The Leaves were an American garage band formed in California in 1963. They … Read Full Bio ↴The Leaves were an American garage band formed in California in 1963. They are best known for their version of the song "Hey Joe", which was a hit in 1966. Theirs is the earliest release of this song, which became a rock standard.

Guitarist Bobby Arlin was subsequently in The Hook, while bassist/vocalist Jim Pons also played with Frank Zappa and The Turtles.

RACE
The Leaves Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In my race, to have it all
To nail it all, I have become
A useless bag, a dead man's sack
All these things find me now
But I get myself a good night's sleep
I don't know what to do about you now
Sometimes breathing's
The hardest thing to do

I'm runnin' after you
Two souls leavin'
Ever feelin' down
Never turn around
I keep on, movin' round
Turnin' down the things you do
Would it change anything
Heavenly Saints at all
But I get myself a good night's sleep
I don't know what to do about you now
Sometimes breathin's
The hardest thing to do
Runnin' after you
Two souls leavin'
Ever feelin' down
Never turn around
Now that I know, yeah
You know that I will
Now that I know
I keep on movin', cruisin'
Sometimes breathing's
The hardest thing to do
Runnin' after you
Two souls leavin'
Ever feelin' down
Never turn around
[Sometimes breathing's (We could make it and it)
The hardest thing to do (Should be alright, cause the bad things inside)
Runnin' after you
Two souls leavin' (Now we can make it and it)

Ever feelin' down (Should be alright cause there's bad things inside)
Never turn around] x3

Overall Meaning

The Leaves's "Race" is a song that explores the pressure of racing towards success and achieving glory, only to realize that the pursuit of material wealth has left one feeling empty and unfulfilled inside. The opening lines of the song "In my race, to have it all, to nail it all, I have become a useless bag, a dead man's sack" speaks to this sense of disillusionment, as the singer realizes that despite having achieved what he thought he wanted, he has lost his sense of purpose and identity. The imagery of a "useless bag" and "dead man's sack" suggests that he feels drained and lifeless, without a sense of personal agency or vitality.

Despite this, the singer finds solace in the simple act of sleeping - "But I get myself a good night's sleep" - perhaps symbolizing the restorative power of rest and the promise of a new day. However, he is still haunted by the failure of his relationships, as he runs "after you" and feels "ever feelin' down." The repeated phrase "sometimes breathing's the hardest thing to do" captures the sense of suffocation and anxiety that comes with living in a competitive society, where success is often measured by external markers rather than internal values. Ultimately, the song suggests that material success may not provide lasting fulfillment or happiness, and that the truest form of success may lie in cultivating and cherishing relationships with others.

Line by Line Meaning

In my race, to have it all
By striving for everything, I have lost sight of myself in the pursuit of materialistic success.

To nail it all, I have become
I have sacrificed my true self for the sake of worldly achievements.

A useless bag, a dead man's sack
I have turned into an empty vessel, devoid of emotions and purpose, like a lifeless bag.

All these things find me now
Despite my pursuit of success, the very things I desire have found me, leaving me unfulfilled.

But I get myself a good night's sleep
I try to find solace in sleep, but my problems still linger when I wake.

I don't know what to do about you now
I am unsure how to handle my feelings towards someone or something.

Sometimes breathing's The hardest thing to do
At times, taking a breath and facing reality feels like an impossible task.

I'm runnin' after you
I am chasing after someone or something I desire, even if it is to my own detriment.

Two souls leavin'
Two individuals or parts of myself are drifting apart, leaving me feeling incomplete.

Ever feelin' down
I constantly feel low and unfulfilled despite external success.

Never turn around
I refuse to reflect on my past choices or consider changing my ways.

I keep on, movin' round
I continue to move aimlessly, failing to find direction or satisfaction.

Turnin' down the things you do
I reject certain opportunities or experiences that may bring me happiness because they do not align with my current path.

Would it change anything Heavenly Saints at all
Even if a divine intervention were to occur, it may not impact or improve my current situation.

Now that I know, yeah You know that I will Now that I know
Now that I am aware of my mistakes and their consequences, I am determined to change my ways and seek true fulfillment.

I keep on movin', cruisin'
I continue to move forward, but with a newfound sense of purpose and direction.

[Sometimes breathing's (We could make it and it) The hardest thing to do (Should be alright, cause the bad things inside)
At times, facing reality and acknowledging one's flaws is painful, but it is necessary for growth and progress.

Runnin' after you
I am chasing after someone or something I desire, even if it is to my own detriment.

Two souls leavin' (Now we can make it and it) Ever feelin' down (Should be alright cause there's bad things inside) Never turn around
By embracing change and facing our flaws, we may overcome our unfulfillment and achieve satisfaction, but only if we have the courage to confront our past and present.

Contributed by Claire C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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