Spellbound
Sam Roberts Band Lyrics
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Dressed in the clothes
Your momma left out for you
The night before
You'd come throwing
Stones at the roof
'Til I'd creep down the stairs and unlock the door
We had a one-track mind for trouble
All we could find, all we could find
Spellbound and dreaming
At the sundown without blinking
'Til we'd go blind, we'd go blind
So long, but not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
So long but not gooodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
In the evening with the beat-down day behind
We'd catch a ride on into town
Hell-bound and bleeding
Our words and fists were flying
We were glory bound, we were glory bound
Holes in your jeans, man
You've got a punch-drunk poet's heart
Hiding in the walls of your skin
You'd best be leaving, got a brand-new pair of shoes
Needs breaking in, breaking in
So long, but not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
So long, but goodbye
Not goodbye
Not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
So long, but not goodbye
Not goodbye
Not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
Not goodbye
The howls of autumn echo across the lake
And up your spine into the sky
Some forgotten
Truth you used to own
Comes back to mind, comes back to mind
So long, but not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
So long, but not goodbye
Not goodbye
Not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
So long, but not goodbye
Not goodbye
Not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
So long, but not goodbye
Not goodbye
Not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
So long, but not goodbye
Not goodbye
Not goodbye
Not goodbye
Not goodbye
Not goodbye
Not goodbye
Ooh, not goodbye
So long, but not goodbye
Not goodbye
Not goodbye
The lyrics of "Spellbound" by Sam Roberts Band have a nostalgic and bittersweet tone, evoking memories of reckless youth and the pain of growing up. The song seems to describe a close friendship between two young men who can only find excitement and meaning in their reckless behavior. The first verse describes the ritual of the singer waiting for his friend to visit him at night by throwing stones at his roof, eager to embark on their next adventure. The second verse describes their wild nights in town, where they would get into fights and cause trouble, feeling invincible and on top of the world. However, the final verse introduces a note of melancholy and regret, as the singer reflects on the past and realizes that they have lost something precious and can never fully recapture the carefree spirit of their youth. The haunting refrain of "so long, but not goodbye" suggests that while the friendship may have ended, the memories and feelings associated with it will linger forever.
The song features a mix of rock, country, and folk influences, with an emphasis on catchy guitar riffs and driving percussion. The band's tight harmonies and creative arrangements help to convey the emotional weight of the lyrics, infusing each line with a sense of longing and nostalgia. "Spellbound" is a powerful tribute to the joys and sorrows of youth, and a reminder that even the most intense and passionate friendships are subject to the passage of time and the transformations of life.
Line by Line Meaning
In the morning
At the early hours of the day
Dressed in the clothes
Wearing the attire
Your momma left out for you
The garments that your mother laid for you to wear
The night before
During the previous night
You'd come throwing
You would throw
Stones at the roof
Rocks at the ceiling
'Til I'd creep down the stairs and unlock the door
Until I would sneakingly use the stairs and unfasten the door
Restless and free, man
Unsettled and independent, buddy
We had a one-track mind for trouble
Our thought process was concentrated on nuisances
All we could find, all we could find
Everything we could see, all that was visible
Spellbound and dreaming
In a daze, heaps of imagination
At the sundown without blinking
During sunset without closing an eye
'Til we'd go blind, we'd go blind
Until we were sightless, completely blind
So long, but not goodbye
Farewell, but not permanently
Ooh, not goodbye
Oh no, not permanently
In the evening with the beat-down day behind
During sunset after a tiresome day
We'd catch a ride on into town
We'll grab a lift to the city
Hell-bound and bleeding
Going towards hell and hurt
Our words and fists were flying
Our language and punches were airborne
We were glory bound, we were glory bound
We were determined to attain glory
Holes in your jeans, man
Ripped sections in your pants, friend
You've got a punch-drunk poet's heart
You possess a battered poet's heart
Hiding in the walls of your skin
Concealing in the layers of your skin
You'd best be leaving, got a brand-new pair of shoes
You should leave promptly cause you have a fresh set of shoes
Needs breaking in, breaking in
Requires usage to become comfortable
The howls of autumn echo across the lake
The cries of fall reverberate throughout the lake
And up your spine into the sky
Up your back and into the sky
Some forgotten
Something abandoned
Truth you used to own
The truth you previously possessed
Comes back to mind, comes back to mind
Returns to memory, reappears in memory
Writer(s): Sam Lewis Roberts
Contributed by Wyatt H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Audra Love
I can't deny this is the best song I've ever heard in the herstory of my life, so beautiful, just so beautiful, thank you so much for this song you guys!!!!
shawn hambler
Love the comment makes the song that much better 💓
Lisa Lewis
This song is so dreamy. Can’t stop listening to it. That guitar at the end...wow!
nightMair Creative
Can’t get enough of this song! Puts my imagination in to amazing places
Nathan Holding
You guys are sooooo under rated holy.
Awesome!
DC Fenton
Shelved this lp at first, gave it a second listen and I am so gripped by melody and rhythm. I can't wait until I can hear it again!
sumfun
Amazing sound! Thank you...Makes me feel that you're singing it to Gord...Love him
shawn hambler
Yes to all the ok ones we have loved, and lost. Until we will meet again.
fridayglamour
This is the best song from their album. I <3 it
zaraken
I lost my father this year 2022, this song helped me get by... i dont think the lyrics are meant to what i feel it mean for me but the refrain helped me say "not goodbye" to my dear father.