After becoming instant Top 40 material with their driving hit Right Now and the lesser-known Politically Correct on their first album, the band slowly shied from the limelight for its second album, part of the reason the third album was not released in the US.
In recent days lead singer Mitch Allan has pursued a solo career, reworking some SR-71 songs and creating some of his own. SR-71 split in 2007, but reformed in 2009.
The name of the band came from SR-71 Blackbird, a retired supersonic surveillance aircraft of the United States Air Force.
Current Members:
* Mitch Allan - lead vocals, guitar
* Pat DeMent - guitar, backing vocals
* Mike Ruocco - bass, backing vocals
* John Allen - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Former members:
* Dan Garvin - drums, percussion, backing vocals (1998–2001)
* Mark Beauchemin - guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1998–2003)
* Jeff Reid - bass, keyboards, backing vocals (1998–2003)
Go Away
SR-71 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I look past this lonely minute
Was this the ride worth waiting for
I'm scared to death that now I've missed it
But she was not the only stone, skipped across this gravel road
Leading down the path of loneliness
So I'll fly from this hate, pray my soul the lord will take me
To a place through time and indifference
I want to know how do you feel
I want to know if this was real
Then tell me what would you say
If you can make this pain go away
She plans her future looking bright ahead
Leaves me in the past.
I can't stand to hang out with my codependent friends
My patience fading fast
But every sign and every song is telling me I don't belong,
But it's O.K. to feel scared
Cause one day soon I'll find myself and realize that no one else
Will make me feel stupid!
There's this old man down in Fell's Point,
Always hanging around
Telling me, "Son, the pendulum swings both ways
But for you, It'll always swing down!"
In the song "Go Away" by SR-71, the lyrics explore feelings of loneliness, regret, and insecurity following the end of a relationship. The singer is reflecting on his past, wondering if he missed out on something special when he let the relationship end. He is also struggling to deal with the present, feeling lost and unsure of where he belongs without his former partner. However, despite all of this, there is a glimmer of hope present in the song, as the singer looks forward to finding himself and realizing that he doesn't need anyone else to feel complete.
The opening lines of the song immediately set the stage for the internal turmoil that the singer is grappling with. He checks his face in the mirror, indicating that he is seeking some kind of validation or approval from himself. However, he is also worried that he may have missed out on something important by letting his former partner go. The image of skipping stones across a gravel road is a powerful metaphor for the transience of relationships, and the idea that the singer is on a path of loneliness emphasizes the isolation he is feeling.
The chorus of the song is a plea for answers and relief from the singer's pain. He wants to know if the relationship was real and if his partner truly cared for him. He also wants to know if there is any way to make the pain of the breakup go away. This vulnerability is juxtaposed with the image of the woman planning for her bright future without the singer. He feels left behind and abandoned, and his patience is wearing thin.
However, the song ends on a note of hope, as the singer looks to an old man for wisdom and guidance. The man tells him that the pendulum swings both ways, but for him, it will always swing down. This implies that the singer has hit rock bottom and can only go up from here. He will find himself and realize that he doesn't need anyone else to be happy.
Line by Line Meaning
Once inside the door I check my face in the mirror,
Upon entering, I pause and observe my physical appearance in the mirror.
As I look past this lonely minute
I gaze beyond this current moment of solitude.
Was this the ride worth waiting for
I question if the journey was worth the wait.
I'm scared to death that now I've missed it
I fear that I may have missed out on a valuable experience.
But she was not the only stone, skipped across this gravel road
Although she may have been important, she was not the sole significant experience on my journey.
Leading down the path of loneliness
The journey has led me towards feelings of isolation.
So I'll fly from this hate, pray my soul the lord will take me
I will attempt to escape from negative emotions and hope to be taken to a better place.
To a place through time and indifference
A location that is affected neither by time nor emotional disinterest.
I want to know how do you feel
I desire to understand your emotional state.
I want to know if this was real
I am curious if what happened between us was genuine.
Then tell me what would you say
Please communicate your thoughts regarding the situation.
If you can make this pain go away
It would be appreciated if you could relieve me of this emotional suffering.
She plans her future looking bright ahead
She is optimistic about her future.
Leaves me in the past.
She has moved on from the past experiences between us.
I can't stand to hang out with my codependent friends
I cannot tolerate being around my friends who always rely on others.
My patience fading fast
I am losing my tolerance for the situation.
But every sign and every song is telling me I don't belong,
Various signs and music indicate that I do not fit in.
But it's O.K. to feel scared
It is acceptable to experience feelings of fear.
Cause one day soon I'll find myself and realize that no one else
Eventually, I will come to understand that I am capable of finding myself, without anyone else's help.
Will make me feel stupid!
I will no longer allow others to make me feel foolish.
There's this old man down in Fell's Point,
In an area known as Fell's Point, there is an elderly gentleman.
Always hanging around
He is consistently present in the area.
Telling me, "Son, the pendulum swings both ways
The man advises me that the situation can be viewed from multiple perspectives.
But for you, It'll always swing down!"
However, from my perspective, events may unfortunately result negatively.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MITCHELL ALLAN SCHERR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind