First Album - From the Hills Below the City (2013) - Houndmouth's first studio album "From the Hills Below the City" was release on June 3, 2013.
Second Album - Little Neon Limelight (2015) - The band's second studio album, "Little Neon Limelight" was released on March 17, 2015
On The Road
Houndmouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm on the road and I'm sinking slowly
I bought a book, I bought a book
I bought a book, gonna read it slowly
I'm going down where nobody knows me
I'm going down where nobody knows me
I'm going down, ain't nobody gonna know me
I had a job, I had a job
I had a job had to leave behind me
I had to move, I had to move
I had to move to another city
I'm going down where nobody knows
I'm going down where nobody knows me
I'm going down, ain't nobody gonna know me
Hey there sugar mama you know what you want but I don't got it
I wish I could help you out but I cannot
Hey there boy blue I think there's something wrong with you
I wish that I could help you out but I cannot
I'm going down where nobody knows
I'm going down where nobody knows
I'm going down, ain't nobody gonna know me
The opening lines of Houndmouth's "On the Road" paint a picture of a troubled journey. The repetition of "I'm on the road" creates a sense of never-ending travel, and the addition of "and I'm sinking slowly" conveys a feeling of hopelessness. The singer has purchased a book, perhaps as a way to escape their thoughts, but even this provides little solace as they plan to read it slowly.
The next verse reveals that the singer has left behind a job and had to move to another city, which suggests that they are running from something. The repetition of "I'm going down where nobody knows me" emphasizes the desire for anonymity and the possibility of starting over. The chorus repeats the same lines, emphasizing the bleakness of the journey and the sense of being lost.
The addition of "Hey there sugar mama" and "Hey there boy blue" adds a human element to the story, but the singer cannot offer any help to these individuals. It hints at the singer's own sense of powerlessness and inability to help themselves, let alone others. The song ends the same way it began, with the repetition of "I'm going down where nobody knows me," creating a full circle of despair.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on the road, I'm on the road
I am currently traveling, moving from one place to another
I'm on the road and I'm sinking slowly
Despite being physically on the move, my mental state is deteriorating
I bought a book, I bought a book
I purchased a literary work
I bought a book, gonna read it slowly
I plan to read the book at a leisurely pace
I'm going down where nobody knows me
I am heading to a place where I have no prior connections and am unknown to the residents
I'm going down where nobody knows me
I am heading to a place where I have no prior connections and am unknown to the residents
I'm going down, ain't nobody gonna know me
I am headed towards anonymity and detachment from my previous life
I had a job, I had a job
I previously had employment
I had a job had to leave behind me
I needed to resign from my previous job
I had to move, I had to move
I was required to relocate
I had to move to another city
My relocation involved moving to a different urban location
I'm going down where nobody knows
I'm heading off to a location where no one will recognize me or address me by name
I'm going down where nobody knows me
I am purposely traveling to a place where I am not recognized by the local populace
I'm going down, ain't nobody gonna know me
I am voluntarily disengaging from my past identity and leaving it behind
Hey there sugar mama you know what you want but I don't got it
Female acquaintance, it sounds like you're searching for something, however, I cannot provide it
I wish I could help you out but I cannot
Unfortunately, I am not in a position to assist you at this time
Hey there boy blue I think there's something wrong with you
Hey fellow, your behavior has presented itself as odd to me
I wish that I could help you out but I cannot
I regret that I cannot offer aid or assistance
I'm going down where nobody knows
My plans involve relocating to a place where I am a complete stranger
I'm going down where nobody knows
I am purposely selecting a location where none of the locals will have prior knowledge of me
I'm going down, ain't nobody gonna know me
I am intentionally seeking a lifestyle where I am anonymous and unknown to people around me
Lyrics © Word Collections Publishing, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Katie Toupin, Matthew Myers, Shane Cody, William Appleby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@katsiarynalukashuk5853
I'm on the road, I'm on the road
I'm on the road and I'm sinking slowly
I bought a book, I bought a book
I bought a book, gonna read it slowly
I'm going down where nobody knows me
I'm going down where nobody knows me
I'm going down, ain't nobody gonna know me
I had a job, I had a job
I had a job had to leave behind me
I had to move, I had to move
I had to move to another city
I'm going down where nobody knows
I'm going down where nobody knows me
I'm going down, ain't nobody gonna know me
Hey there sugar mama you know what you want but I don't got it
I wish I could help you out but I cannot
Hey there boy blue I think there's something wrong with you
I wish that I could help you out but I cannot
I'm going down where nobody knows
I'm going down where nobody knows
I'm going down, ain't nobody gonna know me
@AuburnOwnsU
This is the kind of music you put on repeat until you think you're sick of it, then realize 10-20 years later it's just that freaking good.
@scotstephenson760
RIP HOUNDMOUTH :'(
Goodluck to Katie on her pursuit of a vocal career. her voice is exceptional and God given... no one deserves it more than her...
@hazelstratum
This song is perfect for a car commercials
@ryanacosta6969
I still love this song still today 😁
@RainasRoom
Just saw these guys in Pomona last night. I liked them pretty well before, but I swear I fell in love with them seeing them live.
@TheHanoirockstar
Fantastic Band , LOVE THEM !
@miggysalgado270
great song and album. love their sound. new favorite group
@macybueyy
so amazing live
@prophetia37
Great song! it makes me smile every time I hear it, I can't wait to get the album!!
@ladfemax
what a bump!