Going down
JJ Cale & Leon Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Close that boxcar down
I'm going back
"Going Down" is a song by JJ Cale and Leon Russel that was released in 1971. The song is about a person who has hit rock bottom and is slowly losing everything. The lyrics convey desperation as the singer feels like he's sinking deeper and deeper into despair. The first line, "Yeah, I'm going down," is repeated throughout the song and sets the tone for the whole track.
The repetition of "Going down, down, down" emphasizes the sense of hopelessness felt by the singer. He feels like he's losing control of his life and is powerless to stop his downward spiral. The line "Got my big feet hanging on to the ground" suggests that he's trying to hold on to something - anything - to stop himself from falling. The following line, "Don't let me down, close that boxcar down," suggests that he's stuck in a situation that's out of his control and is begging for someone to help him.
The final line, "I'm going back," is open to interpretation. It could be interpreted as the singer finally accepting his situation and surrendering to it, or it could be interpreted as a glimmer of hope that he'll be able to turn his life around and start again. Overall, "Going Down" is a powerful song that captures the struggle of trying to stay afloat when everything around you is falling apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I'm going down
Affirmation that the singer is descending
Going down, down, down, down, down
Emphasizing the extent of the singer's descent
I'm going down
Reiteration that the singer is descending
Going down, down, down, down, down
Again emphasizing the extent of the artist's descent
Got my big feet,
Confirmation that the artist has large feet
Hanging on to the ground
Feet firmly planted on the ground
Don't let me down,
Request for assistance in staying upright
Close that boxcar down
Command to secure the boxcar, preventing further movement
Don't let me down,
Repeated request for assistance in staying upright
Close that boxcar down
Repeated command to secure the boxcar
I'm going back
Speaker is returning to a previous location or state
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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