Slip Away
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Lyrics


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She lives in the TV sky
She lives in such pain
She rides in a bulletproof
Stretch limousine
The smoke in the barroom nights
The faces in the window
The sound of the harbor horn
She recognized

And when the music started
She just slipped away
Just like a river rollin' down
And when the music started
She just slipped away

High on a windy hill
The turbine did whine
Low in the valley chill
A baby was cryin'
Impossible to take the time
The moment is here
Cry out from behind the pines
A voice comin' near

And when the music started
She just slipped away
Just like a river rollin' down




And when the music started
She just slipped away

Overall Meaning

The song "Slip Away" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse has a haunting quality, thanks in part to the enigmatic lyrics which describe a woman who seems almost otherworldly. The opening lines set the scene, describing the woman as "living in the TV sky" and "living in such pain". These lines suggest that the woman is disconnected from reality and suffering in some way, perhaps due to the isolation and emptiness of modern life. The mention of the "bulletproof stretch limousine" reinforces this sense of distance and inaccessibility, as if she is untouchable and unreachable.


The second verse suggests a contrast between the woman's life and the natural world, with references to a windy hill and a crying baby. The lines "Impossible to take the time/The moment is here" seem to underscore the fleeting nature of life and the urgency of seizing the present moment. The final lines of the song return to the idea of music as a means of escape, as the woman "just slipped away" in response to its power.


Overall, "Slip Away" is a song that speaks to the challenges of modern life and the desire for escape and transcendence. Through its vivid imagery and poignant lyrics, it captures a sense of yearning and longing that is both universal and deeply personal.


Line by Line Meaning

She lives in the TV sky
The person in the song is so consumed by media and screens that she appears to live within the world of the television.


She lives in such pain
Despite living in a technologically advanced world, she has not found happiness and appears to be struggling with some sort of personal pain.


She rides in a bulletproof Stretch limousine
Despite her struggles, she has access to immense privilege and luxury.


The smoke in the barroom nights
The person in the song may be prone to visiting bars and clubs where the smoking of cigarettes is a common practice.


The faces in the window
While at these places, she may observe other people through their reflections on windows.


The sound of the harbor horn
She finds comfort in the sounds of the harbor horn, perhaps because they signify something familiar in an ever-changing world.


She recognized
These sensory experiences are not new to her, and she takes comfort in their familiarity.


And when the music started, She just slipped away
Despite her recognition of familiar sensory experiences, music seems to be able to transport her away from the present moment and into a different state of being.


Just like a river rollin' down
Her slipping away may feel just as natural and unstoppable as a river flowing downstream.


High on a windy hill
The setting for this scene changes, and she is now on top of a hill where the wind is strong.


The turbine did whine
She hears the sound of a wind turbine, which adds to the soundscapes of her environment.


Low in the valley chill
She can also hear a baby crying in the distance, reminding her of the highs and lows that exist in life.


Impossible to take the time
Despite being aware of the beauty around her, she may feel unable to fully appreciate it due to societal pressures or personal circumstances.


The moment is here
She knows that she is present in a moment that may pass by too quickly if she doesn't make a conscious effort to be present in it.


Cry out from behind the pines
She hears someone calling out from behind the pine trees, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue.


A voice comin' near
The voice is getting closer, causing her to wonder who it may be and what they may bring to this moment.




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: NEIL YOUNG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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