I Gotta Go
Robert Earl Keen, Jr. (born January 11, 1956 in Houston, Texas) is an Ameri… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Earl Keen, Jr. (born January 11, 1956 in Houston, Texas) is an American singer-songwriter. Growing up, Keen was interested in music, sports, movies and writing. He attended Texas A&M University, enrolling in the school of journalism. Disappointed in the College Station, Texas music scene, he began playing guitar and learned to read and write music, basing his style on folk, country, blues and roots rock. In 1977 he rented a house from landlord Jack Boyett, where his neighbor was a then-unknown Lyle Lovett. The two became friends and performed together on the front porch. This eventually grew into inspiration for a song entitled "The Front Porch Song", which both would add to their repertoire. In 1980, Keen graduated from Texas A&M, moved to Austin, Texas and began writing for a newspaper. Soon he was performing in Austin's nightclubs and live music venues, building a solid following. In 1984 he financed the recording of his own EP and distributed it regionally. In 1986, He moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Discouraged by the polish of the new country sound and unable to land a recording contract, Keen moved back to Austin. In 1989 he released his national debut album, West Textures. His 1993 release, A Bigger Piece Of Sky, gained wider acclaim, both amongst fans and critics. Over the next ten years, Keen would continue to write, record, perform and tour. Today, he is popular with traditional country music fans, folk music fans, the college radio crowd and alt-country fans. Keen currently resides in Bandera, Texas.

I Gotta Go
Robert Earl Keen Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've got clothes in my closet and new shoes to wear
And all that I wanted are more than my share
And the woman who loves me she's more than a dream
So why am I feeling so low down and mean?

Well I gave up on smokin' two years ago
And I ain't been drinkin' for a month now or so
And I tell everybody that I've nothin' to hide
While I keep the devil locked deep down inside

Chorus:
And tonight I'll be out there a runnin' around
Tonight by the light of the moon on the ground
Tonight while the neighbors are sleepin' so sound
Tonight I'll slip off and I'll go on downtown

We used to get crazy and jump in our cars
We'd burn up the highways and we'd close down the bars
But now we're all married and some moved away
And we get together there's nothing to say

Chorus

The lights are all down and the moon's hangin' high
And the stars are all shining way up in the sky
And if anyone's askin' where I'll be found
It's home in the mornin' but tonight I'm downtown





Chorus x2

Overall Meaning

The song, "I'll Go On Downtown," by Robert Earl Keen, explores the feeling of being unsatisfied despite having everything one needs. The lyrics describe how he has clothes in his closet, new shoes to wear, and a woman who loves him more than a dream, but he still feels low down and mean. Although he quit smoking two years ago and hasn't been drinking for a month, he still keeps the devil locked deep down inside. The lyrics reveal that he needs to break free from routine and have some adventure, hence he slips off and goes downtown tonight while the neighbors are sleeping soundly.


The song's chorus captures the spirit of the need for adventure and break free as he plans to be out running around, by the light of the moon on the ground, while the neighbors are sleeping and slipping off to downtown. The verses describe the transition of life as they used to be wild and get crazy by jumping into cars, burning highways, and closing down bars. However, now they are married, and some have moved away, and though they get together, there's nothing to say. The song describes a struggle to find satisfaction even with everything one has and how to break free from normalcy and have an adventure.


Line by Line Meaning

I've got clothes in my closet and new shoes to wear
I have everything I need materially


And all that I wanted are more than my share
I have more than enough


And the woman who loves me she's more than a dream
I have a wonderful partner who loves me


So why am I feeling so low down and mean?
Yet I feel unhappy for reasons I can't explain


Well I gave up on smokin' two years ago
I quit smoking two years ago


And I ain't been drinkin' for a month now or so
I haven't drank in over a month


And I tell everybody that I've nothin' to hide
I act like I have nothing to hide


While I keep the devil locked deep down inside
But I have inner demons that I struggle to control


Chorus: And tonight I'll be out there a runnin' around
Tonight I'll ignore my problems and seek excitement


Tonight by the light of the moon on the ground
Under the moon's glow


Tonight while the neighbors are sleepin' so sound
While my neighbors sleep peacefully


Tonight I'll slip off and I'll go on downtown
I'll go out to a more lively area


We used to get crazy and jump in our cars
In the past we were wild and reckless


We'd burn up the highways and we'd close down the bars
We would party all night long


But now we're all married and some moved away
But now, we're grown up and have families


And we get together there's nothing to say
And when we reunite, there's no excitement


Chorus
Repeat chorus


The lights are all down and the moon's hangin' high
The lights are out and the moon is in the sky


And the stars are all shining way up in the sky
The stars twinkle above


And if anyone's askin' where I'll be found
If anyone looks for me


It's home in the mornin' but tonight I'm downtown
I'll be back home in the morning, but tonight I'm out and about


Chorus x2
Repeat chorus twice




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT EARL JR. KEEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@josephclum7614

Heard this on Seal Team and now I can't stop listening to it.

@Andii_Bullivant

Same😂

@graymalkin8145

I listened to this song on repeat for two weeks every day and it never got old. Perfect for a car trip across country

@baroudeur50

Thanks to SEAL TEAM...

@middleslays2414

Bro I did let’s go

@germanymcg7491

Another thanks to Seal Team!! Best show ever!

@user-ni4mw6vv9n

Daaaamm i'm here cuz the SEAL TEAM too buddy

@marvindalton5122

Which season/episode was this song on? If u can remember man.

@rodrigocosta9901

right

1 More Replies...

@detweilcny

Outstanding! First time ever hearing anything by this artist and I loved it!

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