Dutton, born in Philadelphia, began playing guitar at age 8. He wrote his first song by the time he was in the 9th grade and began playing harmonica in a wire rack. Dutton credits Bob Dylan and John Hammond Jr., as well as then-contemporary "old school" hip-hop sounds of Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, and Philadelphia's own Schooly D as influences.
Dutton, still in high school at Germantown Friends School, began playing solo on the streets of Philadelphia. After a year of college, he relocated to Boston, working as a fundraiser for Peace Action and playing wherever and whenever he could. One of his few indoor gigs at this time was a Boston bar called The Tam O'Shanter, where he met drummer Jeffrey "The Houseman" Clemens in January 1993. Dutton and Clemens began working as a duo, they were joined a few months later by bassist Jim "Jimi Jazz" Prescott and became the house band on Mondays at The Plough and Stars in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The name G. Love doesn't really have that much of a story to it. The 'G' stands for Good as said in many radio interviews. He said in an interview that the 'Love' was just there because it sounded right.
G. Love featured Jack Johnson on his 1999 LP Philadelphonic playing an early version of Jack Johnson's "Rodeo Clowns" when Jack was an unknown artist. Jack later featured the song on his 2003 LP On and On.
Known nowadays for his excellent live shows, he is often seen touring with Jack Johnson, who signed G. Love to his record label Brushfire Records. He has made appearances on the records of artists such as Slightly Stoopid and Donavon Frankenreiter.
Get Goin’
G. Love Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Running down the steep steps
Here comes the boy, carrying the paper
Catch it in mid-air
Run back up the stairs
Open up to the used auto section
Gotta get a used car, one that?s gonna get me far
It's gonna have to last
I gotta get going
I gotta get going
I gotta ease on, get on down the road
Get going
Well, I'll meet you at the break of dawn
You and me can get along
Got to get away, look for a better day
Bright lights and big cities stay back
Little did I need 'em
'Cause now all I see is mountains and trees
Birds flying, rising up ahead of us
And clean fresh air, clean fresh air is running right through
Us
I gotta get going
I gotta get going
Well I gotta ease on, get on down the road
Get going
Now you know we're all alone don't think we're gonna go home now
'Cause we're happy now
And we're moving right along
Grooving all day long
Never had so much freedom
Not a care in the world and me and you are
Growing stronger together
Now cut back baby now
Do you think we can last forever
Now cut back baby
Do you think we can last forever
I gotta get going
I gotta get going
I gotta ease on, get on down the road
Get going
I gotta get going
I gotta get going
I gotta ease on, get on down the road
Get going
In G. Love’s song “Get Goin’”, the lyrics take us on a journey of adventure, independence and freedom. The first verse takes place with the singer sitting on his front porch, catching the morning paper and flicking through to the “used auto section”. He’s on a mission to find a reliable and sturdy car, one that will “get me far”, but not too fast, and that will have to last. The singer is leaving behind a town or city, represented by bright lights and big cities which he no longer needs. He’s ready for a simpler life; one in which he can appreciate the natural world and the beauty of the mountains and trees around him.
The second verse suggests that someone else might be joining him on this adventure: “I’ll meet you at the break of dawn, you and me can get along…” The singer is excited to be traveling with someone else, possibly a love interest, so they can be “grooving all day long” and experiencing this newfound freedom together. The idea of never having “so much freedom” before indicates that the singer is reveling in this newfound independence and the opportunity to live life on his own terms.
Overall, the song is an ode to the freedom found in independent travel, a celebration of escape from the daily grind, and an appreciation of the beauty in natural landscape. G. Love captures that feeling of excitement and a hunger for adventure with the chorus, “I gotta get going, I gotta ease on, get on down the road, get going.”
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm sitting on the front porch
I am relaxed and taking a moment to enjoy the scenery
Running down the steep steps
I am feeling energetic and ready to take on the day
Here comes the boy, carrying the paper
The newspaper delivery boy is doing his job, which reminds me that it's time to start my day
Catch it in mid-air
I am in good physical shape and able to quickly grab the paper
Run back up the stairs
I am eager to start my day and am willing to put in the effort to do so
Open up to the used auto section
I am in need of a car and am looking for a good deal on a used one
Gotta get a used car, one that?s gonna get me far
I need a reliable car that will take me to my desired destinations
Not too fast, and that car, that car
I am looking for a car that is not too flashy or expensive
It's gonna have to last
I need a car that will be durable and long-lasting
I gotta get going
I am motivated to make progress towards my goals
I gotta ease on, get on down the road
I am excited to start my journey and move forward in life
Well, I'll meet you at the break of dawn
I am planning to meet someone early in the morning to set off on an adventure
You and me can get along
I am confident that I can build a good relationship with this person
Got to get away, look for a better day
I am seeking a change of scenery and hoping for a brighter future
Bright lights and big cities stay back
I am not looking for the hustle and bustle of city life
Little did I need 'em
I realize that I don't need material possessions or a fast-paced lifestyle to be happy
'Cause now all I see is mountains and trees
I am surrounded by beautiful, natural scenery
Birds flying, rising up ahead of us
I am experiencing the wonder of nature and its inhabitants
And clean fresh air, clean fresh air is running right through us
I am breathing in the refreshing air and feeling invigorated
Now you know we're all alone don't think we're gonna go home now
I am enjoying the company of my companions and don't want to leave yet
'Cause we're happy now
I am content and satisfied with my current situation
Grooving all day long
I am having a fun and carefree time with my friends
Never had so much freedom
I am enjoying the liberty of being able to go where I please and do what I want
Not a care in the world and me and you are
I am stress-free and am enjoying the moment with my friend
Growing stronger together
I am building a stronger bond with my companion and this experience is bringing us closer together
Now cut back baby now
I am reflecting on the current moment and am taking a step back to cherish it
Do you think we can last forever
I am hopeful that this positive experience will have a lasting impact
I gotta get going
I am feeling motivated once again to continue my journey
I gotta ease on, get on down the road
I am excited for the future and eager to continue living my life to its fullest potential
Get going
I am ready to move forward and make progress towards my goals
I gotta get going
I am feeling more determined than ever to succeed
I gotta get going
I am focused on my journey and am determined to overcome any obstacles that come my way
I gotta ease on, get on down the road
I am confident that I will succeed in achieving my goals and am looking forward to the journey ahead
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GARRETT DUTTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind