Goin' Back
Carole King Lyrics
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To the things I learned so well in my youth,
I think I'm returning to
The days when I was young enough to know the truth
Now there are no games
To only pass the time
No more coloring books,
But thinking young and growing older is no sin
And I can play the game of life to win
I can recall a time,
When I wasn't afraid to reach out to a friend
And now I think I've got
A lot more than a skipping rope to lift
Now there's more to do
Than watch my sailboat glide
Then everyday can be my magic carpet ride
And I can play hide and seek with my fears,
And live my life instead of counting my years
Let everyone debate the true reality,
I'd rather see the world the way it used to be
A little bit of freedom, all we're left
So catch me if you can
I'm goin' back
I can recall,
I can remember
I can recall,
I can remember
I can recall,
I can remember
Carole King's Goin' Back is a poignant reflection on the inevitability of aging and the value of nostalgia. The opening lines of the song see King acknowledging her own maturity and reminiscing on the days of her youth when she was "young enough to know the truth." The lyrics suggest that King is yearning to recapture the innocence of her youth and the wisdom she gained in her formative years.
The second verse sees King acknowledging that life has changed since her youth. No longer are there games to while away the time, no more coloring books, and no more Christmas bells to chime. However, King suggests that growing older is not a sin and that she can still play the game of life to win. Instead of dwelling on what she's lost, she chooses to focus on what she's gained through experience.
The third verse of the song sees King discussing the importance of friendship and the power of relationships. She recalls a time when she wasn't afraid to reach out to a friend and suggests that she has much more to offer now than she did when she was younger. The final lines of the song suggest that King is eager to hold onto her freedom and resist the constraints of time. She wants to see the world the way it used to be and is willing to fight to hold onto that freedom.
Overall, Goin' Back is a thoughtful meditation on what it means to grow older and the value of nostalgia. King suggests that while aging may bring its own set of challenges, it's possible to look back on one's youth with fondness and carry the lessons learned through life's journey forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I'm goin' back
I feel like returning back to the past.
To the things I learned so well in my youth,
I'm returning back to the things I knew well when I was young.
I think I'm returning to
I believe I'm going back to
The days when I was young enough to know the truth
The days when I was still young and truth was not clouded by adulthood.
Now there are no games
Nowadays there are no child-like games to play.
To only pass the time
To simply pass the time with no aim or purpose.
No more coloring books,
There are no more coloring books to fill with colors.
No Christmas bells to chime
No more Christmas celebrations with chiming bells.
But thinking young and growing older is no sin
It's not wrong to grow older while still thinking and feeling youthful.
And I can play the game of life to win
I can still play life like a game with the goal of winning.
I can recall a time,
I remember a time when
When I wasn't afraid to reach out to a friend
A time when I wasn't scared to talk to a friend and ask for help.
And now I think I've got
And now I believe I have
A lot more than a skipping rope to lift
More important things to do than just playing with a skipping rope.
Now there's more to do
Nowadays there are many things to do.
Than watch my sailboat glide
More important things than simply watching a sailboat move.
Then everyday can be my magic carpet ride
Everyday can be like a magical carpet ride.
And I can play hide and seek with my fears,
I can face my fears head-on by playing a game of hide and seek with them.
And live my life instead of counting my years
Live in the present and enjoy life instead of just counting the years.
Let everyone debate the true reality,
Let others discuss and argue about what's real.
I'd rather see the world the way it used to be
Personally, I prefer to look at the world as it was before with a simpler perspective.
A little bit of freedom, all we're left
All we have now is a little bit of freedom.
So catch me if you can
You can try to catch me, but I won't stop.
I'm goin' back
I'm returning back to the past.
I can recall,
I remember,
I can remember
I can reminisce and remember.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING, GERRY GOFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fred said
One of the greatest songwriters in my life.
Deaniey May
Congratulations Carole King on your 2021 October Induction into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!! So very well deserved!! You are one of the best artists!! We are blessed with your God given talents!! Thank you for sharing with the world!! I feel we are in a better place because of your kindness!!
Keu MARTINS
Amo essa música! Fala recomeço, de ser feliz! Bela poesia! E, ela é uma excelente letrista.
Sophia Keller
timeless classic... love the Byrds' cover too
Don Fellman
@Donna King that bad uh?
Andrew Hudson
Try Nils Lofgren’s brilliant version from his first solo album
Jim Gleeson
@Donna King yes I read that somewhere. The Byrds covered it too.
Donna King
@Jim Gleeson I heard Dusty's version made Carole cry.
Anakin Skywalker
And Freddie Mercury
Raffaella
"And live my days instead of counting my years...": Carole, you are pure poetry! ❤