Isaak's music can be described as a blend of country, blues, rock'n'roll, pop and surf rock.
He signed a contract to Warner Brothers Records in 1984 for his first album "Silvertone". Isaak's contract was renewed in 1988 when Warner moved him to their Reprise Records label.
His best-known song is "Wicked Game". Though released on the 1989 album "Heart Shaped World", an instrumental version of the song was later featured in the David Lynch film 'Wild at Heart' (and also years later in the 2000 film The Family Man). An Atlanta radio station DJ began playing the full version and it quickly became a nation-wide top ten hit. The music video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts and was a big MTV and VH1 hit; shot in black and white, it starred Isaak and model Helena Christensen rolling on the beach, embracing and whispering in each others' ears.
In 1999, Isaak's "Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing" was featured in Stanley Kubrick's final film 'Eyes Wide Shut', starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
In 2001, Chris Isaak starred in his own television show, 'The Chris Isaak Show'. It aired from March 2001 to March 2004 in the United States on the cable television network Showtime. This adult comedy show featured Chris Isaak and his band playing themselves with the episode plots based on fictional accounts of the backstage world of Chris Isaak - the rock star next door.
In 2004, his track "Life Will Go On" was featured on the 'Chasing Liberty' soundtrack, which starred Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode.
He hosted a talk show on the Biography cable channel in the United States in 2009 that offered a unique twist - each guest was a musical artist, and both Chris and the artist performed various songs throughout each show. Eight episodes aired in early 2009, featuring guests Trisha Yearwood, Stevie Nicks, Glen Campbell, Michael Buble, Chicago, The Smashing Pumpkins, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and Jewel.
Isaak has also appeared in numerous films, mostly playing minor cameo roles, though he starred with Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda in the 1993 Bernardo Bertolucci-directed 'Little Buddha', and also played a major role in David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' (1992). Other motion pictures include 'Married to the Mob' (1988), 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), 'That Thing You Do!' (1996), and 'A Dirty Shame' (2004). He also guest-starred on the Super Bowl Sunday (1996) edition of the television sitcom Friends and on the HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon (HBO).
Chris is also an amateur boxer, avid surfer and a former Golden Gloves champion.
Goin' Nowhere
Chris Isaak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your the kind of a girl I can tell you make it.
Your the kind of a girl I can tell your goin' nowhere.
Your goin' nowhere.
Like the lips like the look like the way you show it.
Your the kind of girl that I like you know it.
Your the kind of a girl I would say your goin' nowhere.
So take a ride with me now baby hop inside and maybe baby.
We can find a way to make it all ok. Yeah.
Like the stance, like the sky, like the way you shake it.
Your the kind of a girl that looks better naked.
Your the kind of a girl I would say is goin' nowhere.
Your goin' nowhere.
Yeah-A-Oh-A-Whoa-Ho-Yeah
Yeah-A-Oh-A-Way-Hey-Ho
Way-Hey-Oh-A-Way-Hey-Ho- Your goin' nowhere.
Take a ride with me now baby, hop inside and maybe baby.
We can find a way to make it all ok. Yeah.
Like the clothes, like the tan, like the way you shake it.
Your the kind of a girl I can tell you make it.
Your the kind of a girl I would say is goin' nowhere.
Your goin' nowhere.
A-Hey-Ho-A-Way-Hey-Ho
Yeah-A-Hey-Hey-Yeah
Whoa-Hey-Oh-A-Hey-Hey-Ho
Hey-Hey-Ho
The lyrics of Chris Isaak's song "Goin' Nowhere" can be interpreted as the singer expressing his admiration for a woman he finds attractive. He is drawn to her clothes, tan, lips, look, stance, and overall appearance. He is also seduced by the way she moves and shakes, which he finds highly appealing. Despite his obvious attraction to her, the singer ultimately concludes that the woman is "goin' nowhere."
This phrase is repeated several times throughout the song and seems to be a way for the singer to express his pessimism about the woman's future. It suggests that despite her physical beauty and sensuality, she lacks direction or ambition and is unlikely to achieve any significant success or fulfillment in life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Goin' Nowhere" showcase the singer's romantic interest in a woman while also revealing his doubts and concerns about her future potential.
Line by Line Meaning
Like the clothes like the tan like the way you shake it.
I am attracted to your appearance and the way you move.
Your the kind of a girl I can tell you make it.
You seem ambitious and capable of success.
Your the kind of a girl I can tell your goin' nowhere.
Despite your potential, you lack direction and purpose.
Your goin' nowhere.
You are not currently making progress towards your goals.
Like the lips like the look like the way you show it.
I am further drawn to your physical features and confidence.
Your the kind of girl that I like you know it.
I am attracted to you and want to pursue a relationship.
Your the kind of a girl I would say your goin' nowhere.
Unfortunately, your lack of direction and purpose will likely prevent us from having a successful future together.
So take a ride with me now baby hop inside and maybe baby.
Let's try to make the best of our time together and see what happens.
We can find a way to make it all ok. Yeah.
We can work through any problems or obstacles that may come our way.
Like the stance, like the sky, like the way you shake it.
I continue to be drawn to your physical presence and movement.
Your the kind of a girl that looks better naked.
I find you physically attractive and desirable.
Your the kind of a girl I would say is goin' nowhere.
Despite your physical attractiveness, your lack of direction and purpose will likely hold you back in life.
Yeah-A-Oh-A-Whoa-Ho-Yeah
Singing in agreement with the lyrics.
Yeah-A-Oh-A-Way-Hey-Ho
Singing in agreement with the lyrics.
Way-Hey-Oh-A-Way-Hey-Ho- Your goin' nowhere.
Repeating the chorus to emphasize the message that the girl lacks direction and purpose.
Take a ride with me now baby, hop inside and maybe baby.
Repeating the verse to encourage the girl to make the best of their time together.
A-Hey-Ho-A-Way-Hey-Ho
Singing in agreement with the lyrics.
Yeah-A-Hey-Hey-Yeah
Singing in agreement with the lyrics.
Whoa-Hey-Oh-A-Hey-Hey-Ho
Singing in agreement with the lyrics.
Hey-Hey-Ho
Repeating the chorus and ending the song on the message that the girl lacks direction and purpose.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS ISAAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind