One of the biggest bands of the 2-Tone movement, The Beat are known the wor… Read Full Bio ↴One of the biggest bands of the 2-Tone movement, The Beat are known the world over for a string of hit singles in the 80’s including "Mirror in the Bathroom", "Too Nice To Talk To", "Can't Get Used To Losing You", "Hands off She's Mine" and "Best Friend". Fronted by vocalist Ranking Roger, the 2016 band also features Roger's son, Matthew Murphy aka 'Ranking Junior' on vocals with Fuzz Townshend on drums, Andy Pearson and Steve Harper on guitars. They are a band at the top of their game with a dynamic and relentlessly energetic live show and now their loyal fans are finally being treated to a brand new studio album with the first single “Walking on the Wrong Side” out this Summer. Their fourth and new studio album “Bounce” - the first in over 30 years – was released in October 2016. The new album was written by Ranking Roger and Mick Lister. It was Produced by Mick Lister (Bad Company, Amy Winehouse, Nina Jayne) and mixed by Tim Hamill, Mick Lister & Dennis Bovell. The album was mastered at Abbey Road Studios and released by independent label DMF Records. The Beat formed in Birmingham in 1978, part of the West Midlands ska revival scene that also produced The Specials and The Selecter, whilst London saw the formation of Madness and The Bodysnatchers. Their first single was an arresting version of Smokey Robinson’s “Tears Of A Clown” Released in a one-off deal on Jerry Dammers’ Chrysalis-backed 2-Tone label, the single stormed into the Top 10 in December 1979, and saw the band appear twice on Top Of The Pops. Backed by Arista, the band formed their own label Go-Feet Records. The first release in February 1980 was another Top 10 hit, “Hands Off… She’s Mine”, and was the first of twelve chart singles for the band on Go-Feet.

On The Road
The Beat feat. Ranking Roger Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yea
On this road I walk alone
It's the only path I've ever known
Through the darkness may I roam
Through the pain I am made strong
I must be kidding myself to think there's no hell
Waiting on the other side
So I close my eyes

As I walk this lonely road
Cigarette smoke floats in the night sky
I tell you that I'm fine, I tell another lie
I read your word today, then struggled through another prayer
You said you're always here, why are you never there
My situations changed, you know all the thoughts I'm thinkin'
The root of all my pain, is caused by all my drinkin'
Blame it on the bottle, then grab another case
This world is goin' crazy, why won't you just show your face
Put my trust in you, I've done a million times
My therapeutic tool, is a book of simple rhymes
So tell me that I'm wrong, I need to find the light
Why is it that this songs the only thing gettin' through the night
I know you died on the cross to pay for my sins
It's time to focus on the topic, microscopic lens
I'm knockin' on the pearly gates above and let me in
You said I need more time, but all my time is spent
On this road I walk alone
It's the only path I've ever known
Through the darkness may I roam
Through the pain I am made strong
I must be kidding myself to think there's no hell
Waiting on the other side
So I close my eyes
As I walk this lonely road
Try to control your thoughts, then they paint the bleakest picture
I've never read the scriptures by all means I am a sinner
And yea I see the hatred, it feels like all is lost
I'm livin' for that paper, but really what's the cost
My soul is feelin' empty, I know that God is love
I'm searchin' for some guidance, not everybody does
So should I just forget 'em, and walk this lonely path
Wish I could take away, all my sins from the past
Yea I'm sorry
Sorry that no matter how hard that I try
I never seem to see this world like through your eyes
I'm sorry
Sorry that no matter how bad that I crash
I never come back to walk with you on that path
I'm sorry
Sorry that no matter how hard that I try
I never seem to see this world like through your eyes
I'm sorry
Sorry that no matter how bad that I crash
I never come back to walk with you on that path
I'm sorry
On this road I walk alone
It's the only path I've ever known
Through the darkness may I roam
Through the pain I am made strong
I must be kidding myself to think there's no hell
Waiting on the other side

So I close my eyes
As I walk this lonely road

Overall Meaning

The song "On The Road" by The Beat feat. Ranking Roger talks about the struggles of walking alone on the path of life. The singer admits to being a sinner and feeling lost despite trying to seek guidance from God. He talks about the pain and darkness that he encounters on this path, but also acknowledges that it has made him stronger. He questions why God is never there when he needs Him, and talks about his struggles with addiction and the consequences it has brought upon him.

