Formed in 1991 by working class music manager Jimmy Rabitte, The Commitments performes a unique blend of soul music, described by trumpeter Joey "The Lips" Fagan as "Dublin soul." Featuring Deco Cuffe on lead vocals, Imelda Quirke, Natalie Murphy and Bernie McGloughlin as female backing vocalists, Outspan Foster on lead guitar, Dean Fay on bass, Steven Clifford on keys, Derek Scully and Joey "The Lips" Fagan on trumpet and Billy Mooney on drums, The Commitments were successful in local venues in North Dublin. During the final months of their original run, Mooney left the band and was replaced by former security guard Micko Wallace. The group disbanded in late 1991 after a hectic club show – at which the band were to be joined by Wilson Pickett – and due to internal affairs, just minutes before the band were offered a record deal.
In 2010, the band reformed and are set to perform a number of dates.
The movie was also the breakthrough for singer Andrew Strong.
Destination Anywhere
The Commitments Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want a ticket, just for one
He said
Well, if you insist
But where you wanna go, a miss?
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
This old world, ain't got no back door
He looked at me with a funny face and said
Are you sure you wanna go just anyplace?
I said, If you ever loved someone, the way I loved that man
Surely Mr. ticket agent, you could understand
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
You see my baby don't want me no more
This old world ain't got no back door
'Cause if it did, it would swing both ways
And we'd go on back to happy yesterdays
When he loved me tenderly
And all he needed was me
As I starr through the window of the train
I thought I heard my baby call my name
But it was just the conductor saying
Which stop would you prefer?
Oh, destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
You see my baby don't want me no more
This old world, ain't got no back door
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
The Commitments' "Destination Anywhere" is a song about heartbreak and the desire to escape from the pain. The song tells the story of a woman who has been rejected by her lover and wants to leave town, unsure of where she is headed or what her future will bring. She talks to a ticket agent at a railway station and asks for a ticket to anywhere, as long as it's far from where she is now. The song expresses the feelings of loneliness and desperation more than anger and resentment.
The woman in the song seems to be in search of a new start and a chance to move on from her past. The lyrics suggest that she is willing to go anywhere to escape her pain, and that she is open to whatever the future holds. The ticket agent expresses his surprise and confusion over her request, but she makes it clear that she is looking for a way out of her current situation.
The song's catchy melody and upbeat tempo contrast with the sadness of the lyrics. The driving rhythm and soulful vocals create a sense of urgency and excitement, as if the woman is about to embark on a new adventure. The lyrics and melody combine to create a powerful emotional experience that captures the pain and hopefulness of heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Said to the man at the railroad station
The singer approaches a ticket agent at a train station.
I want a ticket, just for one
The singer requests a single ticket.
He said
The ticket agent responds.
Well, if you insist
The ticket agent agrees to sell the artist a ticket.
But where you wanna go, a miss?
The ticket agent asks where the artist wants to go.
Destination anywhere
The singer replies that they have no specific destination in mind.
East or west, I don't care
The singer does not care about the direction.
You see my baby don't want me no more
The artist explains that they no longer have a partner.
This old world, ain't got no back door
The artist feels trapped and sees no way out.
He looked at me with a funny face and said
The ticket agent reacts to the artist's unconventional request.
Are you sure you wanna go just anyplace?
The ticket agent asks for clarification.
I said, If you ever loved someone, the way I loved that man
The artist explains the reason for their aimlessness.
Surely Mr. ticket agent, you could understand
The singer appeals to the ticket agent's empathy.
Cause if it did, it would swing both ways
The singer fantasizes about a world with more options.
And we'd go on back to happy yesterdays
The singer yearns for a past when things were better.
When he loved me tenderly
The artist reminisces about a past partner's affection.
And all he needed was me
The artist remembers feeling important and needed by their partner.
As I starr through the window of the train
The singer gazes out the train window.
I thought I heard my baby call my name
The singer imagines hearing their ex-partner's voice.
But it was just the conductor saying
The artist's daydream is interrupted by reality.
Which stop would you prefer?
The conductor asks the artist which stop they want to get off at.
Oh, destination anywhere
The artist reaffirms their lack of a specific destination.
East or west, I don't care
The singer reiterates that they have no preference for direction or location.
Destination anywhere
The artist repeats their aimless mindset.
East or west, I don't care
The singer restates their indifference for direction.
Destination anywhere
The singer concludes the song by repeating their central desire to go anywhere.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sofia B
Said to the man at the railroad station
"I want a ticket, just for one"
He said, "Well, if you insist
Where you wanna go, Miss?"
Oh, destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
You see my baby don't love me no more
This old world ain't got no back door
He looked at me with a funny face and said
"Are you sure you wanna go just anyplace?"
I said, "If you ever loved someone, the way I loved that man
Surely mister ticket agent, you should understand"
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
You see my baby don't want me no more
This old world ain't got no back door
'Cause every day, it would swing both ways
And we'd go on back to happy yesterdays
When I loved him tenderly
And all he needed was me
As I stepped through the window of the train
I thought, I heard my baby call my name
But it was just the conductor saying
"Which stop would you prefer?"
Oh, destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
You see my baby don't love me no more
And this old world ain't got no back door
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
Destination, destination anywhere
East or west, I just don't care
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
ALBERTO VASQUEZ
Said to the man at the railroad station
"I want a ticket, just for one"
He said, "Well, if you insist
Where you wanna go, Miss?"
Oh, destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
You see my baby don't love me no more
This old world ain't got no back door
He looked at me with a funny face and said
"Are you sure you wanna go just anyplace?"
I said, "If you ever loved someone, the way I loved that man
Surely mister ticket agent, you should understand"
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
You see my baby don't want me no more
This old world ain't got no back door
'Cause every day, it would swing both ways
And we'd go on back to happy yesterdays
When I loved him tenderly
And all he needed was me
As I stepped through the window of the train
I thought, I heard my baby call my name
But it was just the conductor saying
"Which stop would you prefer?"
Oh, destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
You see my baby don't love me no more
And this old world ain't got no back door
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
Destination, destination anywhere
East or west, I just don't care
Destination anywhere
East or west, I don't care
Vinnie Moran
RIP, Alan Parker. Thanks for making this little beauty of a movie. Heaven is lucky to have you!
bxbornbrucefan
Just tonight I learned of his passing. 😭 Our loss is heaven's gain 🙏 RIP Sir Parker and thank you for all your creativity ❤️
Ted Crilly
A movie that I have seen for over 15 years now as im not 26 and now I appreciate it for its true worth and good spirit message that is missing from so many movies today. It had character and an ending that left one thinking What if?
Thanks for the memories :)
MARYSE PRADET
+Ted Crilly well it is just one of the best movie i have seen , by the way I will watch it again this week end !
Bull Cedar
+Ted Crilly Most bands either explode or implode!
Beware the Eye
I remember watching this movie with my mother when I was 6 or 7. It was one of the first musical movies I ever watched. Just loved it and the remakes to the music were nicely done.
U.J, Kamar
Great rendition of this little-known Marvelettes song, with great lyrics from the pen of Ashford & Simpson. Love both versions, as a matter of fact, I love everything by the Commitments, including the movie. Please check out the Marvelettes version as well, which they released in 1968 after "My Baby Must Be A Magician" and "Here I Am Baby."
Elena Giora
Ps
marknorthwest93
I've always loved the original Marvelettes version, and actually heard it played on the radio here in Canada, back in the day. The Commitments had a hard act to follow, but offer top enough new twists to make their versions sparkle!
Scott Morrison
As an experienced musician, I can say everything that happens in that movie happens to every musician in real life. I was so true to the facts.