Moving On
Justin Townes-Earle Lyrics


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Well I woke up wondering where I sat just like I always do
I-80 up ahead laid out like a lazy bitch on a Sunday afternoon
Well we're 30 miles from Cleveland, ain't stopping, ain't even passing through
Well at night we'll stop in Pittsburgh but Philly's where we're going to
Well I talked to my mom today, she seems like she's doing fine
Tell her I've been getting sick again, we both pretend we don't know why
She says 'one more drop of rain'...she swears we'll all be drowned alive
And she asked me how my father's been, we both pretend we don't know why
I got a friend upstate, he's got a place where I can get away from it all
Ah but I don't know if I can take it boys, I just can't stand myself alone
Well now 30 years of running's left me standing with my back to the cold
And it's left me most days wondering if I've ever really learned a thing at all
But I'm trying to move on, trying to move on
I'm trying to move on, trying to move on
Maybe I should go back, back to the night where it all began
Maybe I should trace my life back to the night where my folks first met
Maybe I could find the moment where my father broke my mother's heart in half
Oh I could go back to New York City, just learn to live with that baby...




But I'm trying to move on, I'm trying to move on baby
I'm trying to move on, I'm trying to move on oh

Overall Meaning

The song "Moving On" by Justin Townes Earle speaks about the struggles of his life, both past and present. The song begins with him waking up in a familiar place, pondering over what lies ahead. This is followed by him talking about his journey on I-80, and how he's driving through Ohio without stopping, but with a plan to stay overnight in Pittsburgh before heading to Philly. In between the driving, he talks about a conversation he had with his mother, in which they both pretend not to know why he's getting sick again. She also expresses her worries about the future, while casually asking about his father.


The song presents us with a sense of restlessness, as the singer talks about his need to escape and try to find some peace. He mentions a friend who has a place upstate where he can just get away from everything, emphasizing his need for solitude. He mentions how 30 years of running have left him standing with his back against the cold, wondering if he's ever really learned anything at all. The song concludes with the possible solutions he could try - going back to where it all began or just learning to live with everything. However, he knows that he's trying to move on, and that's what he's going to do.


Overall, this song speaks to a universal human experience - the need to move on and find a better place.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I woke up wondering where I sat just like I always do
Starting the day in uncertainty and confusion, the singer is used to feeling lost and unsure of his direction.


I-80 up ahead laid out like a lazy bitch on a Sunday afternoon
The open road stretches ahead, displaying no urgency or motion and inspiring frustration and annoyance in the singer.


Well we're 30 miles from Cleveland, ain't stopping, ain't even passing through
Despite being in close proximity to a major city, the singer has no interest in stopping, demonstrating a lack of connection or desire to explore new places.


Well at night we'll stop in Pittsburgh but Philly's where we're going to
Although Pittsburgh serves only as a temporary resting place, the artist is drawn to the final destination of Philadelphia, symbolizing a search for meaning and purpose.


Well I talked to my mom today, she seems like she's doing fine
The artist connects with his mother, but both engage in a superficial conversation that hides deeper, unresolved issues.


Tell her I've been getting sick again, we both pretend we don't know why
Avoiding confrontation and vulnerability, the singer and his mother dance around the true cause of his illness and the emotional turmoil that accompanies it.


She says 'one more drop of rain'...she swears we'll all be drowned alive
The mother expresses a fatalistic perspective on life and its challenges, feeding the singer's struggle to find purpose in the face of adversity.


And she asked me how my father's been, we both pretend we don't know why
The artist and his mother continue their pattern of avoidance and denial regarding the father's absence and its impact on their lives.


I got a friend upstate, he's got a place where I can get away from it all
The artist turns to a connection upstate for a temporary escape from his problems and the difficulty of being alone with his thoughts.


Ah but I don't know if I can take it boys, I just can't stand myself alone
Despite the option of a retreat, the artist expresses anxiety and unease at the prospect of being alone with his thoughts and emotions.


Well now 30 years of running's left me standing with my back to the cold
Decades of aimless movement have left the singer feeling exposed and vulnerable to the harsh realities of life, with no sense of direction or purpose to guide him.


And it's left me most days wondering if I've ever really learned a thing at all
The artist questions the value of his experiences and the lessons he's gained from a lifetime of aimless wandering and searching.


But I'm trying to move on, trying to move on
Despite the frustration and confusion, the singer is determined to push forward and find a way out of his predicament.


Maybe I should go back, back to the night where it all began
The singer considers the possibility of returning to the past and starting anew, in search of a fresh start and a sense of purpose.


Maybe I should trace my life back to the night where my folks first met
The singer imagines a hypothetical journey of self-discovery and reflection, tracing the roots of his existence back to the beginning to try and find meaning in the present.


Maybe I could find the moment where my father broke my mother's heart in half
The artist fixates on the source of his family troubles, searching for a moment of catharsis or understanding that might help him make sense of his current predicament.


Oh I could go back to New York City, just learn to live with that baby...
The artist muses on the possibility of returning to a familiar setting, perhaps in search of resolution or purpose.


But I'm trying to move on, I'm trying to move on baby
Through all these hypothetical scenarios and struggles with past traumas and family troubles, the singer remains focused on moving forward and breaking free of his aimless existence.


I'm trying to move on, I'm trying to move on oh
Repeating his determination to push forward and find purpose, the singer concludes the song with a sense of resolve and determination in the face of uncertainty and confusion.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

D.J. Demers

This performance is an all-time classic. Rest In Peace, Justin. You will be missed.

absolutelynonameslef

Every bit as good as his father's and every bit as tortured as his namesakes.

Brazen lil hussy

@absolutelynonameslef Fantastic observation and turn of phrase my friend. "Maybe I could find the moment that my father broke my mother's heart..in half and I love Steve's music. But to reach that level of honesty in a song is quite the achievement. RIP JTE. 🙏 I dunno if you've heard Jason Isbells "streetlights" but that does something similar to me. Two great artists..Isbell actually played lead guitar for JTE on 'Harlem River Blues" on letterman here on the YouTube. Great stuff.

absolutelynonameslef

@Brazen lil hussy huge Isbell fan and Streetlights is a classic. "Think I blocked just a park away" is one of my favorite lines ever. Jason and Justin are among the best I've ever heard.

Craig McRee

I can't believe he is gone. Such an amazing talent

sdfq

a tragedy.

Penny Street

So sad. Love his music. Should have let him know.

Jonathan Aldecoa

I love the dude

frarfarf

Heart is broken :(

Max Milian

The brightest lights always burn out too quickly. Tragic.

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