The Chicago-born singer-songwriter, was discovered by Kris Kristofferson. He collaborated with close friend John Prine throughout his career. His superb guitar ability (honed at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music) and creative songwriting ability led him to success in the 1970s folk scene. Often funny, sometimes heartbreaking, always unpredictable, Steve Goodman was the consummate performer whether in a small Chicago venue, Austin City Limits, or opening for Steve Martin (and often stealing the show!). Steve is probably best known for his song "City of New Orleans", which was later covered by Arlo Guthrie among others. He has also been covered by Jimmy Buffett and many others. Steve was the ultimate suffering Chicago Cub fan, writing the songs "Go, Cubs, Go" and the unfortunately very true "A Dying Cub Fans Last Request".
Steve's life was cut short in 1984 by leukemia, but fortunately an extensive catalog remains, including the recently released, "Live at the Earl" as well as the DVD "Steve Goodman Live at Austin City Limits and More."
Can't Go Back
Steve Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes there must be a little joy
And when the woman wants the good, good lovin'
She will separate the men from the boys
And men you know it's the same for us
All around the world
Once you've been in love with the
Good, good woman, it sure is hard to go
Now when I was just a little boy
My Poppa said these words to me
Son, you better watch your step when
You go lookin' for the female company
Don't be fooled when they make eyes at you
And they all look the same
For the woman is the one who means the business
The little girl is just playing a game
When the woman's thinking of you
Some little girl will come to break your heart
You can find the one who loves you
If you're man enough to tell them apart
And Poppa told me, when you find one
Who gives you good lovin'
Then son, don't you ever make her cry
You could search the whole world over
And never find another no matter
How hard you try
And just remember that she will only care for you
Just as much as you care for her
And once you've been in love
With the good, good woman, it sure is
Hard to go back to girls
When the woman's thinking of you
Some little girl will come to break your heart
You can find the one who loves you
If you're man enough to tell them apart
And Poppa told me, when you find one
Who gives you good lovin'
Then son, don't you ever make her cry
You could search the whole world over
And never find another no matter
How hard you try
Just remember that she will only care for you
Just as much as you care for her
And once you've been in love
With the good, good woman, it sure is
Hard to go back to girls
Yes, once you've been in love
With the good, good woman, it sure is
Hard to go back to girls
Oh once you're on the track,
then you can't look back
If she's the one then you can have some fun...
The song "Can't Go Back" by Steve Goodman is a classic country tune that tells a story about love and heartbreak. In the opening lines, the singer suggests that amidst all the troubles in the world, people still need a little joy, especially when it comes to love. He then goes on to talk about how a woman's desire for good loving separates the men from the boys. The song is essentially about how once a man has been with a good woman, it is hard for him to go back to playing games with little girls.
The singer's father is mentioned in the second verse where he advised the singer to be cautious when looking for female company. He tells him not to be fooled by the little girls who make eyes at him because they are just playing a game. The woman, on the other hand, is the one who means business. The song advises men to be man enough to tell the difference between a woman and a little girl to find the one who will love them back.
The chorus repeats this message about how once a man has experienced the love of a good woman, he cannot go back to playing games with little girls. The closing lines suggest that once a man finds the right woman, he cannot look back; he can only have some fun with her.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling in love with the wrong person and how to avoid heartbreak by choosing the right partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Now in this great big world of trouble
In this chaotic world full of various problems
Sometimes there must be a little joy
Sometimes we need to find a bit of happiness
And when the woman wants the good, good lovin'
When a woman desires affectionate love
She will separate the men from the boys
She will distinguish real men from boys
And men you know it's the same for us
And men, this applies to us as well
All around the world
This is a universal truth
Once you've been in love with the
When you have experienced the love of a
Good, good woman, it sure is hard to go
It becomes difficult to return to
Back to girls
Immature young women
Now when I was just a little boy
When I was a young child
My Poppa said these words to me
My father advised me
Son, you better watch your step when
Son, be cautious when
You go lookin' for the female company
You encounter women
Don't be fooled when they make eyes at you
Don't be deceived by their flirtatious glances
And they all look the same
They may appear identical
For the woman is the one who means the business
Mature women are serious about relationships and love
The little girl is just playing a game
Young immature women are not ready for love
When the woman's thinking of you
When a mature woman has feelings for you
Some little girl will come to break your heart
A young girl may interfere and ruin your chance at love
You can find the one who loves you
You can discover the woman who truly loves you
If you're man enough to tell them apart
If you have the maturity to distinguish between mature and immature women
And Poppa told me, when you find one
And my father instructed me, when you find a woman
Who gives you good lovin'
Who loves you affectionately
Then son, don't you ever make her cry
Then, son, don't hurt her emotionally
You could search the whole world over
You may explore the world far and wide
And never find another no matter
But cannot find another no matter
How hard you try
How much effort you put in
And just remember that she will only care for you
Remember, she will only love you
Just as much as you care for her
To the same extent as you love her
And once you've been in love
After experiencing love
With the good, good woman, it sure is
It is indeed
Hard to go back to girls
Difficult to return to young, immature women
Yes, once you've been in love
Indeed, after experiencing love
Oh once you're on the track,
When you are in pursuit of true love
then you can't look back
You cannot go back to immature love
If she's the one then you can have some fun...
If a mature woman loves you truly, you can enjoy the best of love.
Contributed by Jayden R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@F.W.Carr_86
I wonder if Steve ever met Wilson Pickett?
@ListentoFolkMusic
He did. They were on the same bill