Do You Know the Way to San Jose
Ron Goodwin 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

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 quck 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 lyrics of Ron Goodwin's song "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" tell the story of a person who feels lost and seeks solace by returning to their hometown of San Jose. The first stanza expresses the singer's uncertainty and fear of getting lost, but their longing for peace of mind overrides these worries. The song establishes a contrast between the singer's current location – Los Angeles – and San Jose, where they hope to find what they're looking for. The second stanza draws attention to the transience of fame and the loneliness that can come with pursuing a dream. The refrain "Do you know the way to San Jose?" becomes a repeated plea for guidance and connection.


The song's chorus repeats the idea that Los Angeles is a place where one can achieve success quickly (by buying a car), but this success is often fleeting. Meanwhile, San Jose provides space to breathe and a sense of place that the singer longs for. The final verse brings the song full circle with references to the singer's friends in San Jose and their eagerness to return home.


The lyrics of "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" may not be complex, but they convey a sense of longing and the yearning for a sense of place that many people can relate to. The text hits a chord as it celebrates returning home to a place – a milestone in any person's life – and the comfort therein.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you know the way to San Jose?
Asking for directions to the city of San Jose


I've been away so long. I may go wrong and lose my way.
Afraid of getting lost since it's been a long time since being in San Jose


I'm going back to find some peace of mind in San Jose.
Hoping to find tranquility by returning to San Jose


L.A. is a great big freeway.
Los Angeles is a chaotic and fast-paced city


Put a hundred down and buy a car.
Purchasing a car is a requirement to navigate the vastness of Los Angeles


In a week, maybe two, they'll make you a star
The entertainment industry in Los Angeles can lead to quick success and fame


Weeks turn into years. How quick they pass
Time flies by, and before you know it, years have passed in Los Angeles


And all the stars that never were
Many people who come to Los Angeles to become stars never achieve their dreams


Are parking cars and pumping gas
Many who don't make it in the entertainment industry end up in mundane jobs


You can really breathe in San Jose
San Jose is a calm and peaceful city


They've got a lot of space. There'll be a place where I can stay
San Jose has plenty of room to move around and find a comfortable place to live


I was born and raised in San Jose
The singer has a deep connection and history with the city of San Jose


Fame and fortune is a magnet.
The lure of becoming famous and rich can be overpowering


It can pull you far away from home
The pursuit of fame and fortune can take someone away from their roots and family


With a dream in your heart you're never alone.
Having a dream can provide comfort and companionship


Dreams turn into dust and blow away
Dreams can be fleeting and easily forgotten


And there you are without a friend
When dreams fade away, it can leave someone feeling isolated and disconnected


You pack your car and ride away
Moving on from lost dreams often means physically leaving a place or situation


I've got lots of friends in San Jose
The singer has a support system in San Jose


Do you know the way to San Jose?
Asking again for directions to the city of San Jose


Can't wait to get back to San Jose.
Eagerly anticipating a return to the peace and familiarity of 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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Comments from YouTube:

@HIBBO32

Good old Joe! Great video and music again, Socratess.

@Socratess2007

@MrMaymac Hi Miguel, thanks for the nice compliment and sending some sparkling spring greetings back to you ! We've got blue skies and temperatures of some 15° now ..... that's " quite warm " for Belgian standards ;-)

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