road
Danny O'Keefe Lyrics

Highways and dance halls
The journey of a musician is all about visiting new cities, performing in different venues and meeting new people on the road.

A good song takes you far
Writing and singing a captivating song has the power of taking the musician to places they have never been before.

Your write about the moon
Musicians like to write about things out of reach, which is why they choose objects like the moon as their inspiration.

And you dream about the stars
The stars represent fame and success. Musicians constantly dream of achieving great heights and being loved by millions of fans around the world.

Blues in old motel rooms
The life of a musician involves a lot of traveling and staying in cheap motels, and the solitude of such places can evoke sadness and melancholy.

Girls in daddy's car
Some musicians find their inspiration in memories of life back home, where girls would hitch lifts in their father's car and have fun on the way.

You sing about the nights
Performing at night is an inherent part of a musician's life which inspires them to write about the beauty of the night sky and its tranquility.

And you laugh about the scars
Musicians are used to overcoming struggles and obstacles on their way to success, and that's why they have the ability to laugh at the wounds they have incurred along the journey.

Coffee in the morning cocaine afternoons
Life on the road can be unpredictable, and that's why some musicians take drugs to change their mood and stay energized throughout the day.

You talk about the weather
Small talk is a necessary evil for musicians who, while on the road, interact with various people and make connections with them, talking about things they may not be interested in.

And you grin about the rooms
Musicians stay in different-sized rooms and perform on various stages throughout their career, and they usually find a way to appreciate the charm of each venue.

Phone calls long distance
With friends and family far away, musicians need to make expensive long-distance phone calls to keep in touch and stay connected.

To tell how you've been
They then fill in their friends and family about their lives and how touring is going.

Forget about the losses, you exaggerate the wins
Musicians try to forget the negative aspects of their career, and focus on the good things to keep their motivation levels high and keep moving forward.

The ladies come to see you
Some groupies follow musicians from town to town, and they usually attend their shows.

If your name still rings a bell
If a musician is famous enough, people will still remember him/her, but in a year or two, they may become irrelevant.

They give you damn near nothin
Groupies don't usually have much to offer, except for their attention and affection, which can easily fade away.

And they'll say they knew you well
Groupies usually try to get closer to musicians, and they create a bond between them, which can be shallow and temporary.

So you tell em you'll remember
Musicians try not to offend their fans, and they usually make promises they are most likely not going to keep, just to keep the fan happy.

But they know its just a game
Groupies understand their place in the musician's life and that their relationship is superficial and temporary.

Well it isn't for the money
For most musicians, music is not about money. Still, they need to make a living and keep themselves and their band members fed and sheltered.

And its only for a while
The life of a musician has an expiration date, and it comes at a time when an artist is no longer present in the mainstream.

You stalk about the rooms
Musicians need their privacy, and that's why they tend to avoid crowds and people, and prefer to spend time alone for inspiration to come naturally.

And you roll away the miles
Traveling long distances on the road can be tough, but musicians have a job to do and can't afford to be late for their next performance.

Gamblers in the neon, clinging to guitars
Some musicians gamble and spend their earnings on activities like playing online poker, still they cling to their musical instruments knowing that's the only thing they are known for.

You're right about the moon
The moon being a symbol of romantic idealism gives musicians the ability to write about love and the mystery of existence.

But you're wrong about the stars
The pursuit of fame can be a wild goose chase that not all musicians can achieve, and that's ok.

And when you stop to let em know
Sometimes, musicians stop to brag and let others know about their achievements and journey.

You got it down
The feeling of accomplishment during this stop is notable as it is a calming experience in the midst of chaos.

Its just another town along the way
The road never ends for musicians, and even after this stop, there would be a long, exciting journey awaiting them as they travel to their next concert.