Feelin' Alright
Traffic Lyrics


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Seems I've got to have a change of scene
'Cause every night I have the strangest dreams
Imprisoned by the way it could have been
Left here on my own or so it seems
I've got to leave before I start to scream
But someone's locked the door and took the key

You feelin' alright
I'm not feelin' too good myself
Well, you feelin' alright
I'm not feelin' too good myself (oh yeah)

Well, you sure took me for one big ride
And even now I sit and wonder why
That when I think of you I start to cry
I just can't waste my time, I must keep dry
Gotta stop believin' in all your lies
'Cause there's too much to do before I die

You feelin' alright
I'm not feelin' too good myself
Well, you feelin' alright
I'm not feelin' too good myself (oh yeah)

Don't get too lost in all I say
Though at the time I really felt that way
But that was then, now it's today
I can't get off yet so I'm here to stay
Till someone comes along and takes my place
With a different name and, yes, a different face

You feelin' alright
I'm not feelin' too good myself
Well, you feelin' alright
I'm not feelin' too good myself (oh)

You feelin' alright
I'm not feelin' too good myself
You feelin' alright
I'm not feelin' too good myself (I'm not feeling too good, too good, too good)
You feelin' alright
I'm not feelin' too good myself (oh)
You feelin' alright




Oh I hope you're feeling alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Traffic's song Feelin' Alright describe a feeling of dissatisfaction with life and the need for change. The singer feels trapped by the way things could have been and is haunted by strange dreams every night. They feel alone and abandoned, with someone having locked the door and taken the key. The chorus, with the repeated question "you feelin' alright" and the response "I'm not feelin' too good myself" highlights the loneliness the singer feels.


The second verse speaks to the pain the singer has experienced due to the actions of someone else. They were taken for "one big ride" and are left wondering why they still think of this person and cry. However, they have made the decision to move on and not waste any more time on this person's lies. The final verse speaks to the hope that someone else will come along to take their place and bring a different perspective to their life.


Overall, the lyrics of Feelin' Alright speak to the universal human experience of wanting change and feeling lonely or isolated. They highlight the need to move on from negative experiences and the hope for something better in the future.


Line by Line Meaning

Seems I've got to have a change of scene
I need to go somewhere else because I am tired of this environment.


'Cause every night I have the strangest dreams
Every night, I have very weird and disturbing dreams.


Imprisoned by the way it could have been
I feel trapped and unable to move on from how things could have been.


Left here on my own or so it seems
I feel like I am all alone in this.


I've got to leave before I start to scream
I need to escape before I lose control.


But someone's locked the door and took the key
Someone has locked me in and left with the key, so I am unable to leave.


Well, you sure took me for one big ride
You really fooled and deceived me.


And even now I sit and wonder why
Even to this day, I still question why you did what you did.


That when I think of you I start to cry
Whenever I think of you, it brings me to tears.


I just can't waste my time, I must keep dry
I don't want to waste any more time on this and need to move on.


Gotta stop believin' in all your lies
I need to stop trusting and believing in all the lies you told me.


'Cause there's too much to do before I die
I have so much left to do in my life, and I can't let your lies hold me back.


Don't get too lost in all I say
Don't take everything I say too seriously.


Though at the time I really felt that way
Although I may have felt that way at the time.


But that was then, now it's today
But now things are different.


I can't get off yet so I'm here to stay
I can't leave just yet, so I have to stay here for now.


Till someone comes along and takes my place
Until someone else comes and takes my position.


With a different name and, yes, a different face
And with a new name and a different appearance.


Oh I hope you're feeling alright
I hope you are doing well.


Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dave Mason

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

The Vinyl Restoration Project

Are you talking about this song or vinyl in general today? As far as this song goes, I'm with you. Personally, this it did NOT do it for me either. There are many more selections on this channel, however, that will translate much better, sonically speaking, so I hope you can find the time to seek them out, if you have not already tried. But try that to see if that helps.

But if you are speaking in general terms, I also hear you. I remember a different kind of listen back in the 70's. For example, I seem to recall more warmth generally and a 'bigger sound', sonically. Is that what you are referring too? Those kinds of things?

For me, I have found one really good way to get that sonic experience back is to seek out and invest in an old stereo vintage console (preferably tube if, like me, you love the warmth with deep bass sound - 15" sub). Plenty out there on Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, or your favorite audio forum social networking outlet online. Then, you will want/need to have it partially(re-'Cap'ed minimum)-to-fully restored with Bluetooth capability added and/or make sure you have a working aux/tape RCA connection(preferably more than one) on the back to add your tape/CD/Reel-to-Reel deck, as well.

Finally, have the room you are going to have it in, professionally tuned i.e. with strategically placed furniture, various wall/floor treatments i.e. hangings/throw rugs,pillows, etc. and use of wood elements within the room to help shape the sound you like the most and to get the most out of it. Then, get a 'comfy' chair/rocker, pull up your favorite vintage music YT channel/playlist, for example, (plenty of vintage, warm 'tubey' magic, professionally captured, converted and lovingly revitalized found right here!) and stream away on your NOS vintage stereo console.

See if that helps bring back those sonic memories you are longing for. It did it for me! Or if you have already found a way that works for you, please share here and let everyone know! Thanks for stopping by, listening and sharing. I hope you come back often. Take care for now.



All comments from YouTube:

Redzen No. 0488

Traffic was a good band and deserved greater success.

alan lestini

By far my favorite version !

Ranch Smith

Than you haven’t listened to joe cockers version

Karyn Zukas

It is the original, Dave Mason singing and Steve Winwood in the background

Frank Brady

Joe Cocker and Mad Dogs & Englishmen do a pretty great version

Jeremy Heitzig

Never understood why the Joe Cocker version was more popular. The dang piano in this original is killer.

Matt's Kaustic Komments

I appreciate this version and did not know for years that Joe’s was not the first. But I still prefer Joe’s version.

James Bowie

Main reason: Traffic didn't sing it at Woodstock.

Eric Hanhauser

Loose & Goosy. Slinging piano.

Craig Everhart

@Matt's Kaustic Kommentsname a Cocker song that’s not a cover

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