The lyrics suggest that the singer is dealing with a lot of inner turmoil and is trying to find solace through his faith. He acknowledges that he has made mistakes and is willing to take responsibility for them. The words "I'm sorry" are repeated throughout the song, indicating the singer's remorse for his actions. The chorus, "On this road I walk alone, it's the only path I've ever known, through the darkness may I roam, through the pain I am made strong," emphasizes the idea that the difficult times can make a person stronger if they are willing to persevere.

Line by Line Meaning

Yea
An expression of affirmation

On this road I walk alone
I am navigating my life's journey all by myself

It's the only path I've ever known
This road, that I'm on, is the only way I've ever experienced life

Through the darkness may I roam
As I wander through the difficulties of life, may I have the courage to keep moving forward

Through the pain I am made strong
All the hardship and suffering I've endured have made me more resilient

I must be kidding myself to think there's no hell
If I refuse to recognize the challenges that exist in life, I'm deluding myself

Waiting on the other side
This statement refers to the eventuality of encountering difficulty in life

So I close my eyes
I take a moment to escape the world and clear my head

As I walk this lonely road
As I journey alone, I feel disconnected from the world

Cigarette smoke floats in the night sky
This line provides imagery for the somber feeling of isolation

I tell you that I'm fine, I tell another lie
I hide my struggles and pretend everything is okay

I read your word today, then struggled through another prayer
I've attempted to seek guidance, but it's not enough to alleviate my burden

You said you're always here, why are you never there
I feel like I'm left to face my struggles by myself despite being told that God is watching over me

My situations changed, you know all the thoughts I'm thinkin'
My circumstances have evolved, but my doubts and worries remain unaltered

The root of all my pain, is caused by all my drinkin'
I recognize that my struggles are largely due to my self-destructive habits

Blame it on the bottle, then grab another case
I am aware of my harmful habits, but still struggle to overcome them

This world is goin' crazy, why won't you just show your face
I struggle to comprehend hardships in the world and deeply desire divine intervention

Put my trust in you, I've done a million times
Despite my doubts and struggles, I still have faith in God

My therapeutic tool, is a book of simple rhymes
This song serves as an outlet for my innermost thoughts and feelings

So tell me that I'm wrong, I need to find the light
I need guidance to alleviate my struggles and search for meaning

Why is it that this songs the only thing gettin' through the night
This song serves as a source of comfort and refuge during dark times

I know you died on the cross to pay for my sins
I recognize the sacrifice of Jesus and the concept of atonement for my sins

It's time to focus on the topic, microscopic lens
I need to take a closer look and examine my life through a more critical lens

I'm knockin' on the pearly gates above and let me in
This is a metaphor for seeking entry into heaven following death

You said I need more time, but all my time is spent
I am impatient and feel like my struggles require immediate answers

Try to control your thoughts, then they paint the bleakest picture
My mind gravitates towards negativity and pessimism

I've never read the scriptures by all means I am a sinner
Despite my faith, I've never delved deeply into religious texts and believe I am flawed

And yea I see the hatred, it feels like all is lost
Amidst the horrible events happening around the world, it's difficult to stay optimistic

I'm livin' for that paper, but really what's the cost
I prioritize accumulating wealth, but question if it ultimately makes me happy or fulfilled

My soul is feelin' empty, I know that God is love
Despite my struggles, I have faith in God and believe in his love

I'm searchin' for some guidance, not everybody does
I am on a journey to find answers, and not everyone is on the same page

So should I just forget 'em, and walk this lonely path
I wonder if I should abandon my beliefs and navigate my journey alone

Wish I could take away, all my sins from the past
I regret my past mistakes and wish I could undo them

Sorry that no matter how hard that I try
I apologize for my shortcomings, despite my best efforts to be better

I never seem to see this world like through your eyes
I struggle to comprehend the world the way God does

Sorry that no matter how bad that I crash
I apologize for my failures and propensity to make mistakes

I never come back to walk with you on that path
Despite my faith, I am continuously struggling to fully embrace it