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.
Going 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
In Chris Isaak's song Going Nowhere, the singer is expressing his attraction to a particular girl. He likes her appearance, the way she moves, and even the way she looks better naked. However, throughout the song, there is a subtle criticism of the girl's lack of direction in life. The lyrics "Your the kind of a girl I can tell you make it" and "Your the kind of a girl I would say your goin' nowhere" suggest that he sees potential in her but also recognizes that she may not be living up to it. Despite this realization, the singer still wants to be with her and offers to take her on a ride to make everything okay.
The song can be interpreted in different ways. Some might see it as a criticism of a woman who appears to be focused solely on her appearance without considering her future. Others might see it as a commentary on the superficial nature of attraction and the tendency to overlook important qualities in a potential partner. Moreover, there is a sense of hope in the song's ending in which the singer suggests that things can be made right if they take a ride together.
Line by Line Meaning
Like the clothes like the tan like the way you shake it.
I find your appearance and mannerisms attractive.
Your the kind of a girl I can tell you make it.
I believe you have the drive and ambition to succeed in life.
Your the kind of a girl I can tell your goin' nowhere.
Despite my initial thoughts about you, I now think you lack direction and will not achieve your goals.
Like the lips like the look like the way you show it.
Your physical features and the way you display them are attractive to me.
Your the kind of girl that I like you know it.
I am attracted to you and want you to know that.
Your the kind of a girl I would say your goin' nowhere.
Despite my attraction to you, I believe you lack direction and will not achieve your goals.
So take a ride with me now baby hop inside and maybe baby.
Let's spend some time together and see where it takes us.
We can find a way to make it all ok. Yeah.
We can work out any issues and make things better between us.
Like the stance, like the sky, like the way you shake it.
Your posture, the sky, and the way you move are all attractive to me.
Your the kind of a girl that looks better naked.
I find you physically attractive without clothing.
Yeah-A-Oh-A-Whoa-Ho-Yeah
A nonsensical exclamation expressing excitement or approval.
Yeah-A-Oh-A-Way-Hey-Ho
A nonsensical exclamation expressing excitement or approval.
Way-Hey-Oh-A-Way-Hey-Ho- Your goin' nowhere.
A chant expressing the belief that the person being referred to lacks direction and will not achieve their goals.
Take a ride with me now baby, hop inside and maybe baby.
Let's spend some time together and see where it takes us.
A-Hey-Ho-A-Way-Hey-Ho
A nonsensical exclamation expressing excitement or approval.
Yeah-A-Hey-Hey-Yeah
A nonsensical exclamation expressing excitement or approval.
Whoa-Hey-Oh-A-Hey-Hey-Ho
A nonsensical exclamation expressing excitement or approval.
Hey-Hey-Ho
A chant expressing the belief that the person being referred to lacks direction and will not achieve their goals.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS ISAAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yasmin Helen McEwen
Still here in 2022.
it was a cloud filled day awash in powdered grey with birdsong keeping up a steady chorus of i love u's
chores to do
nothin new
trying not to over do it
workmen up on the roof again
this song playin tellin me
the cold hard truth
Girl, you're goin nowhere
Don't i know it
reaching for a piece of hope
fantasy finds me asking
is that the Blackhawk touching
down? Finally? After all these years.
Is it time to get out of dodge?
Shake a leg
Bust a move
Blow this Pop stand
Will there be a Rescue?
Just for me?
For a few seconds i let my heart run wild-
God, how she Runs! So Very FAR AWAY!
Just as soon as they hammer in the missing slates they are gone again
there is no helicopter Rescue
No new life
No new Love
back to sorting dirty laundry
and searching thru my fantasies again
Jennifer Huskin
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 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.
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
Teachering
Great song!! Great musicianship!! The incomparable Chris Isaak. He does a song like no one else I can think of; and I do a lot of listening.
Blacques Jacques
Teachering Really ? I think of Roy Orbison and Ricky Nelson whenever I hear him
hefeibao
This is more than a great song. It's phenomenal. Love it!
patti carlisi solomon
one of my favorites:)
Manuel Arias
This is actually a great song
Yasmin Helen McEwen
Still here in 2022.
it was a cloud filled day awash in powdered grey with birdsong keeping up a steady chorus of i love u's
chores to do
nothin new
trying not to over do it
workmen up on the roof again
this song playin tellin me
the cold hard truth
Girl, you're goin nowhere
Don't i know it
reaching for a piece of hope
fantasy finds me asking
is that the Blackhawk touching
down? Finally? After all these years.
Is it time to get out of dodge?
Shake a leg
Bust a move
Blow this Pop stand
Will there be a Rescue?
Just for me?
For a few seconds i let my heart run wild-
God, how she Runs! So Very FAR AWAY!
Just as soon as they hammer in the missing slates they are gone again
there is no helicopter Rescue
No new life
No new Love
back to sorting dirty laundry
and searching thru my fantasies again
Jennifer Huskin
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 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.
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
J Shepard
That was a service to the people.
And the people thank you.
Whit Siever
Drops a sweet bass at the end
Vicki Foster
great drumming too