Desperation
Steppenwolf Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When rain drops fall and you feel low
Ah, do you ever think it's useless
Do you ever feel like letting go
Do you ever sit and do you wonder
Will the world ever change
And just how long will it take
To have it all rearranged
Tell me why these things are still the same
Tell me why no one can seem to learn from mistakes

Take my hand if you don't know where you're goin'
I'll understand, I've lost the way myself
Oh, don't take that old road it leads to nowhere
We must leave before the clock strikes twelve

It's so easy to do nothin'
When you're busy night and day
Take a step in one direction
And take a step the other way
So don't stop tryin' when you stumble
Don't give up should you fall
Keep on searchin' for the passway
That will lead you through the wall




Don't look back or you'll be left behind
Don't look back or you will never find peace of mind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Steppenwolf's "Desperation" touch on themes of hopelessness, doubt, and the desire to change the world. The opening lines address a common feeling of despair that many people experience when things don't go their way. The verses pose a series of questions that imply a sense of dissatisfaction with the way things are: "Do you ever think it's useless?" "Do you ever feel like letting go?" The singer wonders whether the world will ever change and how long it will take. These lines suggest a sense of pessimism or disillusionment, but they also hint at the possibility of positive change.


The chorus then takes a more hopeful tone, as the singer offers the listener support and guidance: "Take my hand if you don't know where you're going." The lyrics shift from the skepticism of the verses to a more motivational tone that encourages the listener to keep trying, in spite of setbacks: "Don't stop trying when you stumble, don't give up should you fall." The final lines emphasize the importance of moving forward without dwelling on the past: "Don't look back or you'll be left behind, don't look back or you will never find peace of mind." The song's uplifting message provides a counterpoint to the darker tone of the verses, suggesting that even in moments of desperation, there is always a way forward.


Line by Line Meaning

When rain drops fall and you feel low
Do you ever feel hopeless during a difficult time?


Ah, do you ever think it's useless
Do you ever wonder if your efforts are pointless?


Do you ever feel like letting go
Do you ever consider giving up?


Do you ever sit and do you wonder
Do you ever stop and think?


Will the world ever change
Will there ever be meaningful progress in the world?


And just how long will it take
Wondering how long it will be until things improve.


To have it all rearranged
Until there is a significant shift in the status quo.


Tell me why these things are still the same
Why hasn't anything changed despite our efforts?


Tell me why no one can seem to learn from mistakes
Why do people keep repeating the same mistakes instead of learning?


Take my hand if you don't know where you're goin'
Reaching out to someone even when you don't know the way.


I'll understand, I've lost the way myself
Comforting others because you've experienced the same struggle.


Oh, don't take that old road it leads to nowhere
Discouraging someone from making the same mistakes or taking the same unhelpful path.


We must leave before the clock strikes twelve
We must take action and move on before it's too late.


It's so easy to do nothin'
It's easy to become apathetic and give up.


When you're busy night and day
Even when you're constantly working, it's easy to lose focus.


Take a step in one direction
It only takes one small action to make progress.


And take a step the other way
If the first step doesn't work, try a different approach.


So don't stop tryin' when you stumble
It's important to keep going even when you make mistakes.


Don't give up should you fall
Don't let a setback prevent you from moving forward.


Keep on searchin' for the passway
Continue looking for a way to move forward despite obstacles.


That will lead you through the wall
A way to overcome a seemingly insurmountable barrier.


Don't look back or you'll be left behind
Don't dwell on past mistakes and let them hold you back.


Don't look back or you will never find peace of mind
Moving forward rather than dwelling on the past is essential for finding inner peace.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: John Kay

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@WeCantStopHere

If this song is the only thing keeping you alive tonight, please do not give up.

"I've lost the way myself"

I don't know where I'm going, but I'm trying. I hope you don't give up either.

If people can hate for no reason, I can love for no reason.

I love you all.



@NayeemMehedi

Lyric:
When rain drops fall and you feel low
Ah, do you ever think it's useless
Do you ever feel like letting go
Do you ever sit and do you wonder
Will the world ever change
And just how long will it take
To have it all rearranged

Tell me why these things are still the same
Tell me why no one can seem to learn from mistakes

Take my hand if you don't know where you're goin'
I'll understand, I've lost the way myself
Oh, don't take that old road it leads to nowhere
We must return before the clock strikes twelve

It's so easy to do nothin'
When you're busy night and day
Take a step in one direction
And take a step the other way
So don't quit tryin' when you stumble
Don't give up should you fall
Keep on searchin' for the passway
That will lead you through the wall
Don't look back or you'll be left behind
Don't look back or you will never find peace of mind

(2)
Take my hand if you don't know where you're goin'
I'll understand, I've lost the way myself
Oh, don't take that old road it leads to nowhere
We must return before the clock strikes twelve



All comments from YouTube:

@WeCantStopHere

If this song is the only thing keeping you alive tonight, please do not give up.

"I've lost the way myself"

I don't know where I'm going, but I'm trying. I hope you don't give up either.

If people can hate for no reason, I can love for no reason.

I love you all.

@skgate

Love you too man

@WeCantStopHere

@@skgate Share love brother ✌🏼

@necoarcfan4475

thanks for the comment it's really a good motivation, I love you too man

@WeCantStopHere

@@necoarcfan4475 🙏🏼

@creed22solar123

more relevant today than ever, well said, brother. All the best.

14 More Replies...

@RicOshayed1

As a young man in 1970, I listened to this after losing my girl -and wept.
Now, 53 years later, listening again and looking back on my lost youth -I weep.

@aaronrowe215

Same here man.

@ammarahmed6904

You mean your girlfriend left you or you lost your daughter?

@fntime

Then you lost your hair and became not only
fat and old but now you're bald. What's next
a 'walk on the wild side'.

More Comments

More Versions