The band was… Read Full Bio ↴Max Webster was a Canadian rock band of the late 1970s.
The band was formed in 1973 in Sarnia, Ontario and consisted of guitarist and vocalist Kim Mitchell, keyboardist Terry Watkinson, bassist Mike Tilka and drummer Paul Kersey. Mitchell, joined by Pye Dubois [aka Paul Woods], would write the majority of their material with Mitchell writing the music and Dubois writing lyrics.
Kersey left the band after their self-titled debut album, to be replaced by Gary McCracken. After recording and touring for their second album, High Class in Borrowed Shoes, Tilka would follow suit and leave the band, being replaced by Dave Myles. Recording for their third album, Mutiny Up My Sleeve, began with this line-up which would last through to their fourth album, A Million Vacations. Prior to Universal Juveniles Watkinson and Myles left, to be replaced by various musicians to record the last album and then tour for a little while longer before Kim Mitchell decided to end it in 1981 for a solo career.
The band was successful in Canada, with hits such as "A Million Vacations," "Let Go The Line" and "Paradise Skies", although they never made it big outside of Canada. "Paradise Skies" was a minor UK hit, reaching number 43 on the singles chart there. In addition, they appeared on Top of the Pops in 1979 playing to a pre-recorded track which was recorded at Abbey Road studios. Kim Mitchell's subsequent solo career, however, reached a much broader audience and he achieved popularity beyond Canada during the 80's.
On the road
Max Webster Lyrics
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The mind is not clocked, the feet are sore
The hands and eyes
Oh, the hands and eyes are quick
to stop the world.
On the road, confirms something about yourself
Confirms something about your mold
Freedom some say is when you get back home.
Fights and rights, embassies and fantasies
One street towns with stop lights
One stop streets with no towns
I don't need the patter
I don't need assistance to review the show.
On the road, the heart is slow
The mind is not clocked, the feet are sore
The hands and eyes
Oh, the hands and eyes are quick
to stop the world.
I'd like to keep my pearly whites
I don't want a shirt to keep a fit
I want a good steak once in a while
A checkered cab to go once in style
Freedom some say is when you get back home.
Howls of laughter, sights and sounds
Movies and groupies
One day lover, next day down
I'd like to keep my pearly whites
and have a little stride in life.
I'd be sometimes late
I'd be sometimes early
I'd be sometimes late, sometimes early
And surely once in a while
Oh, and surely once in a while
I'd like to be alone.
One day aggressive, one day shy
One day permissive, one day sly.
On the road confirms something about myself
Confirms something about my storm
Some say it needs freedom
Freedom some say is after the storm.
The song "On The Road" by Max Webster is a reflective and introspective tribute to the life and experiences of a traveling musician. The song describes the physical and emotional toll that constant travel can take on a person, and how it can also serve as a way to confirm and discover one's identity. The lyrics describe how being on the road slows down the heart and frees the mind, yet can also be tiring and painful for the feet. The hands and eyes are quick and alert to the world around them, but can also become jaded and weary from constant stimulation. The song explores the idea that being on the road confirms something about oneself, whether it be a sense of freedom or a sense of rootedness in one's place of origin. The lyrics also touch on the paradoxical nature of being a traveler, where one can feel both aggressive and shy, permissive and sly.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "On the road, the heart is slow" which can be interpreted in a few different ways. It could be seen as a reflection of the physical fatigue that comes with constant travel, or it could be taken as a metaphor for how being away from familiar surroundings can be a way to slow down and gain perspective on life. The line "I don't need assistance to review the show" suggests a weariness with the constant stimulation of touring life, and a desire for some peace and quiet to reflect on what has been experienced. The song's concluding image of the storm suggests that perhaps the true nature of freedom is not in always being on the move, but in weathering the storms of life and continuing on.
Line by Line Meaning
On the road, the heart is slow
Traveling slows down your emotions
The mind is not clocked, the feet are sore
Traveling frees your mind, but tires out your legs
The hands and eyes
Your senses
Oh, the hands and eyes are quick
to stop the world.
Your senses can capture and marvel at the beauty around you
On the road, confirms something about yourself
Traveling helps you discover who you truly are
Confirms something about your mold
Traveling uncovers your true nature and character
Some say it's freedom
Some people believe that traveling is synonymous with freedom
Freedom some say is when you get back home.
Others believe that true freedom lies in being back home
Fights and rights, embassies and fantasies
Traveling can be filled with challenges, disputes, and illusions
One street towns with stop lights
Small and simple towns
One stop streets with no towns
Lonely and desolate roads
I don't need the patter
I don't need anyone to tell me what to do or say
I don't need assistance to review the show.
I can experience and make sense of everything around me without help
I'd like to keep my pearly whites
I want to preserve my teeth and smile
I don't want a shirt to keep a fit
I don't want to exercise just to look good
I want a good steak once in a while
I want to indulge in good food every now and then
A checkered cab to go once in style
I want to travel and arrive in style
Howls of laughter, sights and sounds
Traveling is filled with joy, wonder, and noise
Movies and groupies
Entertainment and admirers
One day lover, next day down
You can fall in love and then lose it quickly while traveling
and have a little stride in life.
I want to have a little bit of confidence and power
I'd be sometimes late
I might not always be punctual
I'd be sometimes early
I might sometimes be ahead of time
I'd be sometimes late, sometimes early
I might be inconsistent with my timing
And surely once in a while
And surely once in a while, I want to be alone
Oh, and surely once in a while
Oh, and surely once in a while, I want to be alone
One day aggressive, one day shy
Traveling can affect your mood and behavior
One day permissive, one day sly.
You can switch from being open-minded to being deceitful
On the road confirms something about myself
Traveling helps me learn more about myself
Confirms something about my storm
Traveling helps me understand my challenges and struggles
Some say it needs freedom
Some people believe that freedom is the solution to my problems
Freedom some say is after the storm.
Others believe that freedom comes after overcoming your struggles
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lesliemay6699
Also reminds me of doing hot knives with good black hash with Steve whetmore,Sue rich ,Paul turrienne,Danielle McCain and my twin Laura,I memorised all the words to this song,it was so innocent back then,sure drugs were involved but not hard stuff.wish you could go back in time.And last but not least my step brother Rob aka robbo never gave me this album back.Rest in peace Robbo
@kenshiro69
Max Webster/Kim Mitchell will always be the go to music for spending a summers long weekend at the cottage...
...with some Rush and Triumph also. 🤘😁
@santyrush
rush, max webster and saga----are my 3 fav bands forever times. greetings from spain.
@kevinCarnahan-of8uk
An ICONIC band that will not be forgotten. ICONIC: A transformation into greatness reaching beyond success
@ezcast4003
Fantastic!!
@snowbalandbuddy
It's all GOLD I tell you, GOLD!!! Remember back in the day your friends saying to you " Oh yea, Max Webster, I LOVE that guy!!"
@herebutileft
Oh yea ! Max Webster, I love that guy !
@jonnyjibjob6519
He's great!
@HiVizCamo
This is a great song! They had incredible range, this album is practically a song writing clinic, never mind just technical facility.
@fasteddie777666
this is classic pye dubois....this is classic kim mitchell...that equals the most classic ''MAX WEBSTER'' song and most endearing....gotta be proud of this song....wonder why they never played it much.....