The Wilson sisters and Phillips were friends from childhood, growing up in southern California in the 1970's and 1980's. The three shared a love of music and songwriting, and developed their own style of vocal harmonies. In 1989, producer Glen Ballard and SBK Records signed the trio to a record deal.
Wilson Phillips released their debut album Wilson Phillips in 1990. They shot to fame with their debut single, the # 1 hit "Hold On". The album was a hit, producing three number one singles and selling 10 million copies worldwide.
They released their follow-up album Shadows and Light in 1992. It was much less successful, producing no top ten singles and selling one million copies. Shortly after, the group decided to split up.
During the next decade, the group went their separate ways. Chynna Phillips released a solo album, "Naked and Sacred" in 1995, while the Wilson