As of 2016, Morello is a member of the supergroup Prophets of Rage. Morello was also a touring musician with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. He is also known for his acoustic solo act, The Nightwatchman, and Street Sweeper Social Club. Morello also co-founded Axis of Justice, which airs a monthly program on Pacifica Radio station KPFK (90.7 FM) in Los Angeles.
Born in Harlem, New York and raised in Libertyville, Illinois, Morello became interested in music and politics while in high school. He attended Harvard University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Committee on Degrees in Social Studies. After his previous band Lock Up disbanded, Morello met Zack de la Rocha, and the two founded Rage Against the Machine together, going on to become one of the most popular and influential rock acts of the 1990s.
He is best known for his unique and creative guitar playing style, which incorporates feedback noise, unconventional picking and tapping, as well as heavy use of guitar effects. Morello is also known for his leftist political views and activism; creating the Nightwatchman offered an outlet for his views while playing apolitical music with Audioslave. He was ranked number 40 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
Every Step That I Take
Tom Morello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through all of my days
Try to catch my breath
Out of the womb and into the flames
Searching for the neon path
I've been waiting my whole life
In the crossfire, yeah
I've been hiding my whole life
Every time I move
Every step that I take
Everywhere I look
It's right in front of my face
One foot in the shadows
One foot on the brakes
One foot towards the gallows
Where it's quiet and safe
Every step that I take
Every step that I take
Every step that I take
Step that I take
Every step that I take
Lost in the motions
Locked in the safe
Trying to forget the key
And I know where I lost it
But I'll never say
One day it was taken from me
I've been waiting my whole life
In the crossfire, yeah
I've been hiding my whole life
In the crossfire, yeah the crossfire
Every time I move
Every step that I take
Everywhere I look
It's right in front of my face
One foot in the shadows
One foot on the brakes
One foot towards the gallows
Where it's quiet and safe
Every step that I take
Every step that I take
Every step that I take
Step that I take
Every step that I take
Step that I take
Every step that I take
Every step that I take
Every step that I take
Every step that I take
Every time I move
Every step that I take
Everywhere I look
It's right in front of my face
One foot in the shadows
One foot on the brakes
Can't shake this force that
Keeps calling my name
Every step that I take
Every step that I take
Every step that I take
Every step that I take
The lyrics of Tom Morello's song "Every Step That I Take" are reflective of a person's journey through life, highlighting the struggle to find one's way in the world. The song speaks to the feeling of being lost and searching for direction, as well as the tension between wanting to take risks and needing to stay safe. From the very beginning of life ("From the time I was born"), the song describes a world filled with challenge and danger ("Out of the womb and into the flames"). The neon path represents hope and promise, but it is hard to find and not always trustworthy. The crossfire symbolizes the conflict that arises when one is caught between competing goals and desires, with others pulling a person in different directions. The song also speaks to the struggle to come to terms with loss and the difficulty of leaving painful memories behind.
The lyrics of "Every Step That I Take" are somewhat cryptic and may be interpreted in different ways. Some see the song as speaking to the human condition, while others interpret it as a political commentary or a commentary on the music industry. The lyrics are enhanced by the music, which is a blend of rock and electronic elements. The use of synthesizers and atmospheric sounds creates a sense of tension and unease, underscoring the message of the song.
Overall, "Every Step That I Take" is a poignant and powerful song that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. The lyrics are crafted with precision and care, leading the listener on a journey through the ups and downs of life. Whether seen as a personal meditation, a political statement, or a commentary on the music industry, the song resonates with the listener and provides a sense of hope in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
From the time I was born
Starting from the day I was born
Through all of my days
Throughout my entire life
Try to catch my breath
Struggling to keep up
Out of the womb and into the flames
Thrown into the difficulties of life right from the start
Searching for the neon path
Looking for a path that stands out, that is unique
I've been waiting my whole life
For a long time, I have been waiting
In the crossfire, yeah
Caught up in the middle of conflict
I've been hiding my whole life
I've been trying to avoid conflict
Every time I move
Every action I take
Everywhere I look
Everything I see
It's right in front of my face
It's clear and obvious
One foot in the shadows
Trying to stay hidden
One foot on the brakes
Hesitant, reluctant to move forward
One foot towards the gallows
Moving towards danger, or taking a risk
Where it's quiet and safe
A place of security that one desires
Lost in the motions
Going through the motions without purpose or passion
Locked in the safe
Trapped in a place of security
Trying to forget the key
Trying to forget the way out
And I know where I lost it
I know where I lost my way
But I'll never say
I'll keep it to myself, I won't share it
One day it was taken from me
One day, what I valued was taken away from me
Can't shake this force that
Unable to escape from the strong influence that
Keeps calling my name
Is constantly reminding me of my path or purpose.
Lyrics Ā© Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Tom Morello, Ethan Snoreck, John Gourley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rob
The fact that he is RATM...
AND
-Audioslave
-Prophets of Rage
-The Nightwatchman. (Solo)
Oh yea. And heās Tom Morello too!!!
What a single person has managed to achieve.
And I havenāt even begun to list the countless hours he spends expressing himself without his guitar.
You captured my ear the first time I heard āknow your enemyā in like 8th grade and since then itās been an absolute pleasure to be able to listen to your creations. In good times, in bad, and especially in my battle with Cancer. For a bar, a chord, for a lyric, and a song I am well. Thank you for those moments of serenity Mr. Morello.
Show B ATL
First, Great fuck'n song, Tom. 6'2" up there would applaud you. Saying if they don't like it, fuck em', these generations do not know great rock, they're just musically ignorant!
I saw this song was dedicated to Chris. This month marking 2 years, I'm just getting around to what sometimes I can. He gave us every breath he had, then rock'd us even harder and longer..Front'n 3 of the best groups in music history and a ballet screaming solo career. Some musicians have 2 highly successful careers,..skip 3....he had 4 back to back, side by side, simultaneously ,.... his voice was liquid gold...IRREPLACEABLE...the demand was there, without "the voice"...no tour...I bet that kinda gold can get real fuckin heavy...the machine does not run without it's oil..the enormity of it all with failure be not. Even with drains in his own happiness he continually filled others....THE .PRESSURE ..PILE ON'S...he finally said "ENOUGH"!
I'll never understand why, what he did is not more understood from others. Maybe it is because we've never seen nor heard of a highly successful 3 bands Frontman, and a solo career vocalist then taking to thought....," Damn, 30+ years, I bet flights, roads, tours get mighty long and that shit HE'S carrying gets real fuckin heavy!!"
Though, he'll always be missed.
He left a hella lot of awesome listening while seemingly in different chandras ;)
So to him... a Touche'......'
"Every word I said is what I mean"
"Everything I gave is what I need."
Rob
The fact that he is RATM...
AND
-Audioslave
-Prophets of Rage
-The Nightwatchman. (Solo)
Oh yea. And heās Tom Morello too!!!
What a single person has managed to achieve.
And I havenāt even begun to list the countless hours he spends expressing himself without his guitar.
You captured my ear the first time I heard āknow your enemyā in like 8th grade and since then itās been an absolute pleasure to be able to listen to your creations. In good times, in bad, and especially in my battle with Cancer. For a bar, a chord, for a lyric, and a song I am well. Thank you for those moments of serenity Mr. Morello.
Benjamin Myers
In my book Tom Morello can do no wrong with a guitar.
Heather Pequeno
For the most part, agreed.
Cage The Elephant
ā
Puglosipher
cool
Yahir Medina
Yeah
Patrick Kendall
Great song you guys
oyvor
Hi
Alicia Mercado
Thanks for sharing; it's so good
ron
There are guitar chords throughout this song. This isnāt RATM. This is a very talented guitarist who is able to stretch and bend the notes of the instrument to fit multiple genres and styles. Appreciate it instead of getting upset that he is only 1/4 of a band.