The song gained another wide-spread resurgence of interest 14 years later in 1994, featured on the sound track of the critically acclaimed, Academy Award winning movie, Forrest Gump. Here it found much new appreciation with younger people, and a whole new sect of Seger fans.
Bob has an earlier song Wildfire that was recently re-released on the album Early Seger, Vol. 1 (which is available on Amazon as an MP3 download). The melody is very similar to Against the Wind, but is about the first meeting with Jamie. Listening to both together tells an even more poignant story.
Against the Wind has a deep, well-taught story which means so much to so many people. Listening to it makes one think of their own life, especially if the situation directly parallels the story of the music. It always gets me nostalgic and regretful. I remember, some years later, receiving a letter from my daughter. Inside was just a photograph; that of a young woman, all dressed up with hair done up and serious makeup, on her way to the senior prom. This really hit me very hard, since I wasn't there to witness it first hand; rarely around when I needed to be. I immediately thought of Seger's very powerful words, and how they actually described the very story of my life.
Really a well thought out piece about life itself, and easily adaptable to almost everyone, it's surely a story by which many can identify. Powerful, well written, wonderfully performed and recorded. Against the Wind - Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.
-Pat Martini
Against the Wind
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it was long ago
Janey was lovely she was the queen of my nights
There in the darkness with the radio playing low, and
And the secrets that we shared
The mountains that we moved
Caught like a wildfire out of control
'Til there was nothing left to burn and nothing left to prove
How she swore that it never would end
I remember how she held me oh-so-tight
Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then
Against the wind
We were runnin' against the wind
We were young and strong, we were runnin' against the wind
The years rolled slowly past
And I found myself alone
Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends
I found myself further and further from my home, and I
Guess I lost my way
There were oh-so-many roads
I was living to run and running to live
Never worried about paying or even how much I owed
Moving eight miles a minute for months at a time
Breaking all of the rules that would bend
I began to find myself searching
Searching for shelter again and again
Against the wind
A little something against the wind
I found myself seeking shelter against the wind
Well those drifter's days are past me now
I've got so much more to think about
Deadlines and commitments
What to leave in, what to leave out
Against the wind
I'm still runnin' against the wind
I'm older now but still runnin' against the wind
Well I'm older now and still runnin'
Against the wind
Against the wind
Against the wind
Still runnin' (against the wind)
I'm still runnin' against the wind
(Against the wind) I'm still runnin'
(Against the wind)
I'm still runnin' against the wind
(Against the wind) still runnin'
(Against the wind)runnin' against the wind, runnin' against the wind
(Against the wind) see the young man run
(Against the wind) watch the young man run
(Against the wind) watch the young man runnin'
(Against the wind) he'll be runnin' against the wind
(Against the wind) let the cowboys ride
(Against the wind) aah
(Against the wind) let the cowboys ride
(Against the wind) they'll be ridin' against the wind
(Against the wind) against the wind
(Against the wind) ridin' against the wind...
Against the Wind by Bob Seger is a reflective song about the passage of time, lost love, and the struggles of life. The first verse describes the singer's memories of a past relationship with a woman named Janey, who was the "queen of his nights." They had an intense connection that was fostered by shared secrets and challenges, but eventually burned out. The singer remembers Janey's promise that their relationship would never end and her tight embrace, but he wishes he didn't know what he knows now, that all good things come to an end. The chorus acts as a metaphor for the struggles of life, with the singer and Janey "runnin' against the wind," fighting against inevitable obstacles in their path.
The second verse finds the singer alone and unsure of his path in life. He has left his home behind and surrounded himself with people who he thought were his friends, but had led him astray. He had been living recklessly, running on the adrenaline of the moment and not thinking about the future, but eventually found himself without a clear destination, seeking shelter from the wind. The final verse finds the singer acknowledging that his days of living recklessly are over. He has more responsibilities and needs to make decisions about what to focus on in his life. He still recognizes the struggle of life, but he is still running against the wind, still pushing through the difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems like yesterday
Reflecting on a time long ago that still feels recent
But it was long ago
The realization that the time in question is distant
Janey was lovely she was the queen of my nights
Reminiscing about a past love who was cherished and adored
There in the darkness with the radio playing low, and
Recalling a specific moment with details that made it meaningful
And the secrets that we shared
Feeling a sense of intimacy and trust with another person
The mountains that we moved
Thinking back on the obstacles that have been overcome
Caught like a wildfire out of control
Remembering a passion that was all-consuming
'Til there was nothing left to burn and nothing left to prove
Realizing that everything was given to the relationship and there's nothing more to offer
And I remember what she said to me
A specific phrase or sentiment that still resonates in the present
How she swore that it never would end
The partner guaranteeing an eternal commitment to the relationship
I remember how she held me oh-so-tight
The feeling of security and comfort that was once present
Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then
A hindsight realization that could have changed the course of events
Against the wind
A metaphor for struggling or fighting against a difficult situation
We were runnin' against the wind
Recalling a shared experience of perseverance and tenacity
We were young and strong, we were runnin' against the wind
The difficulties were faced with a sense of vitality and hopefulness
The years rolled slowly past
The passage of time that seems to move gradually but steadily forward
And I found myself alone
Feeling isolated and disconnected from others
Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends
Realizing the people around you are not true supporters
I found myself further and further from my home, and I
Being in a place of physical or emotional distance from where one belongs
Guess I lost my way
Feeling directionless and unsure in life
There were oh-so-many roads
Being overwhelmed by the many paths and choices available in life
I was living to run and running to live
Experiencing a life that is constantly in motion and chasing something unattainable
Never worried about paying or even how much I owed
Living in the moment without concern for future responsibilities
Moving eight miles a minute for months at a time
Feeling like time is passing by so quickly and without control
Breaking all of the rules that would bend
Defying authority or societal norms in order to pursue personal goals
I began to find myself searching
Feeling lost and uncertain, seeking something meaningful
Searching for shelter again and again
Looking for a place of protection and stability
A little something against the wind
A small effort to overcome a difficult situation
Well those drifter's days are past me now
Being in a different place in life, having moved on from previous struggles
I've got so much more to think about
Having new priorities and responsibilities in life
Deadlines and commitments
Focusing on responsibilities that require attention and action
What to leave in, what to leave out
Making decisions about priorities and what is most important
I'm older now but still runnin' against the wind
Continuing to face challenges and obstacles despite the passage of time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Bob Seger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bridgetmcdowell1583
This song came out when I was 4 years old. My parents divorced before I was 3. I grew up loving Bob Seger my entire life but this song always gave me a different feeling... one of nostalgia and comfort and love. Sometimes it would even bring me to tears but I never knew why. I am 46 now and about 3 years ago I shared a lyrics graphic of the song on Facebook with a comment of how much I loved the song and that it felt like home . My step-mother commented on my post saying how much my Daddy loved it too, and would play it over and over and sing it to me and I would sing back as best I could at age 4. My Daddy was killed in car wreck 3 days after my 5th birthday. Because of my young age, the emotions of the song had stayed with me when the memories of why had not. Music is one of the best gifts life has and no one will ever convince me otherwise.
@glendavies4403
Such a touching comment; Where words fail, music speaks. ...may the music always comfort you and be with you forever !!
@drewb9034
This song was played when my lovely friend who passed away on the 21st August 2022, her service was yesterday (27/8/22) and they carried her coffin out of the building playing "Against the Wind". Bob Seger, you're a legend. Thank you for this amazing song. 👍
@tonytorres7262
Sad story my friend ..just like mine too
@steverogers6251
The power of the human soul..+ the greatness of Bob!!!🫡😍
@steverogers6251
I want all of you too know I love ❤️ you…
@johnchan4664
I'm 71 but I still in a struggling situation 🤔 may God 🙏 give me the strength to keep on running against the wind 🌬️
@willykane
you got it buddy
@robertlong2288
Hang in there john . Weve all been there
@michellemordaunt-bexiga4177
Every lyric and chord is as beautiful and emotional as it was 42 years ago. We think we're wiser, but we're just older. Thank you for this song, Bob.