On The Beach
Stephen Stills & Neil Young Lyrics
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I hope it don't turn away
The world is turnin'
I hope it don't turn away
All my pictures are fallin'
From the wall where I placed them yesterday
World is turnin'
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
Though my problems are meaningless, that don't make them go away
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
I went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
I went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
Now I'm livin' out here on the beach, but those seagulls are still out of reach
Went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
Get out of town, think I'll get out of town
Get out of town, think I'll get out of town
I head for the sticks with my bus and friends
I follow the road, though I don't know where it ends
Get out of town, get out of town, think I'll get out of town
'Cause the world is turnin'
I don't want to see it turn away
The lyrics to "On the Beach" by Stephen Stills and Neil Young explore themes of disillusionment, isolation, and the longing for escape. The song begins with the repeated line, "World is turnin', I hope it don't turn away," which reflects a sense of anxiety about the changing world and the fear of being left behind. This line can be interpreted as a plea to hold on to hope and not let the world become detached or indifferent to one's struggles.
The next verse addresses the singer's sense of detachment and the fading importance of personal belongings. The line, "All my pictures are fallin' from the wall where I placed them yesterday," suggests a loss of stability and the transient nature of material possessions. The repetition of the line, "I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day," expresses a yearning for connection, but an inability to engage with others due to personal issues or emotional exhaustion. The singer acknowledges that their problems may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but they still weigh heavily on their mind.
The third verse depicts a failed radio interview, symbolizing a sense of isolation and being misunderstood. The line, "I ended up alone at the microphone," reflects the singer's feeling of being unheard or unnoticed amidst the noise and demands of life. The mention of the beach and the unreachable seagulls further adds to the theme of isolation and longing. The final verse conveys the singer's decision to escape and leave town, possibly in search of solitude or a fresh start. The repeating line, "Because the world is turnin', I don't want to see it turn away," emphasizes the urgency and desire to preserve what is left of the world before it slips away.
Overall, "On the Beach" captures a sense of disillusionment, vulnerability, and the yearning for connection amidst a changing world. It is a poignant expression of the human struggle to find meaning and purpose while navigating personal hardships and societal uncertainties.
Line by Line Meaning
World is turnin'
The state of the world is constantly changing
I hope it don't turn away
I hope that the world doesn't ignore or abandon me
All my pictures are fallin'
The aspects of my life that I hold dear are deteriorating
From the wall where I placed them yesterday
From the safe and familiar place where I originally positioned them
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day
I long for the support and camaraderie of others, but I struggle to interact with them on a regular basis
Though my problems are meaningless, that don't make them go away
Even though my issues may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, they still persist and affect me
I went to the radio interview, but I ended up alone at the microphone
I attended an interview with high expectations, but ultimately found myself isolated and unheard
Now I'm livin' out here on the beach, but those seagulls are still out of reach
Currently, I reside in a peaceful environment, yet I am still unable to fully experience contentment or success
Get out of town, think I'll get out of town
I feel compelled to escape my current surroundings
I head for the sticks with my bus and friends
I venture towards remote and secluded areas accompanied by my close companions
I follow the road, though I don't know where it ends
I continue my journey, uncertain of its ultimate destination
'Cause the world is turnin'
Because the world is constantly changing
I don't want to see it turn away
I don't want to witness the world disregarding or abandoning me
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind