Bye Bye Bye
The First National Band Lyrics
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And fifty-four miles of dirt
There was a cold steel gleam
In the night
I was trucking along
Down interstate five
Looking for the turn
When something snapped
I said bye bye bye
Oh, I finally took a stand
Then for the very first time
I felt like a man
So I headed on down to Mexico
I was never going back to work
Yes I had enough cash
To last me there for years
And then I cabled my folks
I said call my boss
And you can tell him
Where I left the truck
And then I went out and stocked up
On enchiladas and beer
I said bye bye bye
Whoah I finally took a stand
Then for the very first time in my life
I felt like a man, like a man man man man
Well now that all happened back in 1961
And I never went back to work
And then in 1964 I started living
Off the land
And the people back home
Still talk about me
Just running off without a word
But me and the beer
And the Mexican sunshine
We don't give a damn
Whoah no no no
I said bye bye bye
Whoah I finally took a stand
Now for the very first time
I feel like a man, a free man
The First National Band's song Bye Bye Bye tells the story of a man who decides to take control of his life and leave behind the monotony of his job on the road. The lyrics begin with the man driving down the interstate, searching for his turn, feeling the weight of the road and the looming distance ahead of him. Suddenly, something snaps within him and he changes his mind, ultimately saying "bye bye bye." This decision to take a stand and assert his independence is life-changing for the singer, as he finally feels like a man.
The second verse reveals the singer's choice to head to Mexico, leaving behind his job and his former life for good. The money he had saved would last him for years, and he sent a message to his boss via his family letting him know where he had left the truck. The singer indulges in good food and drink, enjoying the new sense of freedom he has discovered. As the song progresses, we learn that this decision happened in 1961, and three years later, the singer began living off the land. The people back home still talk about him leaving without a word, but he doesn't care. He is a free man, and he finally feels like he is in control of his life.
Overall, this song tells a story of taking risks, seizing opportunities, and living freely. The singer's decision to leave behind his old life leads to a newfound sense of empowerment, and his journey to Mexico is a symbol of the pursuit of happiness and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
I had twenty-one miles of road to go
I had a long journey ahead of me, I had to travel 21 miles of road.
And fifty-four miles of dirt
In addition to the long journey, I had to travel 54 miles of dirt road which made the journey even more difficult.
There was a cold steel gleam
It was a dark and cold night and I could see the shiny surface of the truck reflecting the moonlight.
In the night
It was dark outside with the moon being the only source of light.
I was trucking along
I was driving along the road in my truck.
Down interstate five
I was driving on the Interstate 5 which is a major highway in the United States.
Looking for the turn
I was searching for the right way to go.
When something snapped
Suddenly something broke or snapped, maybe within me or outside the truck, which changed everything.
And I suddenly changed my mind
As a result of what happened, I changed my plans and made a different decision.
I said bye bye bye
I said goodbye more than once, maybe to the old life, the old job, or anything else that wasn't good for me anymore.
Oh, I finally took a stand
I finally made a decision and took control of my life.
Then for the very first time
Before that moment, I had never experienced what was happening to me.
I felt like a man
I felt confident, strong, and in charge of my own destiny.
So I headed on down to Mexico
I made my way to Mexico, perhaps to start a new life or to escape the old one.
I was never going back to work
I decided I was not going to work anymore and wanted to find a different way to live.
Yes I had enough cash
I had enough money to make it to my destination and support myself for a while.
To last me there for years
I had enough money to survive for a long time without having to work.
And then I cabled my folks
I sent a telegram to my family to let them know I was alright.
I said call my boss
I asked my family to contact my boss and explain my situation to him.
And you can tell him
I wanted my family to give my boss a message from me.
Where I left the truck
I left the truck behind and wanted my boss to know where it was.
And then I went out and stocked up
I went and bought everything I needed to live comfortably in Mexico.
On enchiladas and beer
I bought some local Mexican food and beer to enjoy my new life in Mexico.
Whoah I finally took a stand
I was proud of the decision I made and finally stood up for myself.
Then for the very first time in my life
Something good happened to me for the first time in my life.
I felt like a man, like a man man man man
The feeling of being in control and living my life on my terms was empowering.
Well now that all happened back in 1961
This happened a long time ago, specifically in the year 1961.
And I never went back to work
I never returned to my old job.
And then in 1964 I started living
Three years later in 1964, I started living my life the way I wanted to.
Off the land
I started to live off the land and became self-sufficient.
And the people back home
The people back in the place where I used to live.
Still talk about me
People still remember me and what I did.
Just running off without a word
People think I just abandoned my old life without telling anyone.
But me and the beer
But what matters is me and my happiness.
And the Mexican sunshine
And the life I have now in Mexico, enjoying the sunshine.
We don't give a damn
I don't care what others think as I am happy with my life now.
Whoah no no no
An expression of rejection towards something or someone.
Now for the very first time
This time it is about something different than what happened before.
I feel like a man
I feel confident and in control again, just like before.
A free man
I am free to do whatever I want and live the way I choose.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL NESMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind