Rudy
Supertramp Lyrics


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Rudy's on a train to nowhere, halfway down the line
He don't want to get there, but he needs time
He ain't sophisticated, nor well-educated
After all the hours he wasted, still he needs time
He needs time
He needs time for livin'
He needs time
For someone just to see him
He ain't had no lovin'
For no reason or rhyme
And the whole world's above him
Well it's not as though he's fat
No there's more to this than that
See, he tries to play it cool
Wouldn't be nobody fool

Rudy thought that all good things comes to those that wait
But recently he could see that it may come but too late, too late, too late

All through your life, all through the years
Nobody loved, nobody cared
So dim the light, dark are your fears
Try as I might, I can't hold back the tears
How can you live without love, it's not fair?
Someone said give but I just didn't dare
I didn't dare, I didn't dare

What good advice are you waiting to hear?
Hearing's alright for them that's all there
Hearing's alright
You'd better gain control now
You'd better show 'em all now
You'd better make or break now
You'd better give and take now
You'll have to push and shove now
You'll have to find some love now
You'd better gain control now

Now he's just come out the movie
Numb of all the pain,




Sad but in a while he'll soon be
Back on his train

Overall Meaning

The song "Rudy" by Supertramp tells the story of a man named Rudy who is on a train to nowhere, halfway down the line. He feels lost and uncertain about his future. Rudy is not an educated man and has wasted many hours in his life. However, he realizes that he needs time for living and someone to care about him. He hasn't had any love in his life for no reason, and despite all the good things that may come to those who wait, it may come too late for him.


Throughout the song, the lyrics express the struggles and pain that Rudy feels living without love. He has never been cared for, loved, or shown kindness throughout his life. As the song comes to a close, Rudy is left numb and sad, but he knows that he will be back on his train in no time, still searching for a solution to his problems.


The song's message is powerful and relatable, as it highlights the importance of love, care, and compassion in our lives. It also touches on the feeling of being lost and the search for purpose, which is something many people can relate to.


Line by Line Meaning

Rudy's on a train to nowhere, halfway down the line
Rudy feels lost and unsure of where his life is heading


He don't want to get there, but he needs time
Rudy is not in a hurry to reach his destination as he needs some time for himself


He ain't sophisticated, nor well-educated
Rudy's lack of sophistication and education are evident


After all the hours he wasted, still he needs time
Despite wasting a lot of time, Rudy still needs more time to figure things out


He needs time
Rudy needs time for himself to reflect on his life


He needs time for livin'
Rudy feels that he has not really lived his life yet and needs more time for that


He needs time
Rudy needs time for someone to notice him


For someone just to see him
Rudy craves for someone to acknowledge him and care for him


He ain't had no lovin'
Rudy has never experienced love in his life


For no reason or rhyme
Rudy has not been able to find love despite trying hard


And the whole world's above him
Rudy feels that the world is against him and he is not able to match up to its standards


Well it's not as though he's fat
Rudy feels that his appearance is not the problem


No there's more to this than that
Rudy knows that there is something deeper that's troubling him


See, he tries to play it cool
Rudy puts up a facade of being cool and collected


Wouldn't be nobody fool
Rudy does not want to be taken for a fool


Rudy thought that all good things comes to those that wait
Rudy believed that if he was patient, good things would come his way


But recently he could see that it may come but too late, too late, too late
Rudy realizes that he has been too patient and might miss out on opportunities


All through your life, all through the years
Through his life, Rudy has not received any love or care


Nobody loved, nobody cared
Rudy feels neglected and alone


So dim the light, dark are your fears
Rudy's fears overshadow his life and make it difficult for him to see clearly


Try as I might, I can't hold back the tears
Rudy finds it hard to contain his emotions and breaks down in tears


How can you live without love, it's not fair?
Rudy wonders how one can live without experiencing love and feels that it's unfair


Someone said give but I just didn't dare
Although someone advised him to give love a chance, Rudy was too scared to take a leap of faith


I didn't dare, I didn't dare
Rudy regrets not being courageous enough to take chances in life


What good advice are you waiting to hear?
Rudy wonders what good advice he is waiting for that might never come


Hearing's alright for them that's all there
Although advice might be helpful, it's not necessary for everyone


You'd better gain control now
Rudy realizes that he needs to take control of his life


You'd better show 'em all now
Rudy decides to show everyone what he is made of


You'd better make or break now
Rudy knows that it's now or never and he has to make something of himself


You'd better give and take now
Rudy realizes that he needs to learn to give and take in life


You'll have to push and shove now
Rudy knows that he will have to put in a lot of effort to succeed


You'll have to find some love now
Rudy decides to actively look for love instead of waiting for it to come his way


You'd better gain control now
Rudy reiterates that he needs to take control of his life


Now he's just come out the movie
Rudy has just come out of a movie which left him feeling numb


Numb of all the pain,
The movie has made Rudy feel numb and temporarily forget his pain


Sad but in a while he'll soon be
Although he is currently feeling sad, Rudy knows that he will soon recover and move on


Back on his train
Rudy will soon be back on his journey, continuing his search for love and meaning in life




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICHARD DAVIES, ROGER HODGSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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