Wandering Spirit
Mick Jagger Lyrics


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When all the twelve Apostles try to ring me on the phone
Take a message but I won't return their call
For I have no eyes to see him and I thought I lost my way
And I know I've lost the keys to your door

And I climbed the highest mountain and I looked down on the sea
And I saw a ship a-sail to the shore
I took a passage to the East and I journeyed to the West
I made love from Battambang to Baltimore

I said, oh, am I running in a race
I said, oh, am I getting anyplace
I said, oh, can I make it

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, yes I am a restless soul
I'm a wandering spirit, there's no place that I can call my own

I was a glutton at the banquet and I spilt the finest wine
Trod the pyramids and ruins of Angkor
I kissed the Mona Lisa and I breakfasted with kings
And I touched the nerves of nature in the raw

I said, oh, am I running in a race
I said, oh, take that smile right off your face
I said, oh, I can't make it

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, no escape, no parole
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, there's no place that
I can call my home

I said, oh, am I running in a race
I said, oh, take that smile right off your face
I said, oh, I can't make it

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, looking for a place to go

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit




I'm a wandering spirit, no escape, no parole
I'm a wandering spirit, I'm a lost and lonely soul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mick Jagger's song Wandering Spirit present a picture of a restless soul who has lost his way, yet is constantly searching for something that he cannot find. In the first verse, Jagger sets the stage by stating that even if the twelve apostles try to call him, he won't answer, suggesting that he does not want to be found or tethered to any kind of calling or destiny. He claims that he has lost the keys to someone's door, perhaps a lover or a friend, but it's not clear what the significance of this is. Jagger then sings about having climbed the highest mountain and journeyed to the West, suggesting a search for something beyond himself. Despite all of this, Jagger indicates that he is still unsure of whether he is running a race, making any progress, or finding a home.


The chorus, which repeats several times, reinforces the notion that Jagger is a wandering spirit without a home, a restless soul without a sense of belonging. He is searching for something that can't be found, never truly content or at peace. In the second verse, Jagger describes himself as a glutton who has spilt the finest wine, a person who has gone to great lengths to seek out the mysteries of the world. He has experienced much, from the pyramids and ruins of Angkor to breakfasting with kings, but he still can't seem to find what he's looking for. The final lines of the song express Jagger's desperation, indicating that he is a lost and lonely soul.


Line by Line Meaning

When all the twelve Apostles try to ring me on the phone
Even if everyone tries to contact me, I won't respond.


Take a message but I won't return their call
I'm too lost and disconnected to communicate with anyone.


For I have no eyes to see him and I thought I lost my way
I feel aimless, spiritually empty, and disconnected from the divine.


And I know I've lost the keys to your door
I've lost my way into the life I wanted and the person I wanted to be with.


And I climbed the highest mountain and I looked down on the sea
I've searched for answers and clarity but haven't found any.


And I saw a ship a-sail to the shore
I've witnessed the passage of time and the arrival of new things.


I took a passage to the East and I journeyed to the West
I've traveled to different places in search of purpose and meaning.


I made love from Battambang to Baltimore
I've had many romantic and sexual experiences throughout my travels.


I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a restless, directionless person.


Yes I am a restless soul
I feel like I don't belong anywhere and constantly desire change.


There's no place that I can call my own
I feel like I don't have a true home or a sense of belonging.


I was a glutton at the banquet and I spilt the finest wine
I've been careless and reckless in my experiences and actions.


Trod the pyramids and ruins of Angkor
I've indulged in various cultural experiences and adventures.


I kissed the Mona Lisa and I breakfasted with kings
I've had many exciting and glamorous experiences throughout my travels.


And I touched the nerves of nature in the raw
I've experienced the natural world in all its beauty and harshness.


No escape, no parole
I feel trapped in my aimlessness and inability to truly connect with anything or anyone.


Looking for a place to go
I'm searching for a sense of direction and purpose in my life.


I'm a lost and lonely soul
Despite all my experiences, I feel unfulfilled and alone.




Lyrics © Rocking Gorillas Music Ltda, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Jimmy Ripp, Michael Jagger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@arjhendrix

"Wandering Spirit"

When all the twelve Apostles try to ring me on the phone
Take a message but I won't return their call
For I have no eyes to see him and I thought I lost my way
And I know I've lost the keys to your door

And I climbed the highest mountain and I looked down on the sea
And I saw a ship a-sail to the shore
I took a passage to the East and I journeyed to the West
I made love from Battambang to Baltimore

I said, oh, am I running in a race
I said, oh, am I getting anyplace
I said, oh, can I make it

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, yes I am a restless soul
I'm a wandering spirit, there's no place that I can call my own

I was a glutton at the banquet and I spilt the finest wine
Trod the pyramids and ruins of Angkor
I kissed the Mona Lisa and I breakfasted with kings
And I touched the nerves of nature in the raw

I said, oh, am I running in a race
I said, oh, take that smile right off your face
I said, oh, I can't make it

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, no escape, no parole
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, there's no place that
I can call my home

I said, oh, am I running in a race
I said, oh, take that smile right off your face
I said, oh, I can't make it

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, looking for a place to go

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, no escape, no parole
I'm a wandering spirit, I'm a lost and lonely soul
====================================



All comments from YouTube:

@monicabauman1580

Young Jagger! Refreshing! Great instrumental performance. Mick is just as great a performer now as ever. Still young inside and out!

@mark1952able

Monica............Mic is the epitome of Forever Young!

@IrisGalaxis

Young inside? Maybe. Outside? ...

@elijahskyeagle5651

oh,lord it's Mick Jagger! unmatchable! I'm a singer songwriter and session musician with Warner Brothers for Warner Bros for 32 years and a stones fan always i finally had the distinct pleasure of playing on his sessions during his solo career,he surpassed all my expectations as an artist and a person,he treated me with respect and professional manner always,he was so warm and humble and approachable.Yes he's got a what I call a healthy ego so positive never negative,and dosent let his fame interfere with a true view of himself,and this is the key to his strength and continued success and such a prolific songwriter,50+ years and the Jagger/Richards well never runs dry.unbeliveable! when they did their work in 2005 the engineers talked About how deep these guys were and keef always touching,with the tribute to his wife on"This place is empty without you" enjoy while you can they'll never be another Mick Jagger and Kieth Richards the greatest band on planet earth,no one can tie there shoe laces or even come close.Not to forget Ronnie's contribution like hand and glove the perfect match and Ronnie and keef just weave in and out with each other it's a musical delight and Charlie?The icing on the delicious cake!!!

@ellenpalmer2358

What a magnificent tribute you have contributed to this web site.

@danetteshepard897

This is infinitely lovely.

@jillvalentine5501

Gohlis, germany, we don't f***up anyone, shut up pu**y . Come oder get your slap and be a men bi**h

@user-gl4xm1by9v

Словами разве можно передать , лучший сольник Мика !

@doribys

Convocó a los mejores músicos

@arjhendrix

"Wandering Spirit"

When all the twelve Apostles try to ring me on the phone
Take a message but I won't return their call
For I have no eyes to see him and I thought I lost my way
And I know I've lost the keys to your door

And I climbed the highest mountain and I looked down on the sea
And I saw a ship a-sail to the shore
I took a passage to the East and I journeyed to the West
I made love from Battambang to Baltimore

I said, oh, am I running in a race
I said, oh, am I getting anyplace
I said, oh, can I make it

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, yes I am a restless soul
I'm a wandering spirit, there's no place that I can call my own

I was a glutton at the banquet and I spilt the finest wine
Trod the pyramids and ruins of Angkor
I kissed the Mona Lisa and I breakfasted with kings
And I touched the nerves of nature in the raw

I said, oh, am I running in a race
I said, oh, take that smile right off your face
I said, oh, I can't make it

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, no escape, no parole
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, there's no place that
I can call my home

I said, oh, am I running in a race
I said, oh, take that smile right off your face
I said, oh, I can't make it

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, looking for a place to go

I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit
I'm a wandering spirit, no escape, no parole
I'm a wandering spirit, I'm a lost and lonely soul
====================================

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