Road Regrets
Dan Mangan Lyrics
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And then walk until our feet are torn
Crawl until we feed the soil
Film the whole thing
It's all business in the left-hand lane
Drive there and then drive back again
Escape can't be the only way to escape
So I've gotten used to coffee sweats
Still getting used to road regrets
And hell I took you up on all your threats to leave
It's a shame
It's a crying shame
Them's the breaks
And ain't it always the way
That takes you back to from where it is you came
And Robbie likes his country tunes
It's never been the lens that I see through
But I guess driving for a week or two
Puts words in your mouth
So find dodge and then get out of it
It's about as country as I get
So you ain't living 'til you're living it
Not dead 'til you die
But watch out for the paraphrase
'Cause they will crown you and they will take your legs
See the cost is more than what you get paid
But do it anyway
It's a shame
It's a crying shame
Them's the breaks
And ain't it always the way
It takes you back to from where it is you came
It's a shame
It's a crying shame
Them's the breaks
And ain't it always the way
It takes you back to from where it is you came
"Road Regrets" by Dan Mangan is a song that describes the life on the road for a traveling musician. The opening lines "We drive until the gas is gone, and then walk until our feet are torn, crawl until we feed the soil, film the whole thing" show a desperate desire to document every moment, but also a sense of exhaustion and desire to be stationary. The song's speaker seems to be grappling with the contradictions inherent in touring: the thrill of the open road but also the tedium and loneliness of life in a van.
The second verse describes the way that the monotony of touring can lead to bad habits - the "coffee sweats" and "road regrets" - and a sense of resignation towards failed relationships. The chorus repeats the phrase "It's a shame, it's a crying shame" as a way of expressing frustration that life on the road is simultaneously everything they ever dreamed of and everything they never wanted.
The final verse describes the way that being on the road can lead to unexpected discoveries: the singer discovers a love for country music, which they never expected to enjoy. But this newfound love is bittersweet because they know that they will eventually have to leave it behind. The song ends with the same refrain as the chorus, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life on the road.
Overall, "Road Regrets" captures the contradictions and complexities of life as a musician on tour. It expresses both the thrill of adventure and the sense of being lost and rootless.
Line by Line Meaning
We drive until the gas is gone
We continue our journey until we run out of fuel
And then walk until our feet are torn
We continue our journey on foot despite the damage it does to our feet
Crawl until we feed the soil
We keep going until we die and our decomposed bodies become part of the soil
Film the whole thing
We capture the entirety of our journey on film
It's all business in the left-hand lane
The act of traveling is purely practical and mechanical
Drive there and then drive back again
We repeat the same journey without changing or breaking the monotony
Escape can't be the only way to escape
Trying to escape from the monotony of life by traveling is not a true escape
So I've gotten used to coffee sweats
I have become accustomed to the physical discomfort caused by drinking too much coffee while traveling
Still getting used to road regrets
Even though I have spent a lot of time traveling, I still feel regretful about it
And hell I took you up on all your threats to leave
I went along with your threats of leaving even though it caused me pain
It's a shame
It's unfortunate
It's a crying shame
It's very unfortunate and sad
Them's the breaks
Those are the unlucky or unfortunate events that happen in life
And ain't it always the way
This is usually how things go
That takes you back to from where it is you came
It ultimately brings you back to where you started
And Robbie likes his country tunes
Robbie enjoys listening to country music
It's never been the lens that I see through
Country music is not my preferred genre of music
But I guess driving for a week or two
Traveling for an extended period of time can influence one's taste in music
Puts words in your mouth
It can inspire you to say things you normally wouldn't
So find dodge and then get out of it
Avoid getting caught up in the typical country lifestyle
It's about as country as I get
This is as much country as I am willing to experience
So you ain't living 'til you're living it
You haven't truly experienced something until you have lived through it
Not dead 'til you die
You are not completely out of time until you have passed away
But watch out for the paraphrase
Be careful of those who may misrepresent or distort what you say
'Cause they will crown you and they will take your legs
If you are misrepresented, it could lead to negative consequences like losing your credibility
See the cost is more than what you get paid
The price you may pay for risk-taking and chasing your dreams may be higher than the reward
But do it anyway
Despite the risks, go for it anyway
It's a shame
It's unfortunate
It's a crying shame
It's very unfortunate and sad
Them's the breaks
Those are the unlucky or unfortunate events that happen in life
And ain't it always the way
This is usually how things go
It takes you back to from where it is you came
It ultimately brings you back to where you started
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Dan Mangan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jovandi_todana
When i listen to this song, i feel getting older๐ด, still love this song like 10 years agoโค
Thank You Blackberry <3
@erwin55
Pensรฉ que nunca me encontrarรญa con alguien te tuviera la misma nostalgia de esa mรบsica, te admiro bro :'D / I thought that I would never meet someone who had the same nostalgia for that music, I admire you bro: 'D
@ariannasantina
damn has it been 10 years lol. ive been listening to dan since he put out the lowest budget music video to go with some of the greatest music ive ever heard- (journal of a narc.) back in like 2007... yea its been a while lol
lol
@paulwise8679
Fantastic piece of music. I dont say that lightly. Im a trained music producer. The arrangement, dynamics, rythm section, tracking, mix, vocals and lyrics all just top shelf stuff. Dan hit a home run with this recording and song. THe video is probably my favorite video of all time. Extremely powerful.
@_veronicua
Forever thanks Black Berry โค๏ธ 10 years listen to Dan ๐๐
@rifqimaalik6927
i found this years ago on my dad's blackberry
the memories stay
@hart.6230
I couldn't find this song for YEARS but i've finally found it! I sung the melody "it's a crying shame thems the brakes" and then google found it for me, such a nostalgic song.
@boricuadelight
this song never fails to pick me up. it's got that anger and that FIGHT in it that everyone can relate to after being hurt. but to me it feels a bit hopeful. or at least like a song where you wont give up after being knocked down. I love this song so much.
@jamesmacinnes2537
I just drove past a horrific motorcycle accident while totally immersed in this song.
Be vulnerable and alive today
Sing,dance,love,play
@abdulelahbashandi4370
Thank you Blackberry<3