The group was formed in late 1966 in San Francisco. Frontman and rhythm guitarist Alexander "Skip" Spence (the original drummer for the Jefferson Airplane), lead guitarist Jerry Miller and drummer Don Stevenson (both formerly of the Frantics), rhythm guitarist (and son of actress Loretta Young) Peter Lewis (of the Cornells), and bassist Bob Mosley all wrote songs for their debut album Moby Grape (1967). In a marketing stunt, Columbia Records immediately released five singles at once, and the band was perceived as being over-hyped. Nonetheless, the record was critically acclaimed, and fairly successful commercially, with The Move covering its sardonic ode to hippiedom, "Hey Grandma". Spence's "Omaha" reached the lower rungs of the American singles charts in 1967, and Miller-Stevenson's "8:05" became a country rock standard (covered by The Grateful Dead, Robert Plant, Guy Burlage, and others). Moby Grape has today achieved the status of a highly respected rock album.
In addition to the marketing backlash, band members found themselves in legal trouble for charges (later dropped) of consorting with underage females, and the band's relationship with their manager rapidly deteriorated. The second album, Wow, was a critical and commercial failure. During its recording, Spence came to the studio with an axe, intending to kill Stevenson; he was committed, and after being released from Bellevue Hospital traveled to Nashville to record his only solo album, Oar. The band released three more albums: Moby Grape '69, Truly Fine Citizen, and 20 Granite Creek. In 1972 bob mosley released his only solo album, after which he left the group. The remainder soldiered on for two decades, recording and performing to a small but devoted audience.
Moby Grape was an example of a talented band who, through a combination of mismanagement and inexperience, never fully realized their potential. Along with the Flamin' Groovies, they were somewhat of an anomaly in the San Francisco rock scene; their concision and their strong roots in country music and early rock and roll seemed to work against them. In addition, perhaps because they were so versatile, their image was somewhat nebulous; as writer Robert Christgau put it, "All they really lacked was a boss, and what could be more American than that?"
Going Nowhere
Moby Grape Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You ain't going nowhere
We don't care
You ain't going nowhere
Why do you listen the meaning?
You got nothing to say
When she gave me your love
I don't care, she don't care
We don't care, we don't care
You can take everything
And throw it away
Takes so much time
Takes no time at all
I'm gonna walk the line
We're gonna watch you fall
I'm shining through today
See what you want to see
I wanna know where I'm going
You ain't going nowhere
I don't care, she don't care
We don't care, we don't care
You can take everything
And throw it away
Where's this place I'm staying
You ain't staying nowhere
Step inside my line
What do you think I did?
I'm gonna save the world
We got time to play
I'm gonna save the day
We're gonna see it hang
The lyrics of Moby Grape's song Going Nowhere appear to express a sense of confusion and aimlessness that often accompanies relationships. The singer desires clarity in their direction but asserts that their partner is not helping them find it as they themselves are "not going anywhere". This lack of ambition or motivation is reflected in the apathetic "we don't care" refrain, demonstrating how relationships can sometimes lead to emotional stagnation. The lines "Why do you listen to the meaning? You got nothing to say" suggest a disconnect between the singer and their partner, indicating that they may not communicate well or share the same goals.
The song's lyrics become even more cryptic with the mention of "she gave me your love," implying a romantic triangle or infidelity. The singer doesn't seem to feel guilty about taking the love given to them, instead seeming more concerned with their own quest for purpose. The phrase "takes so much time/takes no time at all" may be a reference to how difficult it can be to find direction in life, with time seemingly dragging on while simultaneously flying by. The singer seems to proclaim their independence in the final lines, with "I'm shining through today/see what you want to see" and "I'm gonna save the world/we're gonna see it hang" appearing to suggest a newfound confidence and determination, ready to face the world alone.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna know where I'm going
I desire to ascertain my true destination
You ain't going nowhere
You lack a definite plan for your journey
We don't care
We are indifferent towards your directionless life
You ain't going nowhere
You are not making any progress towards your goals
Why do you listen the meaning?
Why do you care about the significance of words?
You got nothing to say
You have no valuable contribution to make
When she gave me your love
When your lover bestowed her affections upon me
Yeah, I take it away
Yes, I claimed her love for myself
I don't care, she don't care
Neither of us possess any concern
We don't care, we don't care
Neither of us possess any care or interest
You can take everything
You have the liberty to take all possessions
And throw it away
And discard them carelessly
Takes so much time
Requires a considerable duration
Takes no time at all
Requires almost no duration
I'm gonna walk the line
I intend to follow a specific course of action
We're gonna watch you fall
We will witness your defeat
I'm shining through today
I'm displaying my radiance today
See what you want to see
Perceive what you wish to perceive
I wanna know where I'm going
I desire to ascertain my true destination
You ain't going nowhere
You lack a definite plan for your journey
I don't care, she don't care
Neither of us possess any concern
We don't care, we don't care
Neither of us possess any care or interest
You can take everything
You have the liberty to take all possessions
And throw it away
And discard them carelessly
Where's this place I'm staying
What is the exact location where I'm currently residing?
You ain't staying nowhere
You do not have a permanent abode
Step inside my line
Enter within my limits
What do you think I did?
What is your impression of my actions?
I'm gonna save the world
I'm determined to remedy the world's problems
We got time to play
We possess enough leisure time
I'm gonna save the day
I'm going to be the hero
We're gonna see it hang
We will observe the repercussions of our actions
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.