Wanted Man
George Thorogood & The Destroyers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wanted man in Ohio
Wanted man in Kansas City
Wanted man in Buffalo
Wanted man in Oklahoma
Wanted man in old Cheyenne
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
or in Georgia by the sea
Working for some man who may not know who I might be
Yeah if you see me coming and you know who I am
Don't you breathe it to nobody cause you know I'm on the lam
Wanted man by Lucy Watson
Wanted man by Jeannie Brown
Wanted man by Nellie Johnson
Wanted man in this Tex town
And I've had all that I've wanted
Of a lot of things I've had, I've had a lot more than I've needed of some things that turned out bad
I got side-tracked in El Paso, stopped to get myself a map
I went the wrong way into Juarez with Juanita on my lap
I went to sleep in Shreveport, woke up in Abilene
Wondering why the hell I'm wanted at some town half-way between
Wanted man in Albuquereque
Wanted man in Baton Rouge
Wanted man in Tallahasee
Wanted man in Syracuse
There's somebody set to grab me anywhere that I might be
Wherever you might look tonight you might get a glimpse of me
Wanted man in California
Wanted man in Ohio
Wanted man in Kansas City
Wanted man in Buffalo
Wanted man in Oklahoma
Wanted man in old Cheyenne
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
The lyrics to "Wanted Man" by George Thorogood & The Destroyers depict a man on the run, wanted in multiple cities across America. He may be in Colorado or Georgia, working for someone who doesn't know his real identity. The refrain warns anyone who recognizes him to keep quiet because he is "on the lam" or running from the law. The verse also mentions several women who have branded him a "wanted man."
The second verse details his misadventures on the run, including getting sidetracked in El Paso with Juanita, waking up in Abilene, and wondering why he's wanted halfway between those two towns. The final verse emphasizes the fact that he can be found almost anywhere, from California to Syracuse. The song paints a picture of a man with no home, constantly on the move to evade capture.
Overall, the lyrics to "Wanted Man" are an ode to the Wild West and the age-old trope of the outlaw on the run. They capture the romanticized idea of freedom from responsibility and authority, but also the dangers and loneliness that come with a life of constant mobility.
Line by Line Meaning
Wanted man in California
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in California.
Wanted man in Ohio
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in Ohio.
Wanted man in Kansas City
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in Kansas City.
Wanted man in Buffalo
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in Buffalo.
Wanted man in Oklahoma
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in Oklahoma.
Wanted man in old Cheyenne
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in old Cheyenne.
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
This person is a fugitive and could be hiding in any part of the country. Beware of spotting him.
I might be in Colorado
The wanted man could be hiding in Colorado.
or in Georgia by the sea
There is a possibility that he could be hiding in Georgia near the sea.
Working for some man who may not know who I might be
The wanted man could be working for someone who is not aware of his identity, and he might be doing this to avoid getting caught.
Yeah if you see me coming and you know who I am
If you happen to recognize him, it's best to keep it to yourself.
Don't you breathe it to nobody cause you know I'm on the lam
If anyone finds out that you spotted him, that could raise an alarm, which could lead to him being caught by the authorities. So, it's better to keep quiet.
Wanted man by Lucy Watson
The authorities are also searching for this person based on the information provided by Lucy Watson.
Wanted man by Jeannie Brown
The authorities are also searching for this person based on the information provided by Jeannie Brown.
Wanted man by Nellie Johnson
The authorities are also searching for this person based on the information provided by Nellie Johnson.
Wanted man in this Tex town
The authorities are also searching for this person in this Tex town.
And I've had all that I've wanted
This person has experienced everything that they wished for.
Of a lot of things I've had, I've had a lot more than I've needed of some things that turned out bad
This person has had more than necessary, and some of those things have led them into trouble.
I got side-tracked in El Paso, stopped to get myself a map
This person got diverted from his route in El Paso, and had to pause to figure out the directions.
I went the wrong way into Juarez with Juanita on my lap
This person went in the wrong direction into Juarez, with Juanita sitting on his lap.
I went to sleep in Shreveport, woke up in Abilene
This person fell asleep in Shreveport and was surprised to wake up in Abilene.
Wondering why the hell I'm wanted at some town halfway between
He is puzzled about why he is being searched for in a town halfway between the two places he fell asleep.
Wanted man in Albuquerque
The authorities are also searching for this person in Albuquerque.
Wanted man in Baton Rouge
The authorities are also searching for this person in Baton Rouge.
Wanted man in Tallahassee
The authorities are also searching for this person in Tallahassee.
Wanted man in Syracuse
The authorities are also searching for this person in Syracuse.
There's somebody set to grab me anywhere that I might be
This person is aware that there are authorities waiting to catch him at any place he goes to.
Wherever you might look tonight you might get a glimpse of me
The authorities advise people to stay alert, as this person could be seen anywhere tonight.
Wanted man in California
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in California.
Wanted man in Ohio
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in Ohio.
Wanted man in Kansas City
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in Kansas City.
Wanted man in Buffalo
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in Buffalo.
Wanted man in Oklahoma
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in Oklahoma.
Wanted man in old Cheyenne
There is a person being searched for by the law enforcement authorities in old Cheyenne.
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
This person is a fugitive, and he could be hiding anywhere in the country.
Contributed by Caroline W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JohnLeePedimore
George does a pretty good job on this.Cash and Dylan wrote this song together.Marty Stuart has the original lyrics and he says it's written in both their hands.
@James-nz2tk
God bless you George, youāve enriched my life in ways youāll never know, started listening to your music in 1978 when I was 15.
Havenāt stopped since, saw you at Forum in Melbourne last time through and Iāll be there next time. Peace & love.
@tjsworldoffun5708
This is one of his best covers ever, in my opinion! (y)
@heatherlystewart9977
AGREED!!
@getalookatthis
I agree George makes it his own
@atlasking6110
I've been a wanted man in Buffalo, Colorado and Cheyenne. This song speaks to me.
@jeffscott8323
OUCH.
@malcolmtudor8039
Heard this version on the way home from work tonight. Amazing song.
@toshamccarty5115
Thanks for sharing; I have so longed to hear this song for a long time! Wish they would play it on the radio!
@paintu91
Tosha Mc,Carty