Long Shot
Goodnight Texas Lyrics
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A long shot is what I am
I'm a long shot baby
A long shot is what I am
Well, my mane's gone gray but but legs ain't tired
And I can run much faster than anybody says I can
A long shot is what I been
I'm a long shot baby
Been shootin' since I don't know when
Don't put your money on another horse, son
I ain't gonna be one of those twenty-seven also rans
Seems to me there must be some mistake, I don't know where
You got it all wrong, but on the other hand I don't care
I wanna take my time before I get blue in the face
Cut the shit, we both know it, it's a long race
Well, I'm a shortstop baby, a shortstop is what I'll be
I'm a shortstop baby and a shortstop is what I'll be
I can shuffle-step side to side, legs down, open wide
Side-spitting, knocking down every ground ball I see
Seems to me you got a little trouble with the play by play
You got the wrong idea 'bout every other word I say
I wanna call time out and fiddle with my batting gloves
It ain't just good defense that everyone loves
I'm a long shot baby
A long shot is what I am
I'm a long shot baby
A long shot is what I am
Well, my mane's gone gray but but legs ain't tired
And I can run much faster than anybody says I can
I wanna take my time before I get blue in the face
Aw come on, we both know it, it's a long race
The lyrics to Goodnight, Texas's song Long Shot are a celebration of the underdog, someone who has been underestimated and counted out but is determined to prove themselves. The repeated chorus, "I'm a long shot baby, a long shot is what I am," emphasizes the singer's self-awareness of their outsider status. The verses highlight different aspects of this persona - the aging athlete who still has energy and ability, the shooter who has been practicing for so long they don't even remember when they started, the baseball player who knows how to make a good play.
The singer seems to be addressing someone - perhaps a coach, scout, or critic - who has doubted their abilities, but there's also a sense of defiance and independence. They don't want to fit into anyone else's idea of what a winner or success looks like, and they're not concerned with immediate results or recognition. Rather, they're focused on running their own "long race" in their own way, and not worrying about the opinions of others.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a long shot baby
I am an unlikely contender
A long shot is what I am
I have a long shot at winning
Well, my mane's gone gray but but legs ain't tired
I may be getting older but I'm still capable
And I can run much faster than anybody says I can
I am underestimated but I still have speed
I'm a long shot baby
I have a slim chance of success
A long shot is what I been
I have always been considered an unlikely contender
Been shootin' since I don't know when
I have been working towards my goal for a long time
Don't put your money on another horse, son
Don't bet on someone else to win
I ain't gonna be one of those twenty-seven also rans
I will not come in last place like 27 others
Seems to me there must be some mistake, I don't know where
I believe there is a misunderstanding, but I'm not sure where it is
You got it all wrong, but on the other hand I don't care
You have misunderstood me, but it doesn't matter to me
I wanna take my time before I get blue in the face
I want to pace myself and not exhaust myself too quickly
Cut the shit, we both know it, it's a long race
Let's be real, this is going to be a difficult competition
Well, I'm a shortstop baby, a shortstop is what I'll be
I will be playing the position of shortstop
I can shuffle-step side to side, legs down, open wide
I can move quickly and efficiently to make plays
Side-spitting, knocking down every ground ball I see
I am skilled at fielding ground balls
Seems to me you got a little trouble with the play by play
It appears that you don't understand the details of the game
You got the wrong idea 'bout every other word I say
You are misunderstanding me frequently
I wanna call time out and fiddle with my batting gloves
I need a break to adjust my equipment and prepare for my next action
It ain't just good defense that everyone loves
People appreciate my offense as well as my defense
Aw come on, we both know it, it's a long race
Let's be realistic, this competition will be challenging and prolonged
Contributed by Vivian Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.