Turn on Your Radio
Marc Cohn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now that I am gone
I hope the wind that's blowin'
Helps me carry on
Turn on your radio, baby
Listen to my song
Turn on your night light baby, baby
I'm gone
Turn on your radio
I don't know how it happened
Now that I am gone
I hope I'll never hear it, baby,
Just in case I'm wrong
Turn on your record player
Listen to my song
Turn on your nightlight baby, baby
I'm gone
Really long gone
I don't know where life's goin'
But soon it will be gone
I hope the wind that's blowin'
Helps me carry on
Turn on your radio, baby
Baby listen to my song
Turn on the night light, baby, baby
I'm gone
Long gone
Turn on your record player
(Turn on your record player...)
And listen to my song
Everybody had a hard year
And everybody had a good time
Everybody had a wet dream
And everybody saw the sunshine
Everybody had a good year
And everybody let their hair down
Everybody put their socks up
And everybody put their foot down
Listen, listen
The lyrics of Marc Cohn's song "Turn on Your Radio" are filled with a sense of uncertainty and longing for connection. The song opens with the artist expressing his lack of direction, indicating that he is searching for something to hold on to, something to give him a sense of direction. He hopes that the wind blowing will help him carry on, which may be interpreted as a metaphor for the unpredictable nature of life, the ups and downs, and the need to keep moving forward.
The chorus of the song instructs someone to turn on their radio, implying that the artist hopes to be heard and connected through the airwaves. The repetition of the phrase "Turn on your night light baby, baby, I'm gone" reinforces the themes of uncertainty, distance, and longing for connection. The verse where he suggests turning on the record player adds a sense of nostalgia and connection to the past, possibly implying that the artist longs to be remembered and heard even after he is gone.
The final verse of the song brings together all the themes of the lyrics, highlighting the uncertainty of life and the need to keep pushing forward. The phrase "I don't know where life's goin', but soon it will be gone" encapsulates the fear and uncertainty that many people experience as they navigate their lives. However, the mention of the wind blowing again indicates that there is hope, that there is an ever-present force that can guide us through the uncertain and difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know where I'm goin'
I am uncertain about the direction of my life
Now that I am gone
Since I have left the place I was in previously
I hope the wind that's blowin'
I wish for the breeze to lead me forward
Helps me carry on
Aids me in my journey ahead
Turn on your radio, baby
Please switch on your radio, my love
Listen to my song
Hear the melody I have created
Turn on your night light baby, baby
Light up your nightlight for comfort, my love
I'm gone
I have departed from my old life
I don't know how it happened
I have no knowledge of the events that caused this change
I hope I'll never hear it, baby
I wish not to receive bad news, my love
Just in case I'm wrong
To prepare for an unlikely event
Turn on your record player
Activate your record player, please
Really long gone
I have been gone for a very long time
I don't know where life's goin'
I am unaware of the future path of my life
But soon it will be gone
The time remaining will be short
Everybody had a hard year
A difficult year was experienced by all
And everybody had a good time
Pleasant moments were shared by everyone
Everybody had a wet dream
Each person had a steamy night fantasy
And everybody saw the sunshine
Everyone experienced the brightness of the sun
Everybody had a good year
A favorable year was had by all
And everybody let their hair down
Everyone relaxed and let loose
Everybody put their socks up
All individuals worked hard and put in effort
And everybody put their foot down
Each person took a firm stance and refused to budge
Listen, listen
Pay attention, please
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARRY NILSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cygnetseven
Everyone should carry a Harry Nilsson song in their heart. Oh, how I love this one.
@ricksamericana749
Marc Cohn's take on this one is the best one of all. Masterful.
@kathiemyrenaes954
Fantastic cover of this song!!
@stastnam06
Mark Oliver Everett did also a greaaat cover at the potshot in Linz last saturday night. Great show by the way.
@geoffpeterson9161
Exactly right cyg.
@photoleon01
Great song! Mark Oliver Everett did a wonderful cover at The Apollo Theatre last night.
@tomisgood
@cygnetseven well said!