The Road
Bill Morrissey & Greg Brown Lyrics
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A good song takes you far
Your write about the moon
And you dream about the stars
Blues in old motel rooms
Girls in daddy's car
You sing about the nights
And you laugh about the scars
You talk about the weather
And you grin about the rooms
Phone calls long distance
To tell how you've been
Forget about the losses, you exaggerate the wins
And when you stop to let em know
You've got it down
Its just another town along the road
The ladies come to see you
If your name still rings a bell
They give you damn near nothin
And they'll say they knew you well
So you tell em you'll remember
But they know its just a game
And along the way their faces
All begin to look the same
And when you stop to let em know
You got it down
Its just another town along the road
Well it isn't for the money
And its only for a while
You stalk about the rooms
And you roll away the miles
Gamblers in the neon, clinging to guitars
You're right about the moon
But you're wrong about the stars
And when you stop to let em know
You got it down
Its just another town along the way
The song, "The Road" is a poignant representation of the life of a traveling musician. The lyrics speak of highways, dance halls, old motel rooms, and girls in daddy's car, all embodiments of the road life. The singer is a person who writes songs about the moon but dreams of the stars, alluding to his or her hopes and aspirations. The singer's life is a cycle of coffee in the morning, cocaine in the afternoon, and talking about the weather and reminiscing about the nights in motel rooms. The lyrics also show how the musician exaggerates wins and forgets losses, reinforcing the idea that the road is all about living in the moment.
The song speaks of how women come to see the musician when their name still rings a bell, but they give almost nothing and claim to have known the musician well. The singer assures them he remembers, but everyone's face starts looking the same after a while. The singer knows it is just a game, but it is a reality that must be endured. The song laments the fact that the life of a musician is a lonely one, and the only constant is the unpredictable road.
In conclusion, "The Road" is a classic ode to the life of a musician on the road. It is an accurate portrayal of the highs and lows that come with this life, the collection of experiences, and the reality of being alone. The song speaks to anyone who has ever lived a life of displacement and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Highways and dance halls
Traveling and performing in various venues
A good song takes you far
The power of music to transport and connect people
Your write about the moon
Writing songs about romantic themes and aspirations
And you dream about the stars
Dreaming about success and fame
Blues in old motel rooms
Playing emotional, soulful music in run-down places
Girls in daddy's car
Romanticizing youthful experiences and relationships
You sing about the nights
Performing songs about nightlife and adventures
And you laugh about the scars
Finding humor and resilience in past hardships
Coffee in the morning cocaine afternoons
The highs and lows of life on the road
You talk about the weather
Casual conversation as a means of passing time
And you grin about the rooms
Taking pleasure in the unique spaces where you perform
Phone calls long distance
Connecting with loved ones from afar
To tell how you've been
Sharing news and updates with those back home
Forget about the losses, you exaggerate the wins
Focusing on the positives and downplaying the hardships
And when you stop to let em know
Taking a moment to acknowledge your accomplishments
You've got it down
Feeling confident in your skills and talents
Its just another town along the road
Recognizing that there will always be more shows and more opportunities
The ladies come to see you
Attracting female fans and admirers
If your name still rings a bell
If people still remember and recognize you
They give you damn near nothin
Fans and admirers not offering much tangible support or compensation
And they'll say they knew you well
Fans and admirers claiming a deep connection even though it may not be genuine
So you tell em you'll remember
Promising to keep the connection alive
But they know its just a game
Recognizing that this is all part of the persona and performance
And along the way their faces
Encountering countless fans and admirers
All begin to look the same
Losing the ability to distinguish between individuals in the crowd
Well it isn't for the money
Emphasizing that music is not a lucrative profession
And its only for a while
Acknowledging that life on the road is not sustainable forever
You stalk about the rooms
Navigating and exploring the different venues
And you roll away the miles
Covering great distances while traveling
Gamblers in the neon, clinging to guitars
Referring to other musicians similarly performing night after night
You're right about the moon
Feeling confident in your creative abilities and songwriting talent
But you're wrong about the stars
Realizing that superstardom and lasting fame may not be attainable
And when you stop to let em know
Taking stock of your career and the path you've taken
Its just another town along the way
Recognizing that each show is just one stop on a much larger journey
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANNY O'KEEFE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind