"Street Symphony" is a song by American R&B singer Monica. It was written and produced by Dallas Austin for her second studio album, The Boy Is Mine (1998), featuring an orchestral background performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The song was released as the album's fourth single in the United States ("Inside" was released in Europe only) in May 1999. It peaked at number 50 on the US BillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. "Street Symphony"'s accompanying video was directed by Darren Grant.
Music video
A music video for "Street Symphony" was directed by Darren Grant. It takes place at night in the city. In the video; Monica is shown wearing several dark outfits whilst singing different sections of the song. Included are cuts of Monica and her female back-up dancers performing choreography in black leather and musicians playing instruments (violin) in dark clothing. The video is mainly composed of dark greys and blues despite black being a recurring color.
The plot follows Monica's romance and decision to leave a lover involved in unspecified criminal activity. In the opening; there are flashing police lights as police arrest a purposely obscured man. Then; previously; in a luxury apartment Monica wears and admires diamond jewelry (presumably gifts from her lover) as she sings about loving him much more than ill-gotten luxury. While riding along as a passenger in a car with her lover; he makes a stop in a dark place which appears to be a parking garage; exits the car; then talks and walks a distance in the dark with another shady and purposely obscured figure. Monica fumes in the car as she waits. Back in the apartment; Monica tosses the same diamond jewelry she previously admired across the apartment as she exits in a defiant and determined swagger. Once outside; she sees police cars approaching her now ex-lover. He gets arrested; Monica continues on her path.