Warren Haynes (born 6 April 1960), guitarist and musician. He is a guitaris… Read Full Bio ↴Warren Haynes (born 6 April 1960), guitarist and musician. He is a guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band and is the primary singer, guitarist, and songwriter for Gov't Mule. He also released a solo album in 1992, Tales Of Ordinary Madness

Haynes also spent the summer of 2004 playing with The Dead, a group featuring the remaining members of The Grateful Dead. He was also a member of the longest running lineup of Phil Lesh's "Phil Lesh and Friend's" band, comprised of himself, Lesh, Jimmy Herring, John Molo, and Rob Baracco

In 2004, he was named to the Rolling Stone magazine list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time at #23. He was joined on the list by fellow Allman Brothers Band guitarists Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, and Derek Trucks.

Warren is well known for the annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam which draws many well known musicians, who play until the early morning hours. The Jam is a benefit for Habitat for Humanity, and is known as one of the best shows in the country.

Man In Motion
Warren Haynes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Still life is overrated
Burn-out factor is part of the game
Life should be an adventure
Anything else is a crying shame
People gather round to see
Day by day

Just what he's gonna be

He's here, he's gone
He's moving on
What do you expect the boy to do
He's just a fire burning

A storm passing through
Proceed with caution
He's a man in motion
Hard to say when the motion began
Big time dreams in a
Small town man

Some days peace of mind
Is all you hope to find
Folks back home wouldn't understand
Moving town to town
Band to band

You say someday you're gonna stop
But they keep moving the finish line
What do you expect the boy to do

He's just a fire burning
A storm passing through
Proceed with caution
He's a man in motion

His life has been a race
Love of the game thrill of the chase
It's only 8 seconds but you live for the ride
What do you expect the boy to do
What do you expect the boy to do
He's just a fire burning

A storm passing through
Proceed with caution
Proceed with caution

Proceed with caution
He's a man in motion

Overall Meaning

In Warren Haynes's song "Man in Motion," the lyrics suggest that living life to the fullest is important, and it's better to leave a mark while living rather than having regrets once it's all over. The first verse implies that a sedentary lifestyle is overrated and that life is meant to be an adventure. People who live their lives in this manner make an impact, but often they stand alone. They're appreciated for the results of their journeys but not necessarily the journey itself.

The chorus finds the singer looking inward and understanding that he's meant to keep moving. Anyone who has seen a raging fire or felt the ferocity of a storm knows they're uncontrollable. He's a fire burning or a storm passing through, and you need to proceed with caution. His journey began in a small town with big-time dreams, and he's been living on the road, playing in bands from town to town. The pursuit of happiness is never-ending, and he continues to race towards his goals, knowing that the ride is worth it regardless of how long it lasts because he's a man in motion.

In conclusion, the song is about making the most of life, understanding that hard work is necessary, and continuing to move forward. It beckons listeners to take chances and pursue their wildest dreams, reminding them that the journey is the reward. Give it your all and don't have any regrets when it's all said and done.

Line by Line Meaning

Still life is overrated
The idea of a still or stagnant life is unexciting and uninspiring.

Burn-out factor is part of the game
Burn-out, exhaustion, or any other consequence of a highly active life is expected and accepted as a part of a very active life or lifestyle.

Life should be an adventure
Life should be full of exciting and interesting experiences.

Anything else is a crying shame
Anything other than an adventurous life is a cause for regret or disappointment.

People gather round to see
People are curious to see the accomplishments or the next steps of this individual.

Day by day
As the days progress and as the individual moves forward with their life.

Just what he's gonna be
Curious about what this individual will do or become as time progresses.

He's here, he's gone
This individual comes and goes as they please, without any commitment or constraint to one place.

He's moving on
This individual is continuing their movement and journey in life without stopping or settling in one place.

What do you expect the boy to do
What can you realistically expect from an individual with such a dynamic and unpredictable lifestyle?

He's just a fire burning
This individual is like a strong flame, fueled by their passion and energy for life.

A storm passing through
This individual is comparable to a storm, powerful and unpredictable, but moving forward regardless.

Proceed with caution
Be careful and mindful when dealing with this individual, as their behavior and presence can be unpredictable or extreme.

He's a man in motion
This individual is always moving forward, progressing and developing their life with each step taken.

Hard to say when the motion began
It is difficult to determine when this individual's journey began, as they have always been a dynamic and active person.

Big time dreams in a
This individual has large, ambitious aspirations for their life.

Small town man
Despite their ambitious dreams, this individual comes from humble beginnings and a small, close-knit community.

Some days peace of mind
On certain days, this individual only seeks a sense of calmness and tranquility in their life.

Is all you hope to find
All this individual desires on these quieter days is a sense of peace and stillness.

Folks back home wouldn't understand
The people in this individual's hometown or place of origin would not be able to comprehend this person's dynamic lifestyle and ambitions.

Moving town to town
This individual is constantly moving from one town or location to another as part of their ongoing journey.

Band to band
This individual is part of several musical bands or groups that are integral to their life experience.

You say someday you're gonna stop
This individual has stated a goal or intention to eventually stop moving forward and lead a more still or calm life.

But they keep moving the finish line
The idea of stopping or slowing down continues to feel further and further away or unachievable.

His life has been a race
This individual's journey through life can be likened to a fast-paced competition or race.

Love of the game thrill of the chase
This individual deeply enjoys the sense of competition and pursuit of their goals in life.

It's only 8 seconds but you live for the ride
Even though each individual moment in life may be short, this person takes full advantage of each one to experience and enjoy the ride.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: WARREN HAYNES, JEFFERY NORMAN ANDERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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