Hailing from the isle of O’ahu, Makana—whose name means “a gift given freely”—began singing when he was 7 years old, took up ‘ukulele at 9 and began learning the ancient art of slack key at 11. By 14, he was already performing professionally, and before long playing four nights a week. His reputation as the youngest master of slack key spread like molten volcanic lava throughout the islands. With each successive year, more and more music fans—both on and outside of the islands—are experiencing the Makana phenomenon. In addition to his own headlining tours, Makana has opened shows for the likes of Sting, Santana, Elvis Costello, Paul Rodgers, Chris Isaak, No Doubt, Jason Mraz, and Jack Johnson, and in 2008 he won 2nd runner-up in Guitar Player Magazine’s National "Guitar Superstar" Competition.
Life's A Lonely Road
Makana Lyrics
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Cause I've got an ear
To listen to a pretty girl who's crying
I see you shedding tears
Of heartache for years
Trying to hide a lonely soul who's dying
The river wants to live
The levee's gonna give
It's alright if you want to cry
Go on and say goodbye
To all that sorrow coming through your eyes
And if I join you with a tear
It's just because I'm near
To someone else who's finally realized
Life's a lonely road
Once I asked a friend why my mother put an end
To twenty years at my father's side
She said she had a dream that she never reached it seems
And expectations cause love to die
Deep inside I knew that her words rang true
And somehow I got angry inside
It brought a picture to my mind
How could I forget the time?
A young boy saw his daddy cry
But I don't mean to burden you
I know what you're going through
My heart's just as heavy inside
It's alright if you want to cry
Go on and say goodbye
To all that sorrow coming through your eyes
And if I join you with a tear
It's just because I'm near
To someone else who's finally realized
Life's a lonely road
And to those of you who come to me
To get your dose of sympathy
You might be better off getting' stoned
Cause I can ramble on for days
About all the different ways
One can end up walking all alone
But if your eyes and pretty smile
Would like to stay and chat a while
I'll give you my full attention
So just tell me where it hurts
Let your guard down, I won't flirt
You vulnerable little girl
It's alright if you want to cry
Go on and say goodbye
To all that sorrow coming through your eyes
And if I join you with a tear
It's just because I'm near
To someone else who's finally realized
Life's a lonely ride
Damn it's been so long
Since I've had someone to hold
I'm starting to get used to the cold
The song "Life's A Lonely Road" by Makana explores themes of loneliness, vulnerability, and the need for emotional connection. The lyrics convey a sense of compassion and understanding towards someone who is going through hardships and shedding tears. The singer offers a listening ear, acknowledging the pain and loneliness the person has been experiencing for years. The metaphor of a river wanting to live but being held back by a levee represents the pent-up emotions that can no longer be contained.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of expressing emotions and letting go of sorrow. It encourages the person to cry, bid farewell to the pain reflected in their eyes, and release the burden they have been carrying. The singer connects their own empathetic response (joining with a tear) to their proximity to someone who has finally realized the lonely nature of life.
The second verse delves into the singer's personal experience, asking a friend about their mother's decision to end a long marriage. The friend explains that unfulfilled dreams and expectations can lead to the deterioration of love. The singer witnesses the impact of this on their father, seeing him express vulnerability and cry. This memory resurfaces their own buried feelings, causing them to empathize deeply with the person they are speaking to. They acknowledge that their heart is heavy too, but they don't intend to burden the listener with their own emotions.
The third verse takes a slightly different approach, addressing those who seek sympathy from the singer. The singer admits that they can speak at length about the various ways one can end up lonely, but suggests that the listener might find solace through other means, such as using substances to numb the pain. However, if the listener genuinely desires a conversation and open up about their struggles, the singer is willing to give them their undivided attention and support.
In the final lines of the song, the singer reflects on their own journey and the longing for companionship. They admit that it has been a long time since they had someone to hold, and they have become accustomed to the coldness of loneliness. This admission further emphasizes the sense of personal connection they felt throughout the song and their understanding of the isolation and longing experienced by others.
Overall, "Life's A Lonely Road" is a poignant exploration of loneliness, empathy, and the universal human need for emotional connection. The lyrics convey a sense of compassion and understanding towards the struggles of others while sharing personal experiences and vulnerabilities. The song encourages the expression of emotions and highlights the importance of true human connection in navigating the lonely road of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on over here
Please come closer, I am here and willing to listen
Cause I've got an ear
Because I am ready to lend a listening ear
To listen to a pretty girl who's crying
I am here to hear the pain of a beautiful person who is shedding tears
I see you shedding tears
I notice your continuous display of sadness
Of heartache for years
For enduring heartbreak throughout a long period of time
Trying to hide a lonely soul who's dying
Attempting to conceal a dying soul filled with loneliness
The river wants to live
The river seeks to flow freely and express life
The levee's gonna give
The barrier cannot hold back the river much longer
And you can't hold it back, but you've been trying
Despite your efforts, you cannot suppress your emotions any longer
It's alright if you want to cry
It is perfectly acceptable if you feel the need to shed tears
Go on and say goodbye
Let go of the pain and bid farewell to it
To all that sorrow coming through your eyes
Release the sorrow that is visible in your eyes
And if I join you with a tear
If I shed a tear alongside you
It's just because I'm near
It is due to my proximity and understanding
To someone else who's finally realized
To another person who has come to the realization
Life's a lonely road
That life can often be a solitary journey
Once I asked a friend why my mother put an end
I inquired a friend about why my mother decided to end
To twenty years at my father's side
Her presence after being together with my father for twenty years
She said she had a dream that she never reached it seems
She explained that she had a dream she never achieved
And expectations cause love to die
And the expectations placed on love can lead to its demise
Deep inside I knew that her words rang true
Deep down, I recognized the truth in her words
And somehow I got angry inside
This realization sparked anger within me
It brought a picture to my mind
It painted a vivid image in my thoughts
How could I forget the time?
How could I have overlooked this significant moment?
A young boy saw his daddy cry
A child witnessed his father shedding tears
But I don't mean to burden you
But I do not intend to weigh you down
I know what you're going through
I understand the pain you are experiencing
My heart's just as heavy inside
My own heart is weighed down by heaviness
And to those of you who come to me
To those who seek my support
To get your dose of sympathy
To receive the compassionate understanding you need
You might be better off getting' stoned
Perhaps it would be more beneficial for you to seek solace in intoxication
Cause I can ramble on for days
Because I can talk endlessly for days
About all the different ways
Regarding all the various ways
One can end up walking all alone
That a person can find themselves walking the path of loneliness
But if your eyes and pretty smile
However, if your eyes and lovely smile
Would like to stay and chat a while
Desire to remain and have a conversation for a little longer
I'll give you my full attention
I will devote my complete focus to you
So just tell me where it hurts
Simply indicate where you are in pain
Let your guard down, I won't flirt
Lower your defenses, I will not flirt with you
You vulnerable little girl
You, a fragile and exposed young woman
Damn it's been so long
Wow, it has been an extended period of time
Since I've had someone to hold
Since I last held someone in my arms
I'm starting to get used to the cold
I am gradually becoming accustomed to the feeling of emptiness and isolation
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: MATT SWALINKAVICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind