The Ride Part 2
Calexico Lyrics


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Beneath the neon hub of downtown
The local hotel ghosts blow back around
Descend on those drugstore cowboy nights
Cling to the bar, then disappear from sight
Back to the daily regime
Where the late night graveyard shift dampens your dreams
Bitten by the desire and the spell
That leaves you stranded out




Overall Meaning

on that road to hell


In "The Ride Part 2," Calexico captures the haunting existence of those who are lost in the darkness of city life. The song describes the desolate nights of a small town downtown, where the ghosts of the local hotel cling to the bar as if they were still alive. These ghost nights represent the shady allure of city life, where people can escape their daily routine and the monotony of their lives. But eventually, their dreams are dampened by the reality of the late-night graveyard shift, and they seem to be stranded on the road to nowhere, caught up in the spell of addiction and desire.


Line by Line Meaning

Beneath the neon hub of downtown
Under the bright lights and busy streets of the city center, in the midst of all the commotion and activity.


The local hotel ghosts blow back around
The memories and experiences of past guests and inhabitants of the local hotels linger and haunt the present, like ghosts.


Descend on those drugstore cowboy nights
On the nights when people dress up and play the part of the old western cowboys in drugstores, their spirits and energy seem to take a downward turn, leading to feelings of melancholy and nostalgia.


Cling to the bar, then disappear from sight
People hold onto the bar as a place of refuge and support, but ultimately they fade away into the background and are forgotten.


Back to the daily regime
Returning to the routine and monotony of everyday life, devoid of excitement or change.


Where the late night graveyard shift dampens your dreams
Working night shifts can weigh heavily on one's mind and soul, making it difficult to dream and to find hope and inspiration.


Bitten by the desire and the spell
Feeling consumed and influenced by an intense want or need that takes over one's thoughts and actions, almost like a hypnotic spell.


That leaves you stranded out
The desire or spell ultimately leads to a feeling of being lost, without direction or purpose, stranded in one's own thoughts and emotions.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOEY BURNS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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