Road to Nowhere
David Byrne & Richard Thompson Lyrics

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Well we know where we're goin'
But we don't know where we've been
And we know what we're knowin'
But we can't say what we've seen
And we're not little children
And we know what we want
And the future is certain
Give us time to work it out

We're on a road to nowhere
Come on inside
Takin' that ride to nowhere
We'll take that ride

I'm feelin' okay this mornin'
And you know,
We're on the road to paradise
Here we go, here we go

We're on a road to nowhere
We're on a road to nowhere
We're on a road to nowhere

Maybe you wonder where you are
I don't care
Here is where time is on our side
Take you there, take you there

We're on a road to nowhere
We're on a road to nowhere
We're on a road to nowhere

There's a city in my mind
Come along and take that ride
And it's all right, baby, it's all right

And it's very far away
But it's growing day by day
And it's all right, baby, it's all right

They can tell you what to do
But they'll make a fool of you
And it's all right, baby, it's all right

We're on a road to nowhere

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Road to Nowhere" speak to a sense of uncertainty and confusion that many people feel when trying to navigate through life. The first stanza acknowledges that we have a sense of direction and purpose ("we know where we're going"), but we're not always sure how we got there or what we've experienced along the way ("we don't know where we've been" and "we can't say what we've seen"). The second stanza continues this theme by acknowledging that we have knowledge and understanding ("we know what we're knowing"), but that doesn't necessarily translate into being able to articulate or explain it ("we can't say what we've seen"). However, despite all of this uncertainty, the song remains optimistic that we can figure things out if we're given time ("the future is certain, give us time to work it out").

The chorus serves as a sort of mantra throughout the song, with the repetition of "We're on a road to nowhere" underscoring the sense of aimlessness and confusion that the rest of the lyrics explore. The bridge of the song provides a bit of contrast to the rest of the lyrics, with the singer feeling good and optimistic ("I'm feeling okay this morning") and suggesting that they're headed towards something positive ("we're on the road to paradise"). However, this sense of positivity is quickly tempered by the return to the chorus and the suggestion that perhaps "nowhere" is where they're actually headed.

Overall, the lyrics to "Road to Nowhere" speak to a feeling that is common to many people - the sense that we're all just wandering around in confusion, unsure of where we're going or how we got there. The repetition of the chorus and the use of a simple, singable melody make the song feel both catchy and haunting, as if it's a warning hidden inside of a pop song.

Line by Line Meaning

Well we know where we're goin'
We have a destination in mind.

But we don't know where we've been
We don't fully understand our past experiences.

And we know what we're knowin'
We have certain knowledge and understanding of our current situation.

But we can't say what we've seen
We struggle to articulate the complexities of the world we've experienced.

And we're not little children
We are mature adults.

And we know what we want
We have a clear understanding of our desires.

And the future is certain
We have confidence in the trajectory we're on.

Give us time to work it out
We need space and freedom to figure things out for ourselves.

We're on a road to nowhere
Our journey and efforts may lead us to a meaningless destination.

Come on inside
Join us on this journey.

Takin' that ride to nowhere
We are embracing a journey that may not have any real purpose.

We'll take that ride
We are committed to this journey, wherever it may lead us.

I'm feelin' okay this mornin'
I'm doing alright at the moment.

And you know,
You're aware of the current situation as well.

We're on the road to paradise
We're pursuing a destination of idealized perfection.

Here we go, here we go
We're ready to take on the journey ahead with enthusiasm.

Maybe you wonder where you are
You may be questioning your place in the world.

I don't care
I am undeterred by such questioning.

Here is where time is on our side
The present is the best time and place for us to be.

Take you there, take you there
Join us in embracing this journey.

There's a city in my mind
I have a grand vision for the future.

Come along and take that ride
Join me in pursuing that vision.

And it's all right, baby, it's all right
Everything will work out in the end.

And it's very far away
The vision is still distant and its attainment uncertain.

But it's growing day by day
However, we are making progress towards it, little by little.

They can tell you what to do
Others may try to impose their will on you.

But they'll make a fool of you
But ultimately, following their advice will lead to negative consequences.

And it's all right, baby, it's all right
Despite the challenges, we will persevere.

We're on a road to nowhere
Once again, we recognize that our journey may ultimately be fruitless.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chris Frantz, David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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