Step Aside
Emerson Lake Powell Lyrics
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I struck a light
But no one could have seen me without second sight
Taking flight
Handle me with care I'm dynamite
Looking for some place to hide
A voice inside
Step aside
If you take me for a fool I'm cyanide
Just like a raging storm
No one can break the fall
They're trying to take us over
Our backs are against the wall
I try and turn my face away
But that's OK
Cos one way or another you may find that it will ricochet
Anyway
They say every dog will have his day
Just like a raging storm
No one can break the fall
They're trying to take us over
But our backs are against the wall
Standing next to heaven's gate
Just can't relate
Unable to remember who was on the slate
Get it straight
Before it gets too hard to operate
The lyrics of "Step Aside" by Emerson Lake Powell depict the journey of a man who is trying to escape from his past but finds it difficult to move forward. He is walking down the street, and he strikes a light, indicating that he wants to find his way. However, he believes that no one can see him without second sight, suggesting that he feels invisible and ignored by those around him. He then hears a voice inside, telling him to leave him alone, so he can take a ride. The man decides to step aside and warns that if anyone takes him for a fool, he is like cyanide, which suggests that he can be toxic and harmful.
The lyrics also suggest that the man faces many obstacles in his life, much like a raging storm that cannot be stopped. He feels that someone is trying to take him over, and his back is against the wall, indicating that he is cornered and feels trapped. Despite his efforts to turn away, he knows that he cannot escape his fate, which will always come back to haunt him. He stands next to heaven's gate, unable to remember who was on the slate, indicating that his past continues to influence his present, and he cannot escape it.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking down the street last night
I was walking down the street last night
I struck a light
I found something that helped me see
But no one could have seen me without second sight
I was invisible to anyone who didn't have special sight
Taking flight
I am running away
Handle me with care I'm dynamite
I am very dangerous so treat me gently
Looking for some place to hide
I am searching for somewhere to conceal myself
A voice inside
I have a voice in my head
Said leave this boy alone so you can take a ride
The voice in my head told me to leave a person alone so they can make their own choices
Step aside
Move out of my way
If you take me for a fool I'm cyanide
If you underestimate me, you will regret it
Just like a raging storm
I am filled with anger and energy
No one can break the fall
No one is able to stop me from acting out
They're trying to take us over
Someone is attempting to control or defeat us
Our backs are against the wall
We have no other options or places to go
I try and turn my face away
I attempt to ignore what is happening
But that's OK
It's not a problem or doesn't matter
Cos one way or another you may find that it will ricochet
Eventually, what we do will return to us in some way
Anyway
Regardless
They say every dog will have his day
Everyone will have their moment of glory
Standing next to heaven's gate
I am somewhere close to paradise
Just can't relate
I don't understand and can't connect with what's around me
Unable to remember who was on the slate
I can't recall what I had planned to do
Get it straight
Understand it correctly
Before it gets too hard to operate
Before it becomes too difficult to handle
Writer(s): Ray Griff Copyright: Nde Music. Inc. O.B.O. Blue Echo Music, Nde Music Inc. O.B.O. Roba Music Verlag Gmbh
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.