Riverside Drive
Peter Wolf Lyrics


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Lookin' for a little bit of mystery
Lookin' for a little bit of mystery
Lookin' for a little bit of mystery

Walking by myself down Riverside Drive
Got a cool breeze blowing from the Jersy side
Watching the lights from the Palisades
Got the city buzzin' round me like a serenade
Long time since I walked here last

Funny how the years go by so fast
Whatever happened to you and me
Is now just a photo and a memory
'Cause every step is a memory
Flying by so easily
Moment to moment
It's plain to see
That time don't need nobody

Outside of love
Outside of love
Outside of love again tonight

Swing time on a bourbon high
Full moon stretched out across the sky
Jocko's jiving on the radio
Symphony Sid and his late late show
Sun coming up East River Drive
Garbage trucks loading up a big surprise
Early Sunday morning people going nowhere
Walking slow motion wit a zombie stare
Man, look at this city, it's sure been beat
If you're cooking in the kitchen, gonna feel the heat
Year after year, it's hard to survive
Take a chance with me, baby
Down on Riverside Drive

Outside of love
Outside of love
Outside of love tonight

Lookin' for a little bit of mystery

Meet me baby by the midnight train
This is Wolfa-Goofa Mamma-Toofa callin' your name
There's a cool breeze blowin' by the Jersey Side
One last walk down Riverside Drive

Lookin' for a little bit of mystery...

Overall Meaning

Peter Wolf's song "Riverside Drive" is a reflective and nostalgic song about walking by himself down Riverside Drive, where he used to walk with someone he loved, who is now just a photo and a memory. The light through this song in terms of the theme is finding a little bit of mystery, which conveys that he is looking for something new in his life. The song talks about a cool breeze blowing from the Jersey side and watching the lights from the Palisades. The city buzzes around him, making him feel like he is in a serenade.


As Wolf walks down Riverside Drive, he reflects on how times have changed and the years that have flown by. The song brings an accuracy in how time passes us by so quickly that it's hard to keep up with it. He finds meaning in every step that he takes along the way, and these moments are what contribute to the memories that he carries with him. He talks about taking a chance on a new chance with love down on Riverside Drive, and that outside of love, there isn't anything else. The song ends with a plea, Wolf asks the person he is thinking about meeting to meet him by the midnight train, and they can take one last walk down Riverside Drive.


Line by Line Meaning

Lookin' for a little bit of mystery
The singer is searching for something elusive and thrilling


Walking by myself down Riverside Drive
The singer is walking alone along the famous New York street


Got a cool breeze blowing from the Jersey side
The singer can feel the refreshing air coming from the Hudson River


Watching the lights from the Palisades
The artist is admiring the beautiful view of the cliffs and the surrounding city lights


Got the city buzzin' round me like a serenade
The artist is enjoying the lively and dynamic atmosphere of the city


Long time since I walked here last
The singer reflects on how much time has passed since they last visited the place


Funny how the years go by so fast
The singer finds it ironic how quickly time has flown by


Whatever happened to you and me
The artist is pondering what has become of a former relationship


Is now just a photo and a memory
The artist realizes that their past experiences are now mere recollections


'Cause every step is a memory
The artist is nostalgic and sees every footstep as a remembrance of the past


Flying by so easily
Time seems to be passing quickly and effortlessly


Moment to moment
The artist focuses on the present, taking it one instance at a time


It's plain to see
The singer is confident and certain of what they are observing


That time don't need nobody
Time continues moving forward on its own without needing anyone to guide it


Outside of love
The singer is outside of a romantic relationship


Swing time on a bourbon high
The artist is enjoying a night out with drinks, most likely bourbon


Full moon stretched out across the sky
The artist is admiring the full moon high up in the sky


Jocko's jiving on the radio
The singer is listening to the radio show of Jocko Henderson, a popular DJ in the 1950s and 60s


Symphony Sid and his late late show
The singer is listening to Symphony Sid Torin's late night jazz show


Sun coming up East River Drive
The sun is starting to rise over the East River


Garbage trucks loading up a big surprise
The artist sees the garbage trucks cleaning up and collecting waste


Early Sunday morning people going nowhere
The artist observes people walking aimlessly on a Sunday morning


Walking slow motion with a zombie stare
People are walking very slowly, almost like zombies, and appear lifeless or lost in thought


Man, look at this city, it's sure been beat
The artist comments on the hardships the city has faced over the years


If you're cooking in the kitchen, gonna feel the heat
The city can be unforgiving, and if you're not careful, you can get burned


Year after year, it's hard to survive
The city is relentless, and each year brings new challenges


Take a chance with me, baby, down on Riverside Drive
The singer invites someone to join them on a romantic adventure on Riverside Drive


Meet me baby by the midnight train
The artist arranges a meeting by the train at midnight


This is Wolfa-Goofa Mamma-Toofa calling your name
The artist declares their eccentric persona and playfully calls for the meeting partner


One last walk down Riverside Drive
The singer suggests taking a final stroll together on Riverside Drive


Lookin' for a little bit of mystery
The singer is still seeking an element of enigma and surprise in life




Contributed by John P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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