All Night Long
Southside Johnny The Asbury Jukes Lyrics
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Man he used to shake 'em down
He'd turn it up and then he'd make it scream
But then he put it down
I used to go just to watch him play
All night long
Now all I ever see him do is pray
All night long
I got a letter from a friend of mine
It knocked me off my feet
He said he saw a girl I used to know
Workin' on the street
She's the one who helped me find my way
All night long
Now you tell me that she's gone astray
Well, man, I hope you're wrong
I hope you're wrong
Well I don't know about it, it's a mystery
Wish I knew how to walk the straight and narrow
And still be me, still be me
I still go back there every now and then
Just to walk around
I can't get caught up in them memories
I'm afraid I'll drown
I used to try to drink my life away
All night long
Now I try to take it day by day
Right or wrong
People tell me there's a better way
All night long
All I ever want to do is play
All night long
All night long
The song "All Night Long" by Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes tells a story about growing up and losing oneself in the process. The lyrics revolve around a man reminiscing about his youth, specifically about a bar and its music. When he was 14, he sneakily entered a bar where a man played on stage and made the crowd go wild. The man was a symbol of freedom and self-expression, and the singer admired him. However, years later, the man's passion seems to have waned, and he just prays all night long. This change was jarring for the singer, who used to see the man's performances as a form of artistic expression.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of longing for a lost time, a lost love, and a lost self. The singer gets a letter from a friend, informing him that a girl he knew has resorted to prostitution, a stark contrast from their previous experiences. This development is both depressing and confusing for him, as he wishes he knew how to keep walking the straight and narrow while still being true to himself. The bar and its music become a metaphor for these emotions, with the singer going back to the bar to reminisce about the past but also feeling like he could drown in those memories.
Interestingly, the song's lyrics also hint at the change in music style and preferences as time goes by. The wild, passionate music of the past transforms into quieter, somber tunes, which the singer finds unsatisfying. He yearns for the energy and spontaneity of the past, but it seems like it's all gone now.
In summary, "All Night Long" captures the wistful nostalgia and confusion that comes with growing older and losing oneself in the process. It talks about our search for self-expression and meaning, while also acknowledging how challenging that can be with societal expectations and norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Snuck in the barroom, I was just 14
I entered the bar with stealth because I was only fourteen years old
Man he used to shake 'em down
He would play the music so well that it would captivate the crowd
He'd turn it up and then he'd make it scream
He would increase the tempo of the music and play it so loud that it felt like it was screaming
But then he put it down
But then he would stop playing abruptly
I used to go just to watch him play
I used to go to watch his performances at the bar
All night long
Throughout the night
Now all I ever see him do is pray
Nowadays, all I see him do is to pray
I got a letter from a friend of mine
I received a letter from one of my friends
It knocked me off my feet
It surprised me or shocked me
He said he saw a girl I used to know
He informed me that he saw a girl I was familiar with
Workin’ on the street
She was engaged in prostitution
She’s the one who helped me find my way
She was instrumental in helping me find the right path
Now you tell me that she’s gone astray
Now you're informing me that she's lost her way
Well, man, I hope you’re wrong
I sincerely hope that you are wrong
Well I don’t know about it, it’s a mystery
I'm not sure about it, it's mysterious
Wish I knew how to walk the straight and narrow
I wish I knew how to do the right things in life and not wander off the path
And still be me, still be me
And yet still maintain my identity and individuality
...
The next three lines are a repetition of the chorus
I still go back there every now and then
I still visit the bar once in a while
Just to walk around
Just to stroll around and reminisce
I can’t get caught up in them memories
I cannot let myself get too absorbed in those memories
I’m afraid I’ll drown
I'm scared that I will become overwhelmed and consumed by them
I used to try to drink my life away
I used to attempt to drown my sorrows in alcohol
...
The remaining lines are a repetition of the chorus
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BECKY HOBBS, MARK SHERRILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind