It's said that the musical urge in Kellogg started with a mixture of his dad's records (Cat Stevens/Jim Croce) and his sister's (Mötley Crüe/Bon Jovi). The songwriting of the former and the showmanship of the latter was the beginning of the musical attitude that pervades Kellogg's work today. Kellogg got his start recording and touring while attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 1994-1998. He independently released several solo albums before being signed to Universal Records in 2004.
www.stephenkellogg.com
I Don't Want To Die On The Road
Stephen Kellogg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It took a while but I found out the truth
If nothing gold can ever stay you take the cards you’re dealt today
And make them into something you can use
The dreams I had when I was younger, some so wild and filled with wonder
Some that I have failed to recognize
For all these kids and all this noise and all that time spent with the boys
I don’t know why it comes as a surprise
That I don’t want to die on the road
Some place that is not my home
I’ve been wrong before but this I know, that I don’t want to die on the road
If rock n’ roll can save your soul
It’s also gonna take its toll
You get the things you give
And I gave this a lot
Buddy Holly, Stevie Ray, Harry Chapin, Jim Croce but not my name today
If it’s something you don’t want to hear, then keep your hands upon your ears
Remember though that there will come a time
When all you’ve said is all you’ll say, you might as well kill me today
If this is all I’m gonna leave behind
See I don’t want to die on the road
Some place I don’t even know
I’ve been wrong before but this I know, that I don’t want to die
No I don’t want to die on the road
In Stephen Kellogg's song "I Don't Want To Die On The Road," the artist reflects on his experiences as a musician and the toll it takes on both the body and soul. He references musicians such as Jackson Browne and Levon Helm, whom he values greatly and has likely been influenced by in his own career. Kellogg acknowledges the transience of life and the fleeting nature of success in the industry, as he sings "If nothing gold can ever stay you take the cards you’re dealt today // And make them into something you can use." This speaks to his resilience and his ability to adapt to change, which is necessary for any artist who intends to survive in such a competitive field.
The chorus, "I don’t want to die on the road // Some place that is not my home," is a nod to the seemingly glamorous lifestyle of touring, which is actually quite taxing and can be detrimental to one's health. While Kellogg recognizes the potential for rock n' roll music to "save your soul," he also acknowledges the cost, singing "It’s also gonna take its toll // You get the things you give // And I gave this a lot." He reflects on the untimely deaths of musicians such as Buddy Holly and Jim Croce, emphasizing that he does not want the same fate for himself.
Line by Line Meaning
From Jackson Browne to Levon Helm, to all the things I care about
My musical inspirations and those I hold dear to my heart have taught me an important lesson
It took a while but I found out the truth
After much reflection, I've come to a realization
If nothing gold can ever stay you take the cards you’re dealt today
Life is fleeting, so it's important to make the best of what we have
And make them into something you can use
We must turn our experiences into tools for growth
The dreams I had when I was younger, some so wild and filled with wonder
As a child, my aspirations were limitless
Some that I have failed to recognize
Some of my dreams have gone unrecognized
For all these kids and all this noise and all that time spent with the boys
Despite the chaos and distractions in life, I have learned something valuable
I don’t know why it comes as a surprise
It's strange to me that my realization is unexpected
That I don’t want to die on the road
I've come to the realization that I don't want to die while away from home
Some place that is not my home
I don't want to perish in an unfamiliar place
I’ve been wrong before but this I know, that I don’t want to die on the road
Although I've made mistakes in the past, I'm certain of this
If rock n’ roll can save your soul
To some, music can be a source of salvation
It’s also gonna take its toll
However, the music industry can also be very taxing
You get the things you give
You reap what you sow
And I gave this a lot
I've devoted a significant amount of effort to this career
Buddy Holly, Stevie Ray, Harry Chapin, Jim Croce but not my name today
I may not be as famous as these musicians, but I'm still grateful for my success
If it’s something you don’t want to hear, then keep your hands upon your ears
If the truth is something you don't want to hear, it's important to have awareness of that fact
Remember though that there will come a time
We must keep in mind that one day our time will come to an end
When all you’ve said is all you’ll say, you might as well kill me today
If I'm no longer able to create or achieve my goals, life might as well be over
If this is all I’m gonna leave behind
If this is all I accomplish in life, I want it to be meaningful
See I don’t want to die on the road
Once again, I've come to the realization that I don't want to pass away while traveling
Some place I don’t even know
I don't want to die in an unknown place
I’ve been wrong before but this I know, that I don’t want to die
My past mistakes don't take away from the certainty I have about this decision
No I don’t want to die on the road
I want to pass away peacefully in a place that feels like home
Lyrics © Jack Roetter Music
Written by: Stephen Kellogg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sandra Ejnefjäll
Great song! Love it!
Adam J Duncan
I do.