So far away
Carole King / James Taylor Lyrics
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Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
It doesn't help to know you're just time away
Long ago, I reached for you and there you stood
Holding you again could only do me good
How I wish I could, but you're so far away
Can't say much of anything that's new
If I could only work this life out my way
I'd rather spend it bein' close to you
But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
It doesn't help to know you're so far away
Yeah, you're so far away
Travelin' around sure gets me down and lonely
Nothin' else to do but close my mind
I sure hope the road don't come to own me
There's so many dreams I've yet to find
But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
And it doesn't help to know you're so far away
Yeah, you're so far away
Yeah, you're so far away
Carole King's song "So Far Away" is a melancholic and emotional reflection on the sadness and longing that comes with physical distance between loved ones. The lyrics begin by lamenting the contemporary state of the world in which it seems like nobody stays in one place anymore. The lyrics are sung with a yearning tone, as the singer expresses her desire to see her loved one and to have them close by, "It would be so fine to see your face at my door." However, the singer knows that distance is inevitable and feels helpless in the knowledge that her loved one is "just time away." The lyrics express a deep sense of yearning for physical closeness, "How I wish I could, but you're so far away."
In the second verse, the singer reflects on how the constant traveling has affected her emotionally. The repetition of "One more song about movin' along the highway" seems to reflect a sense of disillusionment with the endless cycle of travel, with the realization that there is little that is new and exciting about it. The singer expresses that if she could, she would choose to be closer to her loved one rather than constantly moving around. The sense of loneliness and exhaustion that comes with endless travel is highlighted in the lines, "Travelin' around sure gets me down and lonely, nothin' else to do but close my mind."
Line by Line Meaning
So far away
The singer is expressing that the person they want to see is distant both physically and emotionally.
Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?
The singer is lamenting the lack of stability and permanence in modern life.
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
The singer longs to be reunited with the person they care about and misses them deeply.
It doesn't help to know you're just time away
Even though they know the person will return eventually, the artist is still saddened by the fact that they are currently apart.
Long ago, I reached for you and there you stood
The artist remembers a time when they were able to be with the person they care about and longs for those moments again.
Holding you again could only do me good
The singer believes that being reunited with the person they care about would make them feel better and happier.
How I wish I could, but you're so far away
The singer expresses their longing for the other person, but acknowledges the reality of their separation.
One more song about movin' along the highway
The artist is tired of the constant travel and change that characterizes their life and wants to settle down.
Can't say much of anything that's new
The artist feels stuck in a rut and unable to break free from their current situation.
If I could only work this life out my way
The artist wishes they had more control over their life and the ability to make their own choices and decisions.
I'd rather spend it bein' close to you
The singer values their relationship with the other person over other aspects of their life, such as their career or travel.
Travelin' around sure gets me down and lonely
The artist is experiencing negative emotions as a result of their constant movement and lack of stability.
Nothin' else to do but close my mind
The singer is unable to distract themselves from their sadness and loneliness and feels stuck with their thoughts.
I sure hope the road don't come to own me
The singer worries that if they continue to travel and live this way, they will lose their sense of self and become consumed by their nomadic lifestyle.
There's so many dreams I've yet to find
Despite their current unhappiness, the singer still sees potential for their life and has many goals and aspirations they hope to achieve.
Yeah, you're so far away
The artist repeats the refrain to emphasize their longing for the other person, who they feel is too distant from them.
And it doesn't help to know you're so far away
Even though they acknowledge the reality of their separation, it still makes the artist sad and they wish it wasn't so.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carole King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rockjen20
James Taylor was only 22 years old here. Crazy how time flies. Carole's voice, just amazing.
Sandra Paul
He reminds me of a young Dan Fogelberg, similar age & same era but Dan was only just starting in the music business in 1971.
King of the Juice
Her voice is lovely, but--in my humble opinion--that's not really what makes her so excellent (many others surpass her in sheer vocal ability). It's the songwriting and the emotion.
Nellie Gonzales
This was my youth
Donnie Moder
Mr. Larkey's bass was a large contribution to the performance also.
Bart Aerts
And already such a great influence. If you're recognized by Carole you have to be good.
James Geis
I don't think we'll ever have music like this again. The 70s were amazing.
francis garganera
Yup. It is.
Ottee2
You ain't just a kiddin'.
some talk about being human
I'm 19 and Carole's songs speak to me in ways that I'm sure will only grow as I get older. What a legend.