Atlanta Rhythm Section, sometimes abbreviated ARS, is an American rock band… Read Full Bio ↴Atlanta Rhythm Section, sometimes abbreviated ARS, is an American rock band from the South The band unofficially formed in 1970 as former members of the Candymen and the Classics IV became the session band for the newly opened Studio One in Doraville, Georgia, near Atlanta. After playing on other artists' recordings, they decided to become a true band in their own right. The members of the original band were Rodney Justo (singer), Barry Bailey (guitarist), Paul Goddard (bassist), Dean Daughtry (keyboardist) and Robert Nix (drummer). Justo left the band after the first album and was replaced by Ronnie Hammond. Buddy Buie, the band's manager and producer, is listed first on almost all of the songwriting credits of the band's songs.

While ARS would never reach the commercial success of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Marshall Tucker Band, the group had a strong following in the south and charted a number of hits such as "Imaginary Lover," "I'm Not Going to Let it Bother Me Tonight," "Champagne Jam," "So Into You," and a remake of a Classics IV hit, "Spooky."

The band also influenced a number of rock and country artists, notably Travis Tritt, who recorded a cover of the ARS songs, "Back Up Against the Wall" and "Homesick." The group Shudder to Think covered "So Into You."

The Great Escape
Atlanta Rhythm Section Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Heaven help the junkie
He has made a grave mistake
He became a prisoner
Shootin' for the great escape

Don't you point your finger
Give the boy a break
He thought he'd take a tiny taste

And he would find the great escape
From that same ol', same ol'
It's the same old story

Hey there, you cocky rock god
What you so proud about?
I wanna know
Those loyal fans who eat you up
They'll chew you up and spit you out

Whoa, like a passing fancy
You're bound to fade
Big for awhile, and then out of style
You are just the great escape
From that same ol' (same ol'), same ol'

Look at all the people
Lookin' for the great escape
Young folks, old folks going up the country
They're headin' for a holiday

Life ain't no picnic
It ain't no piece of cake

Listen to my music, people
And help me make my great escape

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Atlanta Rhythm Section's song "The Great Escape" speak to the human condition of wanting to escape the mundane and monotonous. The song touches upon different aspects of escapism, whether it's through substance abuse, rock stardom, or simply heading out on a vacation. The opening lines, "Heaven help the junkie, he has made a grave mistake. He became a prisoner, shootin' for the great escape," directly reference drug addiction and the naive hope of finding a way out through the abuse of drugs. The song suggests that addiction is a trap that only leads to further imprisonment for those seeking to escape their problems.

The song also touches upon the life of a rock musician and the temporary fame that comes with it. The line "Hey there, you cocky rock god, what you so proud about? I wanna know. Those loyal fans who eat you up, they'll chew you up and spit you out" speaks to the fleeting nature of fame and the fickle nature of fans. While rock stars may feel like they have successfully escaped reality, this is merely a temporary illusion.

Overall, "The Great Escape" is a powerful song that speaks to the human desire for something more in life, whether it's through substance abuse, fame, or simply leaving it all behind for a while.

Line by Line Meaning

Heaven help the junkie
A plea for divine assistance in the conflict and struggle with drug addiction and its devastating consequences.

He has made a grave mistake
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation and the repercussions of the junkie's choices and actions.

He became a prisoner
Being trapped and confined by the addiction and its adverse effects on one's life and well-being.

Shootin' for the great escape
Trying to break free from the cycle of addiction and the pain and suffering that come with it.

Don't you point your finger
A plea for empathy and understanding instead of condemnation and judgment towards the junkie's struggles.

Give the boy a break
An appeal for compassion and leniency towards someone who is facing difficulties and hardships.

He thought he'd take a tiny taste
The initial desire to experiment with drugs and the ensuing addiction that followed.

And he would find the great escape
The misguided belief that drugs can provide a temporary escape from reality and its problems.

From that same ol', same ol'
The monotony and routine of everyday life that can drive people to seek escape and excitement in various forms.

It's the same old story
The repetitive and predictable nature of human behavior and the patterns of addiction and self-destruction.

Hey there, you cocky rock god
Addressing a conceited and arrogant celebrity who thinks highly of themselves and their fame.

What you so proud about?
Questioning the basis and legitimacy of someone's pride and self-importance.

I wanna know
Expressing a desire for knowledge and understanding of someone or something.

Those loyal fans who eat you up
The devoted and adoring fans who idolize and worship celebrities and consume their music and persona.

They'll chew you up and spit you out
The fickle and transient nature of fame and the entertainment industry, where one can quickly rise and fall from grace.

Whoa, like a passing fancy
Comparing the fleeting and ephemeral nature of fame to a temporary and fleeting infatuation or obsession.

You're bound to fade
The inevitability of decline and decay for any person or thing that is subject to the effects of time and change.

Big for awhile, and then out of style
The tendency for popular trends and cultural phenomena to come and go, with some enjoying temporary success before inevitably falling out of favor.

You are just the great escape
The notion that celebrities and entertainment serve as a form of escapism for people who are dissatisfied with their lives and seeking distraction and entertainment.

Look at all the people
Observing the diverse group of individuals who are all searching for their own version of escape and happiness.

Lookin' for the great escape
The universal desire for freedom, happiness, and fulfillment that drives people to seek change and adventure.

Young folks, old folks going up the country
Referring to the various age groups and demographics of individuals who are traveling to different places to seek adventure and escape.

They're headin' for a holiday
Taking a break from their daily routine and responsibilities in search of relaxation, fun, and enjoyment.

Life ain't no picnic
Acknowledging the difficulties and challenges of life, and the fact that happiness and fulfillment are not guaranteed or easily attained.

It ain't no piece of cake
Reaffirming the previous point and emphasizing the fact that success and happiness require hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

Listen to my music, people
Asking the audience to pay attention to the lyrics and message of the song, which advocates for compassion, empathy, and understanding towards those who are struggling.

And help me make my great escape
Joining the singer in his quest for artistic expression and emotional release, which can provide a form of escape and catharsis for both the artist and the audience.

Contributed by Wyatt V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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