Long Way
The Bottle Rockets Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Met a child of the Cosmos
On the streets of Kanab
He pointed the way and
Answered the questions I had
But a short cut through Utah
Doesn't really exist
It'll send you through a mountain
And out a hole in a cliff

Left Flagstaff in the morning
To make Salt Lake by night
Driving across the moon
Hoping that it's right
Went into a fog
Near the state line
But didn't care much
About losing time

It's true a wrong turn
Can put you in a wrong place
But it could lead to
A way cooler space
You'll never have a bad trip
If you accept
The twists and the turns
That you don't expect

On Highway 80
Just out of the hills
Hit something slick
About took a spill
On the plateau
In snow axle deep
Still got to Rock Springs
In time for some sleep

Been a mile high
For nearly a week
But it'll wear off
Under twelve hundred feet
Coming down soon
Traveling I-35
Playing songs and
Glad to be alive

It's true a wrong turn
Can put you in a wrong place
But it could lead to
A way cooler space
You'll never have a bad trip
If you accept




The twists and the turns
That you don't expect

Overall Meaning

The Bottle Rockets's song Long Way tells the story of a road trip through the Western United States, highlighting the unexpected twists and turns that can occur during such an adventure. The lyrics start by describing an encounter with someone who identifies as a "child of the Cosmos" in Kanab, Utah, who provides guidance and answers to the questions the singer has. However, the singer soon realizes that the short cut through Utah that was recommended does not actually exist and will lead them through a mountain and out a hole in a cliff. Despite this setback, they carry on with their journey, spending a night in Salt Lake City and driving through the mountains, encountering a fog near the state line. However, the singer emphasizes that losing time isn't really a significant concern when you're on the road looking for adventure.


Line by Line Meaning

Met a child of the Cosmos
Encountered a person with a spiritual view of the universe.


On the streets of Kanab
In the city of Kanab.


He pointed the way and
He gave directions that helped.


Answered the questions I had
Provided helpful answers to my questions.


But a short cut through Utah
Although a quicker way to travel through the state of Utah,


Doesn't really exist
It is a myth or unattainable.


It'll send you through a mountain
If attempted, it would route you through a mountain landscape.


And out a hole in a cliff
Instead of continuing on a road, this path would take you through a hole in a cliff.


Left Flagstaff in the morning
Started the travel journey in Flagstaff city during the morning.


To make Salt Lake by night
Planning to reach Salt Lake City by nighttime.


Driving across the moon
Traveling on a road with a view of the moon.


Hoping that it's right
Having a positive outlook about the journey.


Went into a fog
Entered a foggy area.


Near the state line
Close to the border of states.


But didn't care much
Was unconcerned about losing valuable travel time.


About losing time
Unbothered about experiencing any travel delays.


It's true a wrong turn
It's factual that taking a wrong route,


Can put you in a wrong place
Might lead to arriving at the incorrect destination.


But it could lead to
However, on the bright side,


A way cooler space
Could take you to an amazing or more exciting location.


You'll never have a bad trip
You won't have a terrible travel experience.


If you accept
If you embrace,


The twists and the turns
The unexpected and challenging parts of the journey.


That you don't expect
Unexpected experiences on the road.


On Highway 80
On the eightieth highway.


Just out of the hills
Recent exit from a hilly area.


Hit something slick
Drove over a slippery substance.


About took a spill
Almost got into an accident because of the slippery substance.


On the plateau
In a high flatland surface.


In snow axle deep
In snow that reaches the axle of the vehicle.


Still got to Rock Springs
Still managed to get to Rock Springs city.


In time for some sleep
Got to the destination early enough to rest.


Been a mile high
Traveling at an altitude of one mile above sea level.


For nearly a week
For almost seven days.


But it'll wear off
But it will eventually return to a lower altitude.


Under twelve hundred feet
Below 1200 feet above sea level.


Coming down soon
Descending from the high altitude soon.


Traveling I-35
Traveling on Interstate-35 highway.


Playing songs and
Listening to music and


Glad to be alive
Happy to be alive and making progress on the journey.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRIAN HENNEMAN, MARK ORTMANN

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
Comments from YouTube:

maddog20400

Wow! For a live performance, this just sounds great.

bassmanrick

Great band. I saw them 8 years ago in a small bar in Iowa. Very enjoyable.

432F01

These cats groove and rave!

soulfulofblues

... I hope to see you in Germany soon.

More Versions