Go On
Joe Farren Lyrics
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They don’t play like they should
The times come for changing
They gave all they could
And you used to hold me
Like I was going off to war
But now no one’s left standing
So go on without me
Go on your own
I’ll think about you
But I'm not about to
Go on alone
You’re so quick to judge me
And kick when I’m down
You laugh at my music
But you still hang around
Well go on without me
And go on your own
I’ll think about you
But I'm not about to
Go on alone
So gather your records
Gather your pride
And keep your convictions
So warm at your side
Just leave my door open
Cause as you walk out the whole world’s walking in
When I swap out these old strings
And start singing again
So go on without me
Go on your own
I might think about you
But I'm not about to go on alone
I’ll think about you
But I'm not about to
Go on alone
These rusty guitar strings
They gave all they could
The opening lines of the song 'Go On' by Joe Farren express a sense of weariness and disillusionment accompanying the end of a relationship. The rusty guitar strings are used as a metaphor to convey how the things that brought them together are now just plain, overused and no longer have the same effect they used to. The singer admits that the time for change has come, but it's not easy to let go of the past. The chorus of the song is about the inevitability of moving on, but with a hint of melancholy regret. The singer is not ready to go on alone yet, but they also don't want to hold the other person back. The second verse alludes to some kind of emotional abandonment by the other person. The way they used to hold the singer before has changed, and they now feel alone and hurt. The other person judges and ridicules the singer for their music, but still hangs around. The singer realizes that they cannot force someone to stay with them and they should move forward.
The third verse of 'Go On' is a statement of the singer's independence and their own way of dealing with the situation. They urge the other person to take what they want and leave, but also to keep their values while they're at it. The singer acknowledges that they need to swap out the old strings and start singing again, a reference to the metaphor used in the opening lines. The song finishes with the singer admitting they'll think about the other person, but they can't go on alone- suggesting that they are now placing greater importance on being self-sufficient.
Line by Line Meaning
These rusty guitar strings
The guitar strings are old and worn out.
They don’t play like they should
The guitar strings no longer sound their best.
The times come for changing
It's time to replace the old guitar strings with new ones.
They gave all they could
The old guitar strings have been used to their fullest potential.
And you used to hold me
The artist was once comforted by their significant other.
Like I was going off to war
The comfort given by the significant other was similar to someone being sent to war, possibly symbolizing a difficult challenge.
But now no one’s left standing
It seems as though the relationship between the singer and their significant other has been strained and has come to an end.
I can’t fight anymore
The artist has given up trying to save their relationship.
So go on without me
The artist is telling their significant other to move on without them.
Go on your own
The artist wants their significant other to experience life without them.
I’ll think about you
The singer will still have their significant other on their mind despite the breakup.
But I'm not about to
The artist has no intention of following their significant other.
Go on alone
The singer will remain by themselves after the breakup.
You’re so quick to judge me
The singer feels like their significant other is critical of them.
And kick when I’m down
The singer feels like their significant other takes advantage of their vulnerable moments.
You laugh at my music
The artist's significant other doesn't appreciate the music they make.
But you still hang around
Despite their differences, the significant other still spends time with the artist.
Well go on without me
The singer repeats their desire for their significant other to move on without them.
And go on your own
The singer repeats their intent for their significant other to experience life without them.
I’ll think about you
The artist will still have their significant other on their mind despite the breakup.
But I'm not about to
The artist has no intention of following their significant other.
Go on alone
The artist will remain by themselves after the breakup.
So gather your records
The singer is telling their significant other to gather their things and leave.
Gather your pride
The artist sarcastically tells their significant other to take their pride with them as well.
And keep your convictions
The singer thinks their significant other should keep their beliefs in mind after the breakup.
So warm at your side
The singer implies that their former significant other will need their beliefs to comfort them.
Just leave my door open
The singer allows their significant other to leave the door as they exit.
Cause as you walk out the whole world’s walking in
The artist acknowledges that the world will keep turning despite the end of their relationship.
When I swap out these old strings
The artist will rejuvenate their guitar with new strings.
And start singing again
With new strings, the singer can continue to make music.
So go on without me
The singer repeats their desire for their significant other to move on without them.
Go on your own
The artist repeats their intent for their significant other to experience life without them.
I might think about you
The artist could still have their significant other on their mind despite the breakup.
But I'm not about to go on alone
The artist won't let the breakup break them.
Contributed by Joshua J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michal Hromádka
Underrated musician! Great music.