The Long Way
The Bottle Rockets Lyrics
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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
The Bottle Rockets’ song “The Long Way” is a reflection on the unpredictability and unexpected beauty of life’s twists and turns. The first verse recounts a chance encounter with a “child of the Cosmos” in Kanab, who offers guidance and answers to the singer’s questions. However, when he tries to take a shortcut through Utah, he finds that it is not a shortcut at all and ultimately brings him through a mountain and out of a cliff. In this way, the song uses the concept of “the long way” as a metaphor for the unpredictable path that life often takes, and the ways in which this winding path can offer unexpected beauty and insight.
The second verse describes a journey through the American West, where the singer experiences fog, snow, and other obstacles, but ultimately arrives safely at his destination. Through these experiences, the song suggests that even when we face unexpected obstacles and challenges, we can find ways to make the most of the journey and enjoy the ride.
The refrain of the song reinforces this message, emphasizing that missteps and wrong turns can actually lead to “way cooler spaces” and that we can learn to embrace the twists and turns of life. In this way, “The Long Way” stands as a hopeful and optimistic ode to the unpredictability, diversity, and beauty of the journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Met a child of the Cosmos
Encountered someone connected to the universe
On the streets of Kanab
On the roads of a small town
He pointed the way and
Provided directions and
Answered the questions I had
Solved the doubts I possessed
But a short cut through Utah
However, a faster way via Utah
Doesn't really exist
Is actually non-existent
It'll send you through a mountain
It involves travelling through a mountain
And out a hole in a cliff
And exiting through a cavern in a cliff
Left Flagstaff in the morning
Departed from Flagstaff early in the day
To make Salt Lake by night
To reach Salt Lake City by nightfall
Driving across the moon
Traversing the landscape illuminated by the moon
Hoping that it's right
Wishing the directions are accurate
Went into a fog
Entered a foggy area
Near the state line
Close to the boundary between two regions
But didn't care much
But didn't mind much
About losing time
About wasting time
It's true a wrong turn
It is accurate that taking a wrong path
Can put you in a wrong place
Could lead you to an undesirable destination
But it could lead to
However, it could result in
A way cooler space
An intriguing or fashionable location
You'll never have a bad trip
You'll never experience an unpleasant journey
If you accept
If you approve
The twists and the turns
The curves and the deviations
That you don't expect
That come as a surprise
On Highway 80
On freeway 80
Just out of the hills
Just out of the mountains
Hit something slick
Encountered something slippery
About took a spill
Nearly fell off
On the plateau
On the elevated land
In snow axle deep
In deep snow up to the vehicle's axle
Still got to Rock Springs
Nevertheless made it to Rock Springs
In time for some sleep
Early enough to get some rest
Been a mile high
Have been at an altitude of a mile or more
For nearly a week
For about a week
But it'll wear off
But it will dissipate
Under twelve hundred feet
At an altitude below twelve hundred feet
Coming down soon
Descending shortly
Traveling I-35
Heading down Interstate 35
Playing songs and
Listening to music and
Glad to be alive
Happy to be living
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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