Slipstream
Mike Oldfield Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Are you drifting, is there nowhere to go
Life support is down and your systems low
Are you cruising on your secondary cells
Waiting for the bell (oh do you really think so)

Flat line you’re illusory mind
Dreams are for the bold and you’re not that kind
Disappointment has a house on that road
Best to stay at home (oh do you really think so)

You’re safe and warm inside
Your chances pass you by
The question fills your mind

Are you caught in a slipstream
Are you lost in the fog
Can you see through the windscreen
Are you sure it’s safe to follow somebody’s taillight
Are you already lost
When you get to the daylight
When you recognise the world you walked across

Are you listening with your head in the sand
Drown the words you don’t want to understand
‘Til the song stops, is it safe to come out
Nobody’s about (oh do you really think so)

Too late now there’s nowhere to go,
Life support is down and your systems low
And your fuel light said you’ll never get home
Now you’re all alone (oh do you really think so)

You’re scared to stay inside
Your chances pass you by
The question fills your mind

Are you caught in a slipstream
Are you lost in the fog
Can you see through the windscreen?
Are you sure it?s safe to follow somebody's taillight
Are you already lost when you get to the daylight
When you recognise the world you walked across

Penny for the dreams you thought you’d lost
Penny for the dreams you thought you’d see
Penny for the price you thought it cost
Penny for the one you thought you’d be
Pity for the times you kept it all
Pity for the wealth you thought you’d get
Pity for the day your empire falls
Pity for the day your life got caught

Are you caught in a slipstream
Are you lost in the fog
Can you see through the windscreen
Are you sure it’s safe to follow somebody’s taillight
Are you already lost
When you get to the daylight
When you recognise the world you walked across

Are you caught in a slipstream
Are you lost in the fog
Can you see through the windscreen
Are you sure it’s safe to follow somebody’s taillight
Are you already lost




When you get to the daylight
When you recognise the world you walked across

Overall Meaning

The song Slipstream by Mike Oldfield addresses the struggles of life and the obstacles that one faces along the way. The lyrics suggest feelings of uncertainty and confusion, using metaphors such as drifting, flat lines, and being lost in a fog to convey a sense of being directionless. The repeated questioning of whether the listener is caught in a slipstream or lost in a fog reinforces this feeling of uncertainty and confusion.


As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is urging the listener to take action and avoid becoming trapped in the slipstream or fog. The emphasis on being sure it's safe to follow someone else's taillight suggests the need to exercise caution and not blindly follow others. The last verse provides a list of things that the listener can reflect on, such as the dreams they thought they lost and the price they thought it would cost to achieve them. This list suggests that the listener should not give up on their dreams and should not be afraid to take risks.


In summary, Slipstream is a song that addresses the uncertainties of life and encourages listeners to take control of their own destinies and not be afraid to go after their dreams.


Line by Line Meaning

Are you drifting, is there nowhere to go
Are you aimlessly wandering with no purpose or direction?


Life support is down and your systems low
You're struggling to cope with the challenges you're facing.


Are you cruising on your secondary cells
Are you relying on a secondary, less effective, approach to something?


Waiting for the bell (oh do you really think so)
Are you mindlessly waiting for something to happen, ignoring the reality of your situation?


Flat line you’re illusory mind
Your dreams and desires are unrealistic and unachievable.


Dreams are for the bold and you’re not that kind
Your lack of courage prevents you from fulfilling your dreams.


Disappointment has a house on that road
If you proceed down this path, disappointment is inevitable.


Best to stay at home (oh do you really think so)
It's safer to stay in your comfort zone, although you may not progress.


You’re safe and warm inside
You're comfortable and secure in your current state.


Your chances pass you by
You're missing opportunities to grow and succeed.


The question fills your mind
You're consumed by a sense of uncertainty and doubt.


Are you caught in a slipstream
Are you being pulled along by external forces and not in control?


Are you lost in the fog
Are you unsure of your surroundings with no clear way forward?


Can you see through the windscreen
Do you have a clear view of the path ahead?


Are you sure it’s safe to follow somebody’s taillight
Do you trust the guidance and influence of others?


Are you already lost
Have you already gone too far down the wrong path?


When you get to the daylight
When you finally see things clearly and objectively.


When you recognise the world you walked across
When you acknowledge the mistakes you made and how they affected you.


Penny for the dreams you thought you’d lost
What would it cost to regain the hopes you thought were gone?


Penny for the dreams you thought you’d see
What would you pay to achieve the aspirations that once inspired you?


Penny for the price you thought it cost
What did you think it would take for you to achieve your goals, and was it worth it?


Penny for the one you thought you’d be
What would it cost to become the person you always imagined you'd be?


Pity for the times you kept it all
Regret for the times you held back instead of going all in.


Pity for the wealth you thought you’d get
Regret for the expected wealth or abundance that never materialized.


Pity for the day your empire falls
Regret for the day your world falls apart and your success comes crashing down.


Pity for the day your life got caught
Regret for the day you became trapped in a situation you couldn't control.


Are you listening with your head in the sand
Are you willfully ignoring the reality of your situation?


Drown the words you don’t want to understand
You're suppressing the truth that you don't want to accept.


‘Til the song stops, is it safe to come out
You're waiting for a sign that it's safe to face the reality of your situation.


Nobody’s about (oh do you really think so)
You're trying to convince yourself that you're alone and that no one can help you.


Too late now there’s nowhere to go
You've missed your opportunity to make a change and are now stuck.


And your fuel light said you’ll never get home
You've reached a point of no return and don't have enough resources to continue.


Now you’re all alone (oh do you really think so)
You feel isolated and abandoned, but are trying to deny it.


You’re scared to stay inside
You're uncomfortable staying in your current situation.


Your chances pass you by
You're missing opportunities to change things for the better.


The question fills your mind
You're consumed by a sense of uncertainty and doubt.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management
Written by: KARL GROOM, RICHARD WEST

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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