Blue Radio
Warren Haynes Lyrics

Rebels facing a brand new world
People who challenge the established order and ideas are struggling to navigate a constantly evolving society.

Standing in the doorway without a clue
They are lost, unsure of their place and purpose in the world.

Devil's inside all of us
Everyone has the potential to do evil and harm.

And we'll go right straight to hell before we're through
We are destined to suffer the consequences of our actions, even if they lead to our own destruction.

Yeah heroes, we don't need you anymore
Traditional heroes - figures of strength and virtue - are no longer relevant or capable of helping us face our fears and challenges.

Your frozen strength can't help us with our fear
Even the strongest among us are powerless against the pervasive anxiety and uncertainty of modern life.

We've got bottles washing up on every shore
Society is awash with evidence of our overindulgence, wastefulness and disregard for the environment.

And the message is loud even if it ain't so clear
We are sending a message with our actions, even if it is difficult to decipher or fully comprehend.

Yeah, the government rained on your hit parade
The government stifles and undermines those who challenge their authority or try to change the status quo.

But what became of your world once you had it made
Once those in power have achieved their goals, they are left with a hollow victory and a world that is unfulfilling and lacking in meaning.

Where did you go blue radio?
The blue radio represents nostalgia for a time when music was authentic and meaningful, before it became commercialized and manufactured.

What about those whose colors were true?
What happened to the artists who stayed true to their principles and values, rather than compromising for commercial success?

Those golden dreams why did they have to go?
Why did we abandon our lofty aspirations and ideals for the more superficial and materialistic values of modern society?

Now there's too much green in between me and you
The pursuit of money and profit has created a divide between people who were once united by shared values and dreams.

Big E. and golden Jerry
Refers to Elvis Presley and Jerry Garcia, two influential musicians who's legacies were changed by the commercialization of their music.

I watched them change you take your spirit away
The artists who were once authentic and true to themselves became corrupted and lost their creative energy due to the demands of the music industry.

Suffering and searching for the mighty dollar
Even successful artists must continue to compromise and sacrifice their artistic integrity to maintain their financial success.

But this game was not what you came to play
Many artists start with the best intentions and desire to create meaningful art, but are pulled away from that goal by the pressures of the music industry.

And videos and computer drums
The rise of technology and digital music production has changed the sound and experience of music, leading to a loss of authenticity and connection.

Lord, they're all the rage
Despite the loss of authenticity and meaningfulness, technology and digital music is popular and widely used.

Now they're lonely screams dying to cut through
Amidst the superficial and manufactured music of today, there are still artists striving to create authentic and meaningful music, but their voices are drowned out by the noise of popular culture.

And we try to resurrect the distant sound of thunder
We long for a return to the powerful and moving music of the past, which once energized and motivated us.

But it's not the same, maybe it'll never be the same
Despite our attempts to recapture that feeling and energy, it may be impossible due to the changes in society and the music industry.

Midnight train rolling in from Georgia
Refers to a time when musicians traveled via trains to perform and share their music across the country.

Big O. Ray James and Wild Richard, too
References Otis Redding, Ray Charles, and Little Richard, all influential blues musicians who helped shape rock and roll.

Then the same thing that derailed your glory
The same forces that impeded the success of past musicians - namely the commercialization and corruption of the music industry - continue to hinder the success of artists today.