Manhattan Island Serenade
Leon Russell Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sitting on a highway in a broken van
Thinking of you again
Guess I'll have to hitch hike to the station
With every step I will see your face
Like a mirror looking back at me
Saing you're the only one
Making me feel I could survive
Am so glad to be alive
No where to run and not a guitar to play
Messed up inside and it's been rainging all day
Since you ran away
Manhattan ISland Serenade
Sitting on a highway in a broken van
Thinking of you again
Guess I'll have to hitch hike down the highway
With every step i'll see your face
Like a mirror looking back at me
Saying you're the only one
Making me feel I could survive
Am so glad to be alive
Nowhere to run and not a guitar to play
MEssed up inside and it's been raining all day
Since you went away
Manhattan Island Serenade




Since you went away
Manhattan Island Serenade

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Leon Russell's song Manhattan Island Serenade are filled with longing and heartbreak. The singer is stuck on a highway in a broken van, thinking about the person they love. They know they have to leave and can't stay where they are, but they don't have the means to leave. Despite the difficult circumstances, they can't help but think of this person and how much they mean to them. Every step they take, they see their face in their mind, and it's like a mirror looking back at them, telling them that this person is the only thing that makes them feel like they could survive. They're glad to be alive, but without this person, they feel like they're messed up inside. The rain is pouring down on them, and they're all alone, wishing they could be with the one they love.


The theme of unrequited love is prominent in Manhattan Island Serenade. The singer is clearly still in love with this person, but they've gone away, leaving them alone and hurting. They're stuck in a broken van, with nowhere to go and nothing to do but think about this person. Despite their situation, they're still grateful to be alive, and they are just trying to survive without the one they love. The lyrics are filled with sadness, but also a sense of hope. The singer knows that they have to keep going, even without this person, but they are still holding onto the hope that someday they might be reunited.


Line by Line Meaning

Sitting on a highway in a broken van
I am stranded on a deserted highway in a dysfunctional van.


Thinking of you again
My mind is preoccupied with thoughts of you once more.


Guess I'll have to hitch hike to the station
It looks like I have to hitchhike to the nearest station since my van cannot take me there.


With every step I will see your face
Your image will appear before my eyes with each step I take towards the station.


Like a mirror looking back at me
Your reflection is like a mirror that follows me wherever I go.


Saying you're the only one
The reflection of your visage reminds me that there is no one like you in my life.


Making me feel I could survive
Your existence makes me feel like I can endure any hardship or obstacle.


Am so glad to be alive
I am grateful for my life despite my current circumstances.


No where to run and not a guitar to play
I have nowhere to turn to and nothing to distract me, such as a musical instrument to play.


Messed up inside and it's been rainging all day
I am emotionally confused and it has been raining continuously throughout the day.


Since you ran away
Ever since you left, my life has been a mess.


Manhattan ISland Serenade
This song is a tribute to the city of Manhattan, where I initially felt strong emotions for you.


Since you went away
This song continues to be a reminder of the pain I feel after your departure.




Writer(s): Leon Russell

Contributed by Max R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Mark Hayes


on Roll Away The Stone

I think the meaning is very different to that posted above.
The author is Jesus.
The strange time is the period of his crucifixion and death.
She was my women (Mary Magdalene) and he was my friend (his erstwhile friend Judas).
But he was wrong about both.
He's talking to God who is putting him through this strange time and despite that he still loves God.
"Roll away the stone". He's in the cave. He's begging God to open the cave, protecting him and resurrect him for the good of those who'll be around in 2000 years ie us.
He thought God would have filled him in as to when the end of times would occur but he hasn't ("I guess you thought I knew")
He then accuses God of just trying to avoid him (Jesus) but still asks for protect and resurrection.

Mark Hayes


on Roll Away The Stone

she

The lyric is "She was my woman and HE was my friend". That is, he's talking about two different people.

More Versions