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Going up the Country
Canned Heat Lyrics


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I'm goin' up the country, baby don't you want to go?
I'm goin' up the country, baby don't you want to go?
I'm goin' to some place, I've never been before

I'm goin' I'm goin' where the water tastes like wine
I'm goin' where the water tastes like wine
We can jump in the water, stay drunk all the time

I'm gonna leave this city, got to get away
I'm gonna leave this city, got to get away
All this fussin' and fightin' man, you know I sure can't stay

So baby pack your leavin' trunk
You know we've got to leave today
Just exactly where we're goin' I cannot say
But we might even leave the U.S.A.
It's a brand new game, that I want to play

No use in your runnin', or screamin' and cryin'
'Cause you got a home as long as I've got mine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Canned Heat's song "Going Up the Country" reflect the desire for escape and freedom from the stresses of everyday life. The singer is yearning to leave the city behind and venture out to a new place where the water tastes like wine. The line "I'm goin' where the water tastes like wine" is a reference to a biblical story in which Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana, a miracle that signifies new beginnings and transformation. By leaving the city and going up the country, the singer hopes to find a new beginning, a fresh start in a place where the normal rules of society do not apply.


The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody have made it a popular tune throughout the years, often played at outdoor festivals and events. The lyrics celebrate the joys of living off the land and reveling in the simple pleasures of life. The line, "We can jump in the water, stay drunk all the time" speaks to the freedom and carefree lifestyle that the singer is seeking. The song is an anthem to those who desire to break free from the monotony of daily life and experience something new, a call to adventure and exploration.


"Going Up the Country" was released in 1968 as part of Canned Heat's second album, and quickly became a hit, reaching number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has since been covered by numerous artists and used in various movies, commercials, and television shows. Its popularity during the late 1960s and early 1970s can be attributed to its message of peace, love, and freedom, which resonated with the counterculture movement of the time.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm goin' up the country, baby don't you want to go?
Asking someone to join in going to explore a new place


I'm goin' to some place, I've never been before
Exploring an entirely new place


I'm goin' where the water tastes like wine
Heading to a place where the experience is surreal


We can jump in the water, stay drunk all the time
Suggesting that they can do whatever their desires lead them to without any restrictions


I'm gonna leave this city, got to get away
Leaving behind the city's hustle and bustle for an adventure in a quieter place


All this fussin' and fightin' man, you know I sure can't stay
Tired of the drama and conflict in the city, looking for something new to experience


So baby pack your leavin' trunk
Asking the companion to prepare for the new journey


You know we've got to leave today
The sense of urgency with which they need to embark on the adventure


Just exactly where we're goin' I cannot say
Lack of a clear destination, going wherever the adventure takes them


But we might even leave the U.S.A.
Willingness to go beyond the borders and explore new cultures


It's a brand new game, that I want to play
Embracing the adventure wholeheartedly and looking forward to the new experiences


No use in your runnin', or screamin' and cryin'
Asking the companion to not resist and fight the changes


'Cause you got a home as long as I've got mine
Assuring the companion that they have a place to call home as long as the singer has one




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALAN WILSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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