Walkin'
The J.J. Johnson Quintet Lyrics

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Tonight's the night
I swore I'd return with ecstasy
With fortune and fame
'Cause I'd made myself a name
And they'd be so proud of me
Tonight they're waiting at the airport
I'm not on the plane

'Cause I'm walking back
Empty hearted
To the place
Where it all started
Never been so long alone
I wanna go home

Could it be
My baby still has faith in me
Could it be true
After all she's been through
She's still waiting for me
For since I've gone I haven't heard
One encouraging word

'Cause I'm walking back
Empty hearted
To the place
Where it all started
Never been so long alone
I wanna go home

Oh I've never been so long alone
I wanna go home

No I never never been so long alone
I wanna go home

No I never never been so long alone

Overall Meaning

The J.J. Johnson Quintet's song "Walkin'" tells the story of a musician who returns home after a long absence, expecting to be greeted with excitement and admiration, only to find that his hopes for success have not panned out. He wonders if his loved ones still have faith in him, and ponders the possibility of returning to a simpler life.

In the first verse, the singer expresses his ambition to make it big in the music industry, imagining the warm reception he will receive upon his return. However, he is forced to face the reality that his dreams have not come true - he is not on the plane to his destination, but instead walking back to where it all began.

Throughout the song, the singer reflects on the loneliness he has faced throughout his journey and how he longs to return to the comfort of home. He wonders if his loved ones have given up on him, as he has received no encouragement since leaving. Despite this, he is filled with hope that his baby still believes in him and is waiting for his return.

The chorus serves as a repeating refrain, emphasizing the singer's desire to return home and his feelings of emptiness and loneliness. The final lines of the song highlight the depth of the singer's longing for home, as he repeats the phrase "No, I never never been so long alone."

Overall, "Walkin'" tells a poignant story of the costs and uncertainties of pursuing a dream, and the comfort and support that can be found in returning to where one began.

Line by Line Meaning

Tonight's the night
This is the night that I have been waiting for

I swore I'd return with ecstasy
I promised myself that I would come back with great happiness and excitement

With fortune and fame
I expected to have good luck and be famous

'Cause I'd made myself a name
Because I already had a reputation for myself

And they'd be so proud of me
And the people who knew me would be impressed by my success

Tonight they're waiting at the airport
Those people are waiting for me at the airport tonight

I'm not on the plane
But I am not on the plane to meet them there

'Cause I'm walking back
Because I am walking back instead

Empty hearted
With a feeling of disappointment and sadness

To the place
To the specific location

Where it all started
Where my journey or story began