Where Do I Go from Here
Paul Williams Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I knew the way I′d go back home
But the countryside has changed so much
I'd surely end up lost
Half remembering names and faces
So far in the past
On the other side of bridges that were burned once they were crossed

Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When there′s none left to listen
To a story without meaning
That nobody wants to hear
Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When he knows there's something missing
Tell me where
Where do I go from here
Where do I go from here

To get back home
Where my childhood dreams and wishes still out number my regrets
Get back to a place where I can figure on the odds
Have a fighting chance to lose the blues
And win my share of bets

Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When there's none left to listen
To a story without meaning
That nobody wants to hear
Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When he knows there′s something missing
Tell me where




Where do I go from here
Where do I go from here

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Paul Williams' song "Where Do I Go from Here" tell the story of someone who is lost, both metaphorically and literally. The singer of the song is trying to find his way home, but is struggling to do so because the world around him has changed so much. He worries that if he were to try to go back, he would end up lost and confused, struggling to remember the names and faces that once meant so much to him. Even worse, he realizes that many of the bridges he crossed in the past have since been burned, making it all but impossible to return to the life he once knew.


The song is also about the feeling of being lost and alone, without anyone to turn to or any clear direction to follow. The singer describes himself as a fool who has no one left to listen to his stories, no one who cares about his struggles or his search for meaning. He knows that there is something missing in his life, but he has no idea where to find it or how to fill the void. The song is ultimately a cry for help, a plea for someone to show him the way and guide him back to where he belongs.


Line by Line Meaning

If I knew the way I'd go back home
If I could remember how to get to a place where I feel comfortable and at peace


But the countryside has changed so much
But the world around me has changed and is no longer familiar


I'd surely end up lost
I would undoubtedly become lost in a world that is unfamiliar to me


Half remembering names and faces
Only able to remember bits and pieces of people and things from the past


So far in the past
Things from long ago that feel like they happened a lifetime ago


On the other side of bridges that were burned once they were crossed
Beyond barriers that have been destroyed forever, such as relationships that can never be mended


Where does a fool go
Where can someone who feels lost and foolish turn to for guidance?


When there's none left to listen
When no one is there to heed their cries for help and understanding


To a story without meaning
To a pointless narrative that no one seems to care about


That nobody wants to hear
That nobody is interested in learning about


When he knows there's something missing
When someone is aware that there is something vital missing from their life


Where do I go from here
What direction should one take to move on from a sense of emptiness and loss?




Writer(s): Williams Paul H

Contributed by London N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@williamwallace5533

Lyrics
If I knew the way I'd go back home
But the countryside has changed so much
I'd surely end up lost
Half remembering names and faces
So far in the past
On the other side of bridges that were burned once they were crossed
Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When there's none left to listen
To a story without meaning
That nobody wants to hear
Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When he knows there's something missing
Tell me where
Where do I go from here
Where do I go from here
To get back home
Where my childhood dreams and wishes still out number my regrets
Get back to a place where I can figure on the odds
Have a fighting chance to lose the blues
And win my share of bets
Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When there's none left to listen
To a story without meaning
That nobody wants to hear
Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When he knows there's something missing
Tell me where
Where do I go from here
Where do I go from here



All comments from YouTube:

@DucatiGTS

I believe a lot of us can relate to this song, that's the genius of Paul, he wrote what we all have felt or feel at some point in our life. Hits hard.

@Theasworld1984

I agree this song is very relatable since my grandmother passed away five years and I'm still asking where do I go from here.

@ganimed1976

Clint Eastwood breaks its cigar in half, puts his sunglasses on, the music begins to play and he drives down the endless highway with his brand new Caddilac and his dead friend Lightfoot on the passenger seat. What an awesome ending for an awesome movie ;)

@gregorye.tyrone9145

Such a sad ending :'(

@annacottage4536

I could not agree with you more.

@bobbydazzler9465

Crying right now.

@yardbird7360

@@bobbydazzler9465 Wow... A few beers in... Well. I'll be honest 26 and I'm crying and dying inside, I couldn't be in a better place.

28 More Replies...

@salvagemonster3612

As you get older this song gains more meaning. How this song has not ended up I a movie again is amazing. Leave to Clint to use such a great song

@carolinawestern3875

It's a shame that a lot of people don't realize the heavy significance Paul had on lots of other artists and their careers. Some of which, might not have otherwise existed. Had it not been for him.

@johnsmith-ug5tp

The Carpenters.

More Comments

More Versions