Went To Woodstock
Lloyd Cole Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Cole

I went to Woodstock
I've been to Big Sur,too
And neither one held much for
I tried The Tropics
Couldn't get into Celine
Not my scene
Well, I was hoping you might know
Where did my angel go?
I held a mirror to my love stained life
I had no need of other means
I went for a song
But then I was young and strong
Every night long
And I was hoping you might know
Where did my angel go?
It was not just my imagine
I was unduly favoured
There is no free association
I've got to bring home the bacon
How can love be fair
When it's always out of nowhere?
Smile if you want to
Yes, but take my advice
And try to avoid the present tense
And don't got to Woodstock
Not if you feel alright
You know, young and uptight




Well, I was hoping you might know
Where did my angel go?

Overall Meaning

In this song, Lloyd Cole reminisces about his travels to different places including Woodstock, Big Sur, and The Tropics. While he had hoped to find something meaningful in these places, he ultimately didn't find what he was looking for. He reflects on his past and the question of where his angel (his source of happiness) has gone, as he struggles to find meaning in his present life.


The first verse of the song sees Cole listing the places he's been to, Woodstock and Big Sur, in particular. While these were significant places in the 60s and 70s counterculture movement, Cole indicates that they didn't hold much for him personally. He then moves onto The Tropics, where he couldn't get into Celine, indicating that he wasn't interested in the commercial aspects of the place. In the second verse, Cole reflects on his past and the glory days of his youth. He went to Woodstock for a song, which was significant during his younger years when he was "young and strong" and "every night long," but the memories and experiences he had there don't seem to bring him the same satisfaction or fulfillment now.


He questions why love always seems to be "out of nowhere" and reflects on how he may be unduly favored in life, but he still has to bring home the bacon. In his final exhortation to "smile if you want to," he advises the listener to avoid living in the present tense and not to go to Woodstock, especially if they're young and uptight. Finally, he asks the question again in the last line, "Where did my angel go?" implying that he's still struggling to find meaning, even after all his travels and experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

I went to Woodstock
I travelled to Woodstock, New York to attend the festival.


I've been to Big Sur, too
I also visited Big Sur, California.


And neither one held much for
However, I did not find either of these places very fulfilling.


I tried The Tropics
I attempted to enjoy The Tropics, a nightclub in some location.


Couldn't get into Celine
I did not like Celine, another nightclub I visited.


Not my scene
This type of atmosphere was not something I enjoyed.


Well, I was hoping you might know
I am now asking for your help.


Where did my angel go?
I am searching for my love interest and seeking assistance in finding them.


I held a mirror to my love stained life
I took a close look at my romantic history.


I had no need of other means
I did not require any additional substances, such as drugs or alcohol, to cope with this introspection.


I went for a song
Initially, I only attended Woodstock to hear the music.


But then I was young and strong
However, I was also young and naive at the time.


Every night long
I enjoyed the festivities and stayed up all night each night of the festival.


It was not just my imagine
These experiences were real, not just products of my imagination.


I was unduly favoured
I believe that I received unwarranted and disproportionate attention in these situations.


There is no free association
I do not believe that people can truly associate freely without consequences or judgments.


I've got to bring home the bacon
I now have the responsibility of providing for myself and potentially a family.


How can love be fair
I question the fairness of love and whether it is distributed evenly.


When it's always out of nowhere?
It often feels as though love comes unexpectedly and without warning.


Smile if you want to
You may smile if you desire.


Yes, but take my advice
However, I do have some advice for you.


And try to avoid the present tense
My suggestion is to not dwell too much on the present and instead focus on the future.


And don't go to Woodstock
I do not recommend attending Woodstock or similar events.


Not if you feel alright
Especially if you are content with your current situation.


You know, young and uptight
It is common for younger individuals to feel tense or anxious.


Well, I was hoping you might know
Once again, I am seeking your guidance.


Where did my angel go?
I am still searching for my missing love interest.




Contributed by Nicholas I. 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

More Versions