On The Road
Nilsen Kurt Lyrics
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I keep on driving, to the break of dawn
And every house looks all the same
I can't tell the difference
Who am I to blame
Yeah, it's alright to smile
Got no complaints
Claim to be the same
But I'm not, anymore
That's for sure
If I start all over again
Would I have done it differently?
Would I be the same?
Just as every love, that grows to be strong
I can't be there right now, another turn comes along
Yeah, it's alright to smile
Got no complaints
Yeah, I'm all right
Claim to be the same
But I'm not, anymore
I do the show then off I go
I've done the best that I can
And as the sea goes up and down
So do we there's nothing wrong with that
I'm on my way back again
Towards better and greater things
If I stumble will you be there?
Could use a hand
Can I count on you?
Yeah, it's alright to smile
Got no complaints
Yeah, I'm all right
Claim to be the same
Yeah, I'm alright to smile
Got no complaints
Yeah, I'm all right
Claim to be the same
But I'm not, anymore
That's for sure.
The opening stanza of the song On the Road is a clear expression of homesickness. The singer is on the move, driving all through the night, but every house they see looks the same, and they can't tell one from the other. The singer is struggling to come to terms with the similarity in the world around them as they grapple with asking themselves difficult questions about their present situation. They are questioning whether they are to blame, and in their questioning, they are revealing a fundamental innate truth about human beings— the need to explore and experience the world outside of our comfort zones, despite the difficulties and doubts that come along.
In the following stanza, the singer expresses a lot of reflective thoughts about their past and the possibility of doing things differently if they could go back in time. The singer ponders on the nature of change, and how, like love, things that grow stronger get to a point where they are impossible to maintain if one is always on the move. They express sadness at the inability to be present while this change happens in their life since another turn will always come along when we want time to stand still.
In conclusion, the song On the Road is a manifesto that extols the virtue of taking risks in life, despite the uncertainties that come along. The singer is homesick, reflective and mindful of the decisions they have made in the past, and the changes that are happening in their present life. They recognize that change is inevitable, and the need to keep moving, but the constant flux that comes with change can leave one feeling isolated and alone. The song encourages us to keep pushing, keep exploring, take the risks and trust that there will always be people to lend a helping hand along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on the road, I miss my home
I am traveling and far from my familiar surroundings, which makes me feel homesick
I keep on driving, to the break of dawn
I continue driving without any particular destination or plan until sunrise
And every house looks all the same
The houses that I pass by appear identical to one another and blend together
I can't tell the difference
I am unable to distinguish one house from the other due to their uniformity
Who am I to blame
I am uncertain whose fault it is that I am feeling lost and aimless
Yeah, it's alright to smile
It is acceptable to be happy
Got no complaints
I have nothing to criticize or find fault with
Claim to be the same
I pretend to be unchanged or unaffected by my experiences
But I'm not, anymore
In reality, I have undergone changes and am not the same person I used to be
That's for sure
I am certain of this fact
If I start all over again
If I were given a chance to restart my life
Would I have done it differently?
I ponder how I would have made different choices and lived differently
Would I be the same?
I wonder how my experiences have shaped my personality and identity
Just as every love, that grows to be strong
Similar to how a relationship strengthens over time
I can't be there right now, another turn comes along
I cannot fully invest in something or someone right now due to the uncertainty of my future
I do the show then off I go
I perform my job or duty and then move on to the next task or destination
I've done the best that I can
I have put forth my best effort and tried my hardest
And as the sea goes up and down
Similar to how the tides change in the ocean
So do we there's nothing wrong with that
It is natural for our lives to have ups and downs, and that is okay
I'm on my way back again
I am returning to my journey and continuing to move forward
Towards better and greater things
In a direction or path leading to improvement and success
If I stumble will you be there?
If I struggle or fail, will you be there to support me?
Could use a hand
I would appreciate assistance or help in a difficult situation
Can I count on you?
Can I rely on you to be there for me?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KURT NILSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind