Going Down
J.J. Cale feat. Leon Russell Lyrics


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Yeah, I'm going down
Going down, down, down, down, down
I'm going down
Going down, down, down, down, down
Got my big feet,
Hanging on to the ground
Don't let me down,
Close that boxcar down
Don't let me down,




Close that boxcar down
I'm going back

Overall Meaning

to my old town


The lyrics to J.J. Cale's song "Going Down" describe a sense of defeat and resignation from the perspective of the singer. The repetition of "going down" emphasizes the feeling of sinking or falling, both physically and emotionally. The line "Got my big feet, hanging on to the ground" suggests that even though the singer feels like they are falling, they are holding onto something tangible to keep them grounded. The plea to "close that boxcar down" may be a metaphor for shutting the door on a painful or uncomfortable situation. This could mean leaving a place that no longer feels like home, or perhaps ending a toxic relationship. The singer wants to return to their "old town," which could represent a place where they felt safe and comfortable in the past. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of displacement and longing for stability.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, I'm going down
I'm descending into a lower state or worse situation


Going down, down, down, down, down
My descent is continuous and rapid


I'm going down
I'm aware that I'm losing or failing


Going down, down, down, down, down
My descent is unstoppable and inevitable


Got my big feet,
I have strong footing or foundation


Hanging on to the ground
I'm trying to stay grounded or not lose touch with reality


Don't let me down,
I'm asking for someone to not disappoint or fail me


Close that boxcar down
I want to stop or put an end to something negative in my life


Don't let me down,
I'm again asking for someone to not disappoint or fail me


Close that boxcar down
I want a negative situation or experience to come to an end


I'm going back
I'm returning to a previous state, situation or place




Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GRAHAM JAMES HOOD, PAUL RICHARD DOHERTY, RODNEY JOHN RADALJ, SPENCER PATRICK JONES, WILLIAM JOHN POMMER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@rippi37

I can't be the only person who finds this amazingly talented piano man gorgeous xxx

@sharonjarnagan8045

Been in love with this gorgeous master of time & space since '69.

@rippi37

Yes !! I like the way you stated "gorgeous master of time & space".....absobloodylutely!!!! :)@@sharonjarnagan8045

@judybrodowski

I’m still in love with this gorgeous and amazing man!! So Talented!! Why does he have to be gone from us so soon??

@pamelasmith9379

Amazingly beautiful

@josephhansard7469

The Tulsa trio of JJ, Leon and Carl Radle on bass making some good vibes as they always did. All part of the fantastic Tulsa sound. Clapton would come into town along with George Harrison during Church Studio to jam with them and even hit some Tulsa music hotspots, at times sitting in with the band. Great times in Tulsa during the '70's.

@bradgriffith4231

I lived near Tulsa for 9 years & they have more GR8 bands playing in bars than most cities have visit! Oklahoma is a GR8 place for music lovers! Also saw Leon at the Kinetic Playground in Chitcago when he was with Joe Cocker & the Grease Band, early 70s..

@johnknottenbelt2727

This is the loosest tight groove I've heard in ages. It just locks together from start to finish & who better to serve it up than JJ Cale & Leon Russell. Two of the hottest audio cooks in music. No wonder that every muso of worth & talent, including Eric Clapton wanted to jam with them. Just check out the musos they connected with. Enough to make the dead arise & boogie. ❀

@andyassad2626

I know thousands of artists have played this song but I love Leon’s screech !! Cannot be replicated

@hbrenner

You are 100% right. When he looks at the camera during his solo I lose it every time

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