Long way home
James House And the Blue Cowboys Lyrics

The lyrics of James House And the Blue Cowboys's song "Long Way Down" depict a person who is trapped in a cycle of despair and self-destructive behavior. The opening lines suggest that the singer is constantly tormented by their own inner demons, symbolized by the "Hounds of hell barking" outside their door. Despite their best efforts to find relief or escape, they find themselves unable to break free from this cycle.

The lyrics also allude to a sense of loneliness and hopelessness. The line "Lonely desperation don't do me no good" suggests that the singer feels trapped and unable to find solace in their current state. They are worn out from their constant struggle, exhausted from the lack of rest and sleep they desperately need.

The mention of someone haunting their dreams when their eyes are closed signifies that the singer is haunted by past experiences or memories. It implies a deep emotional attachment to someone they have lost, leading to a sense of longing and regret.

The bridge of the song suggests that the singer may have missed out on their true calling, feeling that they could have achieved great things. However, instead of reaching for success, they keep falling deeper into their self-destructive patterns, resulting in a continuous downward spiral. The line "And it's a long way down tonight" amplifies the intensity of this struggle, emphasizing the depth of their despair.

The lyrics also touch upon the judgments of others, as the singer is labeled a "bad man" for missing a lost love. The conflicting emotions between societal expectations and personal feelings are evident, with the singer feeling trapped by their emotions. The mention of staring at the moon symbolizes a longing for something greater or a sense of longing for what they have lost, but without a clear path forward.

The final lines express a sense of uncertainty and a feeling of being consumed by the struggle. The singer admits to not being able to see the bottom, implying that they cannot foresee an end to their pain or a resolution to their situation. Despite this, the line "All I know is I'd go back up and jump right off again" reveals that, in a twisted way, the singer is willing to repeat the same self-destructive behavior, choosing a difficult and suffocating path rather than facing the unknown reality.