Cruise Control
Bruce Hornsby & the Range Lyrics


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It's been a long time coming
This feeling I've got
Things'll always go your way
Such a long shot

Been so deep in the hole
Thought I'd never crawl out
Anything can happen, whoa
I know that now

One slip, one fall
A turn of the head can change it all
A step ahead, a step behind
A blink of an eye at the wrong time

North, south, east and west
Spin the wheel and hope for the best
No regrets and it's on we roll
Put it in drive and set the cruise control

Walk tall and away you go
Wheels roll and the whistle will blow
Many miles, oh, I may roam
Put it in drive and set the cruise control

He was holding on, he trusted me
Then he slipped away
He fell hard and now
I've just got myself to blame

When he smiled at me
Finally, oh, I came around
You can't worry, you never know
So don't beat yourself down

One slip, one fall
A turn of the head can change it all
A step ahead, a step behind
A blink of an eye at the wrong time

North, south, east and west
Spin the wheel and hope for the best
No regrets and it's on we roll
Put it in drive and set the cruise control

Walk tall and away you go
Wheels roll and the whistle will blow
Many miles, oh, I may roam
Put it in drive and set the cruise control

In my darkest hour, my longest day
Oh, my mind was a prison
I could feel it taking me down to stay
Then I said, "Forget this
It's out of your hands anyway"

North, south, east and west
Spin the wheel and hope for the best
Many miles, oh, I may roam
Put it in drive and set the cruise control

Wheels roll and the whistle will blow
Walk tall and away you go
No regrets and it's on we roll
Put it in drive and set the cruise control

Put it in drive and set the cruise control

Oh, where I go I just don't know
Pick myself up and roll, roll




Up ahead can't see it all
Take it slow, let the cards fall

Overall Meaning

The song "Cruise Control" by Bruce Hornsby & the Range is about accepting that life is unpredictable and uncontrollable. The lyrics suggest that even when things seem to be going well, anything can change with one misstep, and it's important to live in the present and not worry about regret. The lyric "put it in drive and set the cruise control" is a metaphor for accepting where life takes you and not trying to control every aspect of it.


The first verse describes a feeling of triumph after overcoming a difficult period in life. The second verse brings a change in tone as the singer reflects on a mistake made in the past that caused someone dear to them to slip away. The bridge speaks about a moment of realization that leads to accepting the unpredictability of life and not dwelling on things that can't be changed.


The song ends on a hopeful note as the chorus repeats the metaphor for living in the present and accepting the unknown. Overall, "Cruise Control" is a song about learning to let go of control and accepting the journey of life.


Line by Line Meaning

It's been a long time coming
I have been waiting for a while


This feeling I've got
I have an emotion I am experiencing


Things'll always go your way
Life will have its ups and downs


Such a long shot
Achieving success is not guaranteed


Been so deep in the hole
I have been stuck in a difficult situation for a long time


Thought I'd never crawl out
I believed I could not overcome the situation


Anything can happen, whoa
Unexpected things can occur


I know that now
I have realized the reality of the situation


One slip, one fall
A single mistake can have consequences


A turn of the head can change it all
Anything can happen quickly


A step ahead, a step behind
Sometimes timing is crucial


A blink of an eye at the wrong time
A moment of inattention can have consequences


North, south, east and west
Every direction is uncertain


Spin the wheel and hope for the best
Take a chance and hope for a good outcome


No regrets and it's on we roll
Move forward without dwelling on the past


Put it in drive and set the cruise control
Take control and maintain a steady pace


Walk tall and away you go
Be confident and move forward


Wheels roll and the whistle will blow
Keep moving forward and go your own way


Many miles, oh, I may roam
I may have a long journey ahead


He was holding on, he trusted me
Someone trusted me with responsibility


Then he slipped away
He lost faith in me


He fell hard and now
He suffered the consequences


I've just got myself to blame
I am responsible for what happened


When he smiled at me
He showed faith in me


Finally, oh, I came around
I started to understand


You can't worry, you never know
There is no point in worrying about the unknown


So don't beat yourself down
Don't dwell on mistakes


In my darkest hour, my longest day
A time when things were really tough


Oh, my mind was a prison
I was trapped in my own thoughts


I could feel it taking me down to stay
I was struggling to escape from my thoughts


Then I said, "Forget this
I decided to stop worrying


It's out of your hands anyway"
Some things are beyond my control


Oh, where I go I just don't know
I am uncertain about where I'll end up


Pick myself up and roll, roll
I will keep moving forward and try my best


Up ahead can't see it all
The future is uncertain


Take it slow, let the cards fall
Take things one step at a time and wait for the outcome




Contributed by Carter R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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