99 Miles From L.A
Simon & Garfunkel Lyrics


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Keeping my eyes on the road I see you,
Keeping my hands on the wheel I hold you,
Ninety-nine miles from L.A.
I kiss you, I miss you,
Please be there.

Passing a white sandy beach we're sailing,
Turning the radio on we're dancing,
Ninety-nine miles from L.A.
I want you, I need you,
Please be there.

The windshield is covered with rain, I'm crying,
Pressing my foot on the gas, I'm flying.
Counting the telephone poles, I phone you,
Reading the signs on the road, I write you,
Ninety-nine miles from L.A. we're laughing, we're loving,
Please be there.




We're laughing, we're loving,
Please be there.

Overall Meaning

The song, "99 Miles From L.A." by Simon and Garfunkel, conveys the theme of distance in a relationship. It starts with the singer driving on the road towards his lover, who is 99 miles away in L.A., and expresses how he keeps his eyes on the road because he doesn't want to lose focus on his destination which is his lover. The singer's hands are on the wheel, highlighting his commitment to the relationship, while he sings about how he misses and kisses his lover.


The song goes on to describe how the couple passes a white sandy beach while sailing, and they turn on the radio to dance. They are clearly enjoying their journey and express their love for each other along the way. However, as the singer gets closer to his destination, the rain starts to cover the windshield, and he begins to cry. To combat his sadness, he presses on the gas pedal, and he starts to fly to reach his lover. He counts telephone poles and reads signs while he drives, all the while wishing his lover would be there with him. The song ends with the couple laughing and loving together.


The story is about distance, longing, and hoping to overcome the odds to be with the person you love. It's a song about commitment and the lengths people will go to keep their promises, and the importance of physical presence in a relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Keeping my eyes on the road I see you,
As I drive, my thoughts are always with you.


Keeping my hands on the wheel I hold you,
I feel as though I am holding you even as I drive.


Ninety-nine miles from L.A.
We are far away from the city of Los Angeles.


I kiss you, I miss you,
I long to be with you and feel your lips against mine.


Please be there.
I hope that you are with me, or that you will be soon.


Passing a white sandy beach we're sailing,
We are driving by a beautiful beach and enjoying the scenery.


Turning the radio on we're dancing,
We switch on the radio and start dancing together.


I want you, I need you,
I desire and require your presence in my life.


Please be there.
I hope that you will always be there for me.


The windshield is covered with rain, I'm crying,
As it rains, tears stream down my face and I feel sad.


Pressing my foot on the gas, I'm flying.
I accelerate my vehicle, feeling as though I'm soaring.


Counting the telephone poles, I phone you,
As I pass by telephone poles, I think of you and decide to call you.


Reading the signs on the road, I write you,
As I see road signs, I feel inspired to write a letter to you.


Ninety-nine miles from L.A. we're laughing, we're loving,
Even though we are far away from the city, we find joy and love in each other's company.


Please be there.
I hope that you will always be there for me and that we can continue to share these happy moments.


We're laughing, we're loving,
We are enjoying each other's company and having a wonderful time together.


Please be there.
I hope that you will continue to be with me and share in our happiness.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ALBERT LOUIS HAMMOND, HAL DAVID

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@paulromans3917

He repeatedly pleads, "Please be there", but in his heart he knows she won't be. The memories he has, the feelings, they're all in the past. He's driving to LA because she doesn't answer his letters or calls.

She's gone.

@tombrown1898

The lyrics are amazing. Being so consumed by feelings for a woman that nothing exists apart from the idea of her. Been there. The lyrics were the work of Hal David.

@lorraineb.4698

Who wrote the music?

@tombrown1898

@@lorraineb.4698 Albert Hammond

@helenpeters2443

I listened to this a zillion times. Love his voice. I remember hearing this on the radio in the car on the way to see my bf. True love in college.😊 so sweet

@donnakubiski5572

This is my favorite song on his Breakaway album and one of my favorite songs of all time. Beautiful song that I never get tired of hearing.

@dazzadaddazza

the lyrics fit so well with the music, a haunting uncertainty?

@claudiabranch9393

He allowed us to take the ride with him. Thank you Art for this version of this wonderful song.

@anthonywiertel500

Art has a marvelous voice as shown in this beautiful song! What a talent!

@m.e.d.7997

He really did have a wonderful voice

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