Going Back To My Roots
GROOVE ARMADA Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Zippin' up my boots
Goin' back to my roots
Yeah

To the place of my birth
Back down to earth.

I've been standing in the rain
Drenched and soaked with pain

Tired of short time benefits
And being exposed to the elements.
I'm homeward bound
Got my head turned around.

Zippin' up my boots
Goin' back to my roots
Yeah

To the place of my birth
Back down to earth.
Ain't talkin' 'bout no roots in the land

Talkin' 'bout the roots in the man.
I feel my spirit gettin' old
It's time to recharge my soul
I'm zippin' up my boots
Goin' back to my roots
Yeah

To the place of my birth
Back down to earth.

Zippin' up my boots
Goin' back to my roots.




To the place of my birth
Back down to earth.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Groove Armada’s “Going Back To My Roots” are about the desire to return to one’s origins in order to find oneself again. The first verse talks about the struggles that the singer has endured while away from their roots. They mention being “drenched and soaked with pain” which is a metaphor for feeling overwhelmed and distressed. They are tired of the “short time benefits” that come from being away from where they come from and being “exposed to the elements” which is a metaphor for feeling vulnerable and unprotected.


The second verse is about the realization that they need to go back in order to recharge their soul. They mention that they are not just talking about superficial roots in the land, but that they are talking about the roots in the man. This means that they are not just returning to a physical location, but rather returning to who they truly are. They feel their “spirit getting old” and recognize that it is time to go home.


The chorus repeats the desire to go back to their roots and it is clear that they are determined to do so. The final verse reiterates the notion that the singer is returning to the place of their birth in order to feel grounded once again. “Going Back To My Roots” is a song about recognizing the importance of staying connected to your origins and taking the time to return to them when necessary.


Line by Line Meaning

Zippin' up my boots
Preparing to leave my current situation and embark on a new journey.


Goin' back to my roots
Returning to the place or source where I originated from.


Yeah
Expressing enthusiasm and affirmation towards the decision to go back to one's roots.


To the place of my birth
Referring to the physical location where I was born and raised.


Back down to earth.
Coming back to reality and reconnecting with my humble beginnings.


I've been standing in the rain
Enduring hardships and challenges that have left me feeling vulnerable and exposed.


Drenched and soaked with pain
Feeling emotionally overwhelmed and burdened by the difficulties I have faced.


Tired of short time benefits
Frustrated with superficial results that do not provide long-lasting satisfaction or fulfillment.


And being exposed to the elements.
Feeling unprotected and vulnerable to harsh external circumstances that can impact my wellbeing.


I'm homeward bound
Having a strong sense of direction and purpose towards returning to my place of origin.


Got my head turned around.
Having a new perspective or outlook on life that aligns with my roots.


Ain't talkin' 'bout no roots in the land
Not referring to physical geography or territory, but rather a personal connection to one's cultural identity.


Talkin' 'bout the roots in the man.
Focusing on the inner origins and values that make me who I am and shape my identity.


I feel my spirit gettin' old
Experiencing a sense of exhaustion or weariness in my soul or psyche.


It's time to recharge my soul
Recognizing the need to replenish and rejuvenate my inner self to feel energized again.


Goin' back to my roots
Reaffirming the decision to reconnect with one's cultural or personal background.


To the place of my birth
Returning to the physical location where I was born and raised.


Back down to earth.
Reconnecting with the fundamental aspects of my identity and values to find grounding and stability.


Zippin' up my boots
Getting ready to start a new chapter in life.


Goin' back to my roots.
Fully committing to returning to my cultural or personal origins and identity.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@JamesVibe

Richie Havens gave us his all in every performance! Dude was connected to something deep and spiritual - and his voice is so soulful and honest......we need more people like him in 2019

@eddieredmond7674

When you consider the fact that he played the first Woodstock festival back in "the day" [as it's quaintly refer-ed (? don't mind if I do) to], the fact that he's still around and still charged up, tells you a lot about the man - Legend!

@bicino

@Eddie Redmond yes buy he Is unfortunately dead

@eddieredmond7674

@CINO BIALLO Oh, that is sad to hear. I saw him with Groove Armada at the Virgin festival (some-place north of Birmingham UK) in about 2006 ish. I remember thinking then, that he was remarkably well preserved for a musician who played at Woodstock. I was literally 7 or 8 years old when that festival hit the 1960's.
Thanks for taking the time to inform me of his passing. x

@james5276

He was a legend, kicking out folk anthem's early and rocking the beats with the great GA

@nic5754

Awesome performance ....... makes my night .... funky perfection! My dad was a jazz drummer for 60 years and I have him to thank for my appreciation of this type of music . He's 93 now and still an awesome drumming talent.

@nicky9589

Thats cool as f mate. My dad was a bass teacher, my uncle still teaches at the local school as a drum/ sax/ trumpet teacher,, still does private lessons, in the "shed" yep, the tin shed my grandfather used as a tractor shed, my uncle, has spent over $100 k getting this magic space to where it is. Masterpiece, let alone all the brilliant equipment in there
.Gotta love the family roots..❤ edit: his son, is a drum teacher now, at the age of 32, does drum line , had played some serious gigs.

@andrewgundry5522

Absolute classic. Thanks for having this available, the DVD is long gone!

@rainerk5141

One of the best live performances EVER - R.I.P. Richie

@chasegriffin91

The best group I've ever seen! Saw them in the summer of 2019 before lockdown at the Royal Naval College in London. Incredible support DJs, incredible venue, incredible group!

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