Go Or Go Ahead
Rufus Wainwright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guardian angels who left me stranded
It was worth it, feeling abandoned
Makes one hardened but what has happened to love
You got me writing lyrics on postcards
Then in the evenings, looking at the stars
But the brightest of the planets is Mars
What has happened to love?
So I will opt for the big white limo
Vanity fairgrounds and rebel angels
You can't be trusted with feathers so hollow
Your heaven's invention, steel-eyed vampires of love
You see over me, I'll never know
What you have shown to other eyes
Go or go ahead and surprise me
Say you've led the way to a mirage
Go or go ahead and just try me
(What has happened to love?)
Nowhere's now here smelling of junipers
Fell off the hay bales, I'm over the rainbows
But oh, Medusa, kiss me and crucify
This unholy notion of the mythic powers of love
Look in her eyes, look in her eyes
Forget about the ones that are crying
Look in her eyes, look in her eyes
Forget about the ones that are crying
Go or go ahead
Go or go ahead
Go or go ahead and surprise me
Go or go ahead
Go or go ahead
Go or go ahead and surprise me
The lyrics to Rufus Wainwright's song "Go Or Go Ahead" are open to interpretation, but they seem to touch on the theme of love and the challenges that come with it. The first stanza speaks of bitter knowledge and feeling abandoned by guardian angels, yet finding it worth it as it toughens the heart. The second stanza describes writing lyrics about stars and planets, with Mars being the brightest, implying a sense of longing and searching for something greater. The third stanza seems to address the idea of vanity and the fleeting nature of love, with references to fairgrounds and steel-eyed vampires.
The chorus repeats the phrase "go or go ahead" and implores the listener to surprise the singer. The fourth stanza speaks of the present moment, with the singer smelling of junipers and feeling over the rainbows. The fifth stanza references the mythical character Medusa, asking to be kissed and crucified to dispel the idea of the mythic powers of love. The last lines repeat the chorus and emphasize forgetting about the past and embracing the unknown.
Overall, the lyrics are enigmatic and open to multiple interpretations. Perhaps they speak to the struggles we face when trying to find love, the disillusionment and disappointment that can come with it, and the need to keep moving forward and embracing the unexpected.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you for this bitter knowledge
I am grateful for the painful lesson I've learned
Guardian angels who left me stranded
Those who were supposed to protect me left me alone
It was worth it, feeling abandoned
The experience of abandonment has made me stronger
Makes one hardened but what has happened to love
It may have toughened me up, but what happened to love in the process?
You got me writing lyrics on postcards
You've inspired me to express myself through writing
Then in the evenings, looking at the stars
I spend my nights seeking inspiration from the sky
But the brightest of the planets is Mars
Despite all the beauty around me, Mars shines the brightest
So I will opt for the big white limo
I'll choose the flashy, glamorous option
Vanity fairgrounds and rebel angels
I'll embrace the superficiality of fame and those who dare to rebel
You can't be trusted with feathers so hollow
I can't rely on those who lack substance
Your heaven's invention, steel-eyed vampires of love
Those who claim to offer love are like vampires, empty and predatory
You see over me, I'll never know
I'll never understand how you truly see me
What you have shown to other eyes
I'm curious about the way you present yourself to others
Go or go ahead and surprise me
Take a chance and do something unexpected
Say you've led the way to a mirage
Admit that what you've promised may not be real
Nowhere's now here smelling of junipers
I'm in a place that feels both nowhere and now here, surrounded by the scent of junipers
Fell off the hay bales, I'm over the rainbows
I've stumbled and fallen, but I'm moving past the illusions
But oh, Medusa, kiss me and crucify
I'm drawn to the danger of the mythical figure Medusa
This unholy notion of the mythic powers of love
I question the idea that love has supernatural abilities
Look in her eyes, look in her eyes
Focus on the person in front of you
Forget about the ones that are crying
Don't let the emotions of others distract you
Go or go ahead and surprise me
Take a risk and surprise me once more
Go or go ahead
Keep moving forward
Go or go ahead and surprise me
Continue to take chances and surprise me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Rufus Wainwright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind