Desperation on the city street Let's drag our blanket up to Tar Beach Suntan lotion and a cherry coke There ain't no ocean but we seem to float Radio's playing our song - up on the roof Somehow dreams don't seem so outa reach When we make magic up on Tar Beach Tar Beach - it may not be an island paradise Tar Beach - it may not be a sunset on the bay It's right here in the middle of the madness But oh so far away So don't be hanging round the candy store And don't go hitchin' to the Jersey shore It may be sticky and hot, but honey, it's ours Just you and me above the penthouse suite It's a private party up on Tar Beach Tar Beach - it may not be an island paradise Tar Beach - it may not be a sunset on the bay It's right here in the middle of the madness But oh so far away And late in September when the air is cool We'll stop and remember what we used to do So, honey let me show ya what I'm livin' for It's one story higher than the very top floor Heaven's waiting up a fire escape Up on the roof So fly with me above the city streets And we'll spend summer up on Tar Beach Tar Beach - it may not be an island paradise Tar Beach - it may not be a sunset on the bay It's right here in the middle of the madness But oh so far away