José
Perez Prado and his Orchestra Francis Bay and his Orchestra Lyrics


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Do you know the way to San Jose
I've been away so long
I may go wrong and lose my way
Do you know the way to San Jose
I'm going back to find some peace of mind in San Jose

L.A. is a great big freeway
Put a hundred down and buy a car
In a week, maybe two, they'll make you a star
Weeks turn into years
How quick they pass
And all the stars that never were
Are parking cars and pumping gas

You can really breathe in San Jose
They've got a lot of space
There'll be a place where I can stay
I was born and raised in San Jose
I'm going back to find some peace of mind in San Jose

Fame and fortune is a magnet
It can pull you far away from home
With a dream in your heart you're never alone

Dreams turn into dust and blow away
And there you are without a friend
You pack your car and ride away

I've got lots of friends in San Jose
Do you know the way to San Jose?

L.A. is a great big freeway
Put a hundred down and buy a car
In a week, maybe two, they'll make you a star

Weeks turn into years, how quick they pass
And all the stars that never were
Are parking cars and pumping gas

I've got lots of friends in San Jose




Do you know the way to San Jose?
Can't wait to get back to San Jose

Overall Meaning

The song "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" by Perez Prado and his Orchestra Francis Bay and his Orchestra reflects the struggle of an individual trying to find their way back home. The song is a reflection of the disillusionment experienced by a person who has traveled to Los Angeles in search of fame and fortune. The lyrics paint a picture of the lonely journey of a hopeful artist who dreams of making it big but ultimately finds himself lost in the fast-paced world of LA.


The song's chorus asks if anyone knows the way to San Jose, which the singer is hoping to return to finding peace of mind. The verses of the song depict the individual's frustration with the LA lifestyle, where fame and fortune are often short-lived, and the line between success and failure is thin.


The song is a poignant commentary on the transience of fame and the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of adversity. The singer realizes that they have left behind the things that truly matter to them, like friends and family, and they long to return to their roots.


Overall, "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" is a reflective and introspective song that speaks to the universal desire for a sense of belonging and the importance of chasing one's dreams while staying grounded in reality.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you know the way to San Jose
Asking if the listener is aware of the route to San Jose.


I've been away so long
Explaining that the singer has been absent for some time.


I may go wrong and lose my way
Acknowledging that they may not remember the way and get lost.


I'm going back to find some peace of mind in San Jose
Stating that the purpose of the trip is to seek solace in San Jose.


L.A. is a great big freeway
Referring to Los Angeles as a city dominated by freeways.


Put a hundred down and buy a car
Recommending buying a car in LA with a hundred dollars.


In a week, maybe two, they'll make you a star
Stating the possibility of achieving fame quickly in Los Angeles.


Weeks turn into years
Describing how quickly time flies.


How quick they pass
Emphasizing how fast time flies.


And all the stars that never were
Referring to unsuccessful aspiring artists.


Are parking cars and pumping gas
Describing how they end up with menial jobs instead of achieving fame.


They've got a lot of space
Referring to the abundance of open areas in San Jose.


There'll be a place where I can stay
Stating that they will find a place to stay in San Jose.


I was born and raised in San Jose
Revealing the singer's hometown.


Fame and fortune is a magnet
Describing the allure of money and success.


It can pull you far away from home
Stating that success can lead to physical distance from one's roots.


With a dream in your heart you're never alone
Believing that having a dream can make one feel unaccompanied.


Dreams turn into dust and blow away
Implying that dreams can be easily broken and forgotten.


And there you are without a friend
Pointing out the possibility of being alone without one's support system.


You pack your car and ride away
Describing an action one might take after a disillusioning experience.


I've got lots of friends in San Jose
Stating that the singer has many friends in San Jose.


Can't wait to get back to San Jose
Expressing eagerness to return to San Jose.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: HAL DAVID, BURT BACHARACH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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