Back To The Island
Leon Russell Lyrics


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Now the day is gone and I sit alone and think of you, girl
What can I do without you in my life?
I guess that our guessing game just had to end that way
The hardest one to lose of all the games we played

But the time is past for living in a dream world
Lying to myself can't make that scene
Of wondering if you love me or just making a fool of me
Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island

And watch the sun go down (sit and watch the sun go down)
Hear the sea roll in (listen to the sea roll in)
But I'll be thinking of you (yes, and I'll be thinking of you)
And how it might have been (thinking how it might have been)
Hear the night birds cry (listen to the night birds cry)
Watch the sunset die (sit and watch the sunset die)
Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island

Well all the fun has died, It's raining in my heart
I know down in my soul I'm really gonna miss you




But it had to end this way with all the games we played
Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island

Overall Meaning

In Leon Russell's song, Back To The Island, he expresses his emotions regarding a past relationship that has ended. The lyrics convey a deep sense of loss and regret in having to let go of someone he loves. The song reflects on the past and the times they had together, while also admitting to the harsh reality that the relationship was not meant to be. The lyrics, "But the time is past for living in a dream world, Lying to myself can't make that scene" signify the realization that it is time to let go of the fantasy and see things for what they truly are.


Russell's decision to "go back to the island" is symbolic of a place of retreat and relaxation where he can find solace and peace. He describes sitting on the beach and watching the sun go down and listening to the sea roll in, all while thinking of his lost love. He acknowledges that he will miss her but ultimately, he had to make the decision to move on from the relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Now the day is gone and I sit alone and think of you, girl
As the day ended, I'm left alone with my thoughts of you, girl


What can I do without you in my life?
Having you in my life meant everything to me, and now I don't know what to do without you


I guess that our guessing game just had to end that way
Our game of uncertainty and guessing had to end the way it did


The hardest one to lose of all the games we played
Of all the games we played, losing you was the hardest one to accept


But the time is past for living in a dream world
It's time to stop living in a fantasy world


Lying to myself can't make that scene
Pretending everything is okay won't change the reality


Of wondering if you love me or just making a fool of me
I can't keep wondering whether you really loved me or just played games with me


Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island
I hope you realize that I had to go back to the place where I found peace and solace


And watch the sun go down (sit and watch the sun go down)
I'll be watching the beautiful sunset


Hear the sea roll in (listen to the sea roll in)
Listening to the sound of the sea rolling in gives me comfort


But I'll be thinking of you (yes, and I'll be thinking of you)
Even though I'm in a peaceful place, my thoughts will still be with you


And how it might have been (thinking how it might have been)
I'll be thinking about how things could have been different if we were still together


Hear the night birds cry (listen to the night birds cry)
The sound of the night birds crying is a reminder of the beauty in nature


Watch the sunset die (sit and watch the sunset die)
Watching the sunset fade away reminds me of how things can change and come to an end


Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island
I hope you can accept that I had to return to the place where I could find peace and solace


Well all the fun has died, It's raining in my heart
All the joy and happiness has vanished, leaving me feeling sad and empty inside


I know down in my soul I'm really gonna miss you
I know that deep down, I'll miss you terribly


But it had to end this way with all the games we played
The way things ended was inevitable given all the games we played in our relationship


Well I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island
I hope you can understand and accept my need to return to the place where I can find peace and solace




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: LEON RUSSELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Eric Lopez

I can't hold back a single tear when this song begins. Then the choir kicks open the floodgates. This explains the power of music. If only the whole world would just listen. Then love just might save us from ourselves.

Bill Hobbie

With you on this!

leatherzen

Same

Casey Hill

I get you ,lost my brother years ago, this was his favorite song ,im listening 2it now

Marissa Branch

I'm Oklahoma, born and raised, I truly feel Leon is the greatest talent my state has the privilege to call a native son 😊

Penny Rankin

❤ perfectly STATED

2 More Replies...

Terrence Cafferty

One of the greatest, most moving songs ever recorded, and here accompanied by great art!  Thanks for a beautiful total presentation.  I listen to and watch this video again and again.

mike landry

I love this song. It takes me away to another place and time. I love you Leon. Rest In Peace brother.

Barry Andreev

Exactly, I feel that I should be Om an Island lamenting a forlorn love.

Damian Delaney

I first started listening to Leon Russell at sea, off the coast of Vietnam, 1969 - 1973. He helped us get through what we had to do.

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