In a career dating back to the 1960s, Moore played with artists including Phil Lynott and Brian Downey during his teens, leading him to membership with the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy on three separate occasions. Moore shared the stage with such blues and rock luminaries as B.B. King, Albert King, Colosseum II, George Harrison, Greg Lake and Skid Row (not to be confused with the hard rock band of the same name), as well as having a successful solo career. He guested on a number of albums recorded by high profile musicians, including a cameo appearance playing the lead guitar solo on "She's My Baby" from Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3.
Moore died of a heart attack in his hotel room while on holiday in Estepona, Spain, in February 2011
Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott (20 August 1949 – 4 January 1986) was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. As leader of the band, Lynott's vocals and bass guitar were a key element in the commercial success of thirteen albums, in addition to a string of hit songs. Lynott also embarked upon a solo career, published two books of poetry, and after Thin Lizzy disbanded, he assembled and fronted the band Grand Slam, of which he was a member until his death in January 1986 at the age of 36.
Phil regularly collaborated with former bandmate blues/rock guitarist Gary Moore on a number of tracks including the singles "Out in the Fields" (a No. 5 UK hit in 1985), his highest-charting single ever, "Parisienne Walkways" (a UK no. 8 hit in 1978), "Back On The Streets" and "Spanish Guitar" in 1979.
Nothing To Lose
Gary Moore & Phil Lynott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You live your life in a state of confusion,
never finding your way.
You've had the breaks,
but you're so disillusioned.
You only live for today.
You never stopped for a red light,
you never even tried.
You're on the wrong side of midnight.
Too fast to live, but too young to die.
Keep on rockin' and rollin'.
Keep on singing the blues.
Keep on rockin' and rollin'.
You've got nothing to lose.
You say that you've got a hot reputation.
You never built it on trust.
I say you're part of a lost generation.
You got left in the dust.
You never stopped for a red light,
you never even tried.
You're on the wrong side of midnight.
Too fast to live, but you're too young to die.
Keep on rockin' and rollin'.
Keep on singing the blues.
Keep on rockin' and rollin'.
You've got nothing to lose.
Keep on rockin' and rollin'.
Keep on singing the blues.
Keep on rockin' and rollin'.
You've got nothing to lose.
Yeah, nothing to lose.
You never stopped for a red light,
you never even tried.
You're on the wrong side of midnight.
Too fast to live, but you're too young to die.
Keep on rockin' and rollin'.
Keep on singing the blues.
Keep on rockin' and rollin'.
You've got nothing to lose.
Keep on rockin' and rollin'.
Keep on singing the blues.
Keep on rockin' and rollin'.
You've got nothing to lose.
(Keep on rockin' and rollin'.)
You've got nothing.
(Keep on rockin' and rollin'.)
No, no, you've got nothing to lose.
(Keep on rockin' and rollin'.)
Nothing, nothing, nothing.
(Keep on rockin' and rollin'.)
You've got nothing to lose.
(Keep on rockin' and rollin'.)
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
(Keep on singing the blues.)
Nothing to lose.
(Keep on rockin' and rollin'.)
Wooh.
(Keep on singing the blues.)
You've got nothing to lose.
(Keep on rockin' and rollin'.)
Nothing, nothing, nothing.
(Keep on singing the blues.)
You've got nothing to lose.
The lyrics of "Nothing to Lose" by Gary Moore and Phil Lynott describe a person who lives their life in a state of confusion, without finding their purpose or direction. Despite having opportunities and breaks, they are disillusioned, and their life is only focused on the present. The opening lines of the song show how the person ignores the warning signs and rushes through life without caution: "You never stopped for a red light, you never even tried. You're on the wrong side of midnight. Too fast to live, but too young to die."
The chorus of the song encourages the person to keep on rockin' and rollin', to keep singing the blues despite their circumstance. The song acknowledges that the person may not have built their reputation on trust or be part of a lost generation, but they still have nothing to lose. The repeated chorus lines create a sense of urgency and encouragement to embrace life, even if it means taking risks.
Overall, the song is a reminder to live life fully and to embrace the present moment, even if things seem uncertain. The lyrics encourage the listener to continue with the passion for music and a love of life, even when the future seems unclear.
Line by Line Meaning
You live your life in a state of confusion, never finding your way.
You're constantly uncertain and directionless in life.
You've had the breaks, but you're so disillusioned. You only live for today.
You've had opportunities, but you're still disenchanted with life and only focused on immediate gratification.
You never stopped for a red light, you never even tried. You're on the wrong side of midnight. Too fast to live, but too young to die.
You're reckless and impulsive, always living on the edge, but you're not ready to face the consequences of your actions.
You say that you've got a hot reputation. You never built it on trust. I say you're part of a lost generation. You got left in the dust.
You may have a reputation, but it's not based on trust or values. You're part of a generation that's lost and left behind.
Keep on rockin' and rollin'. Keep on singing the blues. You've got nothing to lose.
Despite the challenges in life, keep going and expressing yourself fearlessly. There's nothing left to lose.
(Keep on rockin' and rollin'.) You've got nothing. (Keep on rockin' and rollin'.) No, no, you've got nothing to lose.
Even though you may have nothing materially or socially, keep pursuing your passion and what makes you happy without fear.
(Keep on rockin' and rollin'.) Nothing, nothing, nothing. (Keep on rockin' and rollin'.) You've got nothing to lose.
There is nothing holding you back, so keep persisting and striving towards your vision.
(Keep on rockin' and rollin'.) Wooh. (Keep on singing the blues.) You've got nothing to lose.
Celebrate life and express yourself freely, even if it's through sadness and melancholy. There's nothing to fear or lose.
(Keep on rockin' and rollin'.) Nothing, nothing, nothing. (Keep on singing the blues.) You've got nothing to lose.
Again, there's nothing to hold you back, so keep going and expressing yourself without fear.
Contributed by Emily I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.