on the road again
Tom Rush Lyrics


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I locked my doors, the sun went down
Said goodbye to Boston town
Mass turnpike to Route 15
Take me on down to the New York scene
Thummin' of the tires it sure is pretty
Thinkin' 'bout the wimmin' in New York City.

And Hey!, I'm on the road again
And Hey!, I'm on the road again
And Hey!, I'm on the road again.

Take the Harlem Tunnel to the Jersey Pike
And roll through Philly, in the middle of the night

Hey!, I'm on the road again
Hey!, I'm on the road again
Hey!, I'm on the road again.

I went downtown DC,runnin' all around town
Tryin' to find a little lady, she hit me when I'm down
Nobody answers, aint anybody home
Gotta grab me a cab, get to Baltimore
She got great long hair and big ole smile
And great long legs that drive me wild





And hey! I'm on the road again.

Overall Meaning

Tom Rush's song "On the Road Again" expresses the joy and excitement of going on a road trip to escape one's mundane life. The song begins with the singer locking his doors and saying goodbye to Boston town as he takes the Massachusetts Turnpike to Route 15, which will take him to the New York scene. The sound of the tires is pleasing, but his thoughts are on the women he will meet in New York City. The chorus of "Hey!, I'm on the road again" reflects the carefree and spontaneous spirit of the singer's journey.


In the second verse, the singer takes the Harlem Tunnel to the Jersey Pike and drives through Philadelphia in the middle of the night. He then goes to downtown DC and runs all around trying to find a little lady to lift up his spirits. However, he has no luck with finding someone to connect with in DC, so he decides to grab a cab and go to Baltimore. In Baltimore, he meets a lady with great long hair, a big ole smile, and great long legs that drive him wild. He is excited to be on the road again with this new and exciting companion.


"On the Road Again" captures the promise of new beginnings and the sense of freedom that one can feel away from home. It's about the thrill of traveling and the sense of adventure that comes with being on the move. The singer isn't just traveling to a new place; he's also looking for a new connection with someone special, and this gives the song a hopeful tone.


Line by Line Meaning

I locked my doors, the sun went down
As the sun set, I secured my vehicle.


Said goodbye to Boston town
I bade farewell to the city of Boston.


Mass turnpike to Route 15
I traveled from Mass turnpike to Route 15.


Take me on down to the New York scene
I desire to travel to the vibrant New York City.


Thummin' of the tires it sure is pretty
The sound of the tires hitting the ground creates a pleasing rhythm.


Thinkin' 'bout the wimmin' in New York City.
I am contemplating the attractive women I will encounter in the city.


And Hey!, I'm on the road again
I am thrilled to be traveling once again.


Take the Harlem Tunnel to the Jersey Pike
I am planning to take the Harlem Tunnel to the Jersey Pike.


And roll through Philly, in the middle of the night
I will drive through Philadelphia late at night.


Hey!, I'm on the road again
I am excited to be on the road once more.


I went downtown DC, runnin' all around town
I explored Washington D.C. in detail.


Tryin' to find a little lady, she hit me when I'm down
I was seeking a female companion but was rejected.


Nobody answers, aint anybody home
No one was available to assist me.


Gotta grab me a cab, get to Baltimore
I must hail a cab and travel to Baltimore.


She got great long hair and big ole smile
The woman I met has stunning long hair and a beautiful smile.


And great long legs that drive me wild
Her long legs are incredibly attractive and I cannot resist them.


And hey! I'm on the road again.
I am once again pleased and excited to be travelling.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Willie Nelson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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