hey you
Bachman Turner Overdrive Lyrics


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Hey you, you say you want to change the world
It's alright, with me there's no regret
It's my turn, the circle game has brought me here
And I won't let down 'till every song is set
You realize now
You should have tried now, oooh
The music's gone now
You lost it somehow
Hey you, sha lalala
Hey you, sha lalala
Wooo, sha la la
Wooo, sha la la
Hey you, you say the race is much too fast
It's okay, with me I'm keeping pace
It's my game, the music is inside my head
For every one on top there's one who can't retrace
You realize now
You should have tried now, oooh ooh
The music's gone now, you'll find out
You lost it somehow
Hey you, sha lalala
Hey you, sha lalala
Wooo, sha la la la
Wooo, sha la la la
You realize now oooh
You could have died now, oooh
The music's gone now
You lost it somehow
Hey you, hey you, sha lalala
Hey you, sha lalala
Wooo, sha la la
Wooo, sha la la
Sha lalala, hey you, hey you, hey you
Sha lalala, ba-ba-ba-baby's stupid (?)
Sha lalala, no time, no time left, no time




Sha lalala, don't let me down, don't let me down
(music and singing fades out)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in "Hey You" by Bachman Turner Overdrive express the idea that while one person may feel like they can't make a difference in the world, they can still have an impact through their music. The singer speaks to someone who wants to change the world but feels overwhelmed by the challenges and pace of life. The singer acknowledges their struggle, but encourages them not to give up. The line "It's my turn, the circle game has brought me here" refers to the cyclical nature of life and how it has brought the singer to this moment where they can make a difference through their music.


The repetition of the phrase "Hey you, sha lalala" suggests a sense of urgency and a call to action. The song's message is reinforced by the chorus, which reminds the listener not to give up on their dreams or let the pressures of life get them down. The final lines of the song, "Sha lalala, don't let me down, don't let me down," emphasize the sense of connection between the singer and the listener and the importance of supporting each other.


Overall, "Hey You" is a message of hope and encouragement, urging listeners to persevere in the face of adversity and use their gifts to make a difference in the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey you, you say you want to change the world
You claim that you desire to make a difference in the world.


It's alright, with me there's no regret
I have no regret about being associated with you.


It's my turn, the circle game has brought me here
My turn to take a shot at life, and I am here as a result of fate.


And I won't let down 'till every song is set
I will keep on striving until every song is set.


You should have tried now, oooh
You should have made the effort earlier.


The music's gone now
The melody that was once within is now inaccessible.


You lost it somehow
You allowed it to slip away somehow.


Hey you, you say the race is much too fast
You consider the competition to be overly competitive.


It's okay, with me I'm keeping pace
It's fine with me because I am keeping up the pace.


It's my game, the music is inside my head
This is my territory, and the melody is always running in my mind.


For every one on top there's one who can't retrace
For every person who achieves success, there is someone who can't replicate it.


You'll find out
You will eventually learn the truth.


You could have died now, oooh
You could have given up by now.


Sha lalala, hey you, hey you, hey you
A sequence of sounds without a clear meaning.


Sha lalala, ba-ba-ba-baby's stupid (?)
A sequence of sounds that may or may not be meaningful.


Sha lalala, no time, no time left, no time
A sequence of sounds indicating the lack of time.


Sha lalala, don't let me down, don't let me down
A sequence of sounds pleading not to be let down.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES TURNER, RANDY BACHMAN, ROBIN BACHMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@JoeM-by5tw

I'm 66 and what do I say to millennials and Generation Z's who glorify the crap music put out today? I just say you weren't part of 70's , you wouldn't understand. It's funny on these TV commercials which constantly use 70's music, the Mills and Zs put into a google search and find out the music is from the 70's. 50 years ago and still kicking ass.

@JoeM-by5tw

Being 66 I must say getting old sucks. Bought the MRIV album in early 77. Played the shit out of that album. Most people commenting on this song were from that era. Don't have to tell you that you could see 3 top rock bands costing only $10-13. Concerts would last sometimes 4-5 hours. And ya know something, in all the concerts I saw I never once witnessed an argument or fight. We were young , but we knew how to act even though we were drunk and stoned. Different world now. Where the hell is my wine flask?

@eandsm4620

@@JoeM-by5tw Those were the days! Indeed!

@victormalkos2967

You tell em poppy

@kamfumuphiri8111

Believe it or not... I'm a 35 year old Zambian... yes Zambian 🇿🇲 & I have my dad to thank for raising me on this music...Dire Straits, Black Sabbath, REO Speedwagon & many more

@brendanstevenson7551

I'm a millennial born 1994 and I love 60s and 70s music ,I was brought up on it

5 More Replies...

@Pattern51lover

It blows my mind that this came out in 1975. I thought this was a 90’s song!! Such a forward sound.

@joepepitone2391

Should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,its a crime that they aren't in my opinion.

@b1rdwillis584

Blessed to be in that era... damned to still be in this one...

@stephenwynne6071

My senior year of high school. Simply put, it's a great song that's never on the radio!

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