He then released two solo albums, 12 Song Program (2010) and Sad Bear (2011), as well as another split album with Joey Cape in 2012, Acoustic Volume 2.
On August 1, 2012 it was announced that he had passed away.
Flying South
Tony Sly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About nothing going right so tell me what to do
Should I write you a song about two minutes long?
Not enough time to explain may be enough for you
You see that I am flying south for the winter once again
I feel like I am bailing out on my only friend
Aside from all the things we do to make each other blue
Can you forgive me again?
You've been there all the time
I'm a missing person sign
But I hope that we can find all that we have misplaced
You see that I am flying south
For the winter once again
I feel like I am bailing out on my only friend
I am like the wind in your sinking sailboat
Stuck at the dock without you
If I could sleep tonight then we wouldn't have to fight
About nothing going right so tell me what to do
Please tell me what to do
The lyrics of Tony Sly’s song Flying South convey a sense of regret, uncertainty, and the desire to reconcile with someone close to you. The opening lines illustrate a conflict that is possibly ongoing in a relationship, where the singer asks for guidance and offers to write a song as a way of reaching out. The second verse, however, reveals that he has decided to “fly south for the winter” once again, leaving his friend behind. This decision seems to cause pain and guilt, as the lyrics suggest that the singer feels like he is bailing out and that he is a missing person sign.
The song’s title, “Flying South,” is a metaphor for escaping something difficult or unpleasant. However, the use of the phrase “once again” implies a pattern of behavior that the singer may not be proud of. In the chorus, the singer expresses the hope of finding what they have misplaced, possibly referring to the relationship they are struggling to maintain. Interestingly, the last stanza seems to mirror the first one, as if to emphasize the cyclical nature of the situation. By repeating the opening lines, the singer leaves the resolution of the conflict ambiguous, as if the question of what to do remains unanswered.
Overall, the lyrics of Flying South offer a poignant reflection on the complexities of relationships, the weight of responsibility, and the desire for forgiveness and reconciliation.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could sleep tonight then we wouldn't have to fight
If I could find some peace and rest, we would not argue anymore
About nothing going right so tell me what to do
Since our situation is bad, please give me some direction
Should I write you a song about two minutes long?
Maybe I can express my feelings through a short song
Not enough time to explain may be enough for you
Even though It may not fully convey my feelings, it might be sufficient for you
You see that I am flying south for the winter once again
Once again, I have to leave and be away for a while
I feel like I am bailing out on my only friend
It seems like I'm abandoning you, my closest companion
Aside from all the things we do to make each other blue
Although we do things that upset each other
Can you forgive me again?
Will you be able to pardon me one more time?
I am the one to blame
It's my fault
You've been there all the time
You've been constant and present throughout
I'm a missing person sign
I'm lost and uncertain
But I hope that we can find all that we have misplaced
I trust that we can locate everything we've lost
I am like the wind in your sinking sailboat
I'm the breeze holding your sinking vessel from drowning
Stuck at the dock without you
Incapable of moving without your presence and aid
Please tell me what to do
I beg you to give me direction and guidance
Contributed by Joshua H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.