These Roads Don't Move
Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard Lyrics

Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard's song These Roads Don't Move talks about the idea of movement and change. The song primarily focuses on the concept that sometimes we feel stuck and helpless, but at the same time, we have the power to break free and move forward. The lyrics, "Cause roads don't move, you're the one that moves," depicts the fact that the path we take is not always the only one, and it is up to us to create our own journey.

The first verse "There is no need to say another word, you'll be golden and eternal just like that" conveys the healing power of silence and how it can facilitate change. The "golden eternity" in the next line signifies the permanence of things. Despite the predictable transformations and transience of life, some elements remain unchanged like love, happiness, and inner peace.

The second verse affirmatively asks the singer to leave the comfort zone and wander towards the unknown. This is evident in the line, "Leave San Francisco behind, go back home across autumn America, and it'll be all like it was in the beginning." This line suggests the singer to revisit the beginning of their journey when everything was new and exciting. The singer aims to find solace in the root when they feel disconnected and empty.

The final set of verses have a reflective and optimistic undertone. The line "All the dark torture is a memory, I do see my star still shining" holds a very profound message. It means that even though the singer has faced dark times in the past, they still have hope and their inner light shining bright. The closing lines "The irrational mortal loneliness is always crowned, Cause roads don't move, You're the one that moves" further reinforces the idea that the singer is in control of their life and they are the ones who can break free from the cycle of loneliness and despair.