Detour Ahead
Joe Williams - Count Basie Lyrics
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But why am I the only one travelin' this way?
How strange--the road to love should be so easy
Can't you see the detour ahead?
Wake up, slow down
Before you crash and break your heart, gullible clown
You fool, you're headed in the wrong direction
The further you travel, the harder to unravel the web
She spins around you
Turn back while there's time
Don't you see the danger sign?
Soft shoulders surround you
Smooth road, clear night
Oh, lucky me that suddenly I saw the light
I'm turning back away from all that sorrow
Smooth road, clear day
No detour ahead
The further you travel, the harder to unravel the web
She spins around you
Turn back while there's time
Don't you see the danger sign?
Soft shoulders surround you
Smooth road, clear night
Oh, lucky me that suddenly I saw the light
I'm turning back away from all that sorrow
Smooth road, clear day
No detour ahead
The lyrics of Joe Williams & Count Basie's song, "Detour Ahead," talks about a smooth road and clear day, but the singer wonders why he is the only one traveling that way. He finds it strange that the road to love should be easier than the road he is on. The detour ahead is a warning to him that things are not as they seem, and he needs to slow down and wake up before he crashes and breaks his heart. The singer calls himself a gullible clown and is heading in the wrong direction. He realizes that the further he travels, the harder it will be for him to get out of this situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Smooth road, clear day
The beginning of a journey that seems easy and hopeful
But why am I the only one travelin' this way?
Questioning why this journey is being taken alone
How strange--the road to love should be so easy
The path to finding love should be simpler than what is being experienced
Can't you see the detour ahead?
Warning of a hazard or obstacle that will divert the path
Wake up, slow down
A call to awareness and to take a more measured approach
Before you crash and break your heart, gullible clown
An admonition to avoid foolishness that could result in heartbreak
You fool, you're headed in the wrong direction
A direct accusation of moving in the opposite direction of their intended goal
Can't you see the detour ahead?
Repetition of the warning of an upcoming diversion
The further you travel, the harder to unravel the web
The larger the emotional investment, the more difficult to escape a bad situation
She spins around you
The distracting and confusing influence of an alluring individual
Turn back while there's time
An urging to reverse course before it's too late
Don't you see the danger sign?
Pointing out the presence of a visible risk to avoid
Soft shoulders surround you
The presence of a protective barrier in the form of support and guidance
Smooth road, clear night
The once difficult and stressful journey of love is now easy and enjoyable
Oh, lucky me that suddenly I saw the light
Gratefulness for a newfound understanding or realization
I'm turning back away from all that sorrow
Making a change and leaving behind negative experiences
Smooth road, clear day
Returning to the easy and hopeful beginning, without any obstacles or hazards
No detour ahead
No potential for further complications or diversions on this journey
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HERB ELLIS, JOHN FRIGO, LOU CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind