Van Susans are a Pop/Rock band residing in London’s leafy suburbs. Consisti… Read Full Bio ↴Van Susans are a Pop/Rock band residing in London’s leafy suburbs. Consisting of Olly Andrews, Will Showler, Holly McLatchie and brothers Rob Dullaway and Ed Dullaway, the group have a burning passion for melodic harmonies and tales of love and heartbreak, accompanied by both beautiful acoustic rhythms and assertive electric guitar riffs.

Van Susans are signed to the independent label, Beatnik Geek Records and cite classic mid nineties/early noughties bands such as Jack’s Mannequin, Jimmy Eat World, Something Corporate, Dashboard Confessional, Jamie T and Incubus. Their line-up includes the usual lead/backing vocals, guitars, keyboards and the occasional sounds of a violin played by Holly. In the run up to their debut release, the band spent their days writing and touring relentlessly, performing at established venues like London’s Indigo 2 and Clapham’s Grand.

Van Susan’s debut EP, We Could Be Scenery was released back in May 2011 and showcases the band’s effortless ability to write killer hooks, big choruses and instantly sing-along, well crafted melodies. Their new album “Paused In The Moment” is available now.

The Road
Van Susans Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gave up the thing you loved
Just to chase the dream
Try not to wake up
Just go back to sleep
I've said quite enough
You say I broke your heart
How can you break what was not there from the start

Can't find the words to tell you
And I know the road is long
But when this is all over
I will carry on

Don't get to comfortable
Make sure I cannot stay
Don't get to distraught
You don't belong here anyway
Miles away from home
Don't think I will return
I've said this all before
I guess I'll never learn

Can't find the words to tell you
And I know the road is long
But when this is all over
I will carry on
I can't find the words to tell you
And I know the road is long
But when this is all over
I will carry on

There's one thing I'm certain
You will return to me

But if you say it's over
Then I'll admit defeat

Overall Meaning

The song "The Road" by Van Susans is a melancholic tune that talks about chasing your dreams and leaving behind the things you love. The song is about making hard choices, facing challenges, and not being afraid to take risks in life.

The first verse states, "Gave up the thing you loved/Just to chase the dream/Try not to wake up/Just go back to sleep." The lyrics suggest that the person has given up something they love to pursue their dream, hoping that they will be able to stay asleep and not wake up to the difficulties that come with chasing dreams. The singer then says, "You say I broke your heart/How can you break what was not there from the start," meaning that the person has already made the choice to pursue their dreams, and it was not the singer’s fault for inspiring them to pursue their dreams.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Can't find the words to tell you/And I know the road is long/But when this is over/I will carry on." This line is an expression of the singer's determination to complete their journey and face whatever challenges come their way despite not being able to articulate it to others. The second verse talks about returning home, but not being able to stay because the person has already made their choice to pursue their dreams, saying "I've said this all before/I guess I'll never learn." The final verse concludes with, "There's one thing I'm certain/You will return to me/But if you say it's over/Then I'll admit defeat." The last verse implies that the singer is not going to give up on their dreams, and they are only going to admit defeat if the person gives up on them entirely.

Line by Line Meaning

Gave up the thing you loved
You sacrificed your love for something else

Just to chase the dream
In pursuit of your dream

Try not to wake up
Avoiding reality

Just go back to sleep
Return to ignorance

I've said quite enough
I've spoken too much

You say I broke your heart
You claim I hurt you emotionally

How can you break what was not there from the start
You never had my heart to begin with

Can't find the words to tell you
I'm struggling to express myself

And I know the road is long
The journey ahead is difficult

But when this is all over
After all is said and done

I will carry on
I will persist