Go It Alone
Beck Lyrics
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See me down at the station
By the lane
With my hands in my pocket
Jingling a wish coin
That I stole from a fountain
That was drowning all the cares in the world
When I get older
Just to see the dogs runnin'
With a ring and a question
And my shiverin' voice is singing
Through a crack in the window
I better go it alone
Down on the corner
See me standin'
On a makeshift road
With the dust storm blowin'
In a long black shadow
Pull a hammer from a coal mine
Down where your daddy was workin'
Comb my hair back
Strike a match on a bathroom wall
Where my number was written
Drivin' on the sidewalk
Lookin' back and the sky is burning
In my rear view mirror
I better go it alone
The lyrics to Beck's "Go It Alone" describe someone who is coming to the realization that they may have to face life's challenges on their own. The first verse finds them at a train station with their hands in their pockets and a wish coin jingling, a symbol of their desire for a better life. They reflect on the symbol of the fountain, which is traditionally seen as a source of good luck and wishes fulfilled, but in this context, it is a metaphor for the drowning of the world's problems. The second verse finds them on a dusty corner, remembering their past and where they came from. They pull a hammer from the coal mine, possibly symbolizing the hard work and effort needed to carve out a new life. They strike a match on a bathroom wall, where their number was written, symbolizing a past that they have left behind. And as they drive away, they see the sky burning in their rearview mirror, perhaps symbolizing the burning of their past life.
Overall, the lyrics seem to convey a sense of determination and self-reliance, as well as a recognition that the road ahead may be difficult, but they are willing to face it alone. The imagery used throughout the song is evocative and powerful, painting a picture of a person facing their fears and doubts and moving forward into an uncertain future.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm comin' over
I'm making my way to you
See me down at the station
You can find me at the train station
By the lane
Nearby the narrow road
With my hands in my pocket
I have my hands in my pockets
Jingling a wish coin
Playing with a coin that was thrown into a fountain for good luck
That I stole from a fountain
I took something that belonged to the wishing well
That was drowning all the cares in the world
The fountain was washing away people's troubles
When I get older
As time goes by
Climbin' up on the back porch fence
Going up the fence behind the porch
Just to see the dogs runnin'
Watching the dogs playing
With a ring and a question
Having an engagement ring and asking a question
And my shiverin' voice is singing
I'm singing, and my voice is trembling
Through a crack in the window
Singing through a small opening in the window
I better go it alone
I should do this by myself
Down on the corner
At the street intersection
See me standin'
Notice me standing there
On a makeshift road
On a temporary, makeshift road
With the dust storm blowin'
In the middle of a sandstorm
In a long black shadow
Under an extended, dark shadow
Pull a hammer from a coal mine
Taking a hammer from a place where coal is extracted
Down where your daddy was workin'
At your dad's former workplace
Comb my hair back
Brushing my hair backward
Strike a match on a bathroom wall
Lighting a match on the restroom wall
Where my number was written
Where my number was inscribed
Drivin' on the sidewalk
Driving on the pedestrian path
Lookin' back and the sky is burning
Glancing backwards and witnessing the sky on fire
In my rear view mirror
In my mirror that enables me to view behind me
I better go it alone
It's best for me to take this on my own
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN ROBERT KING, MICHAEL S. SIMPSON, BECK DAVID HANSEN, JACK WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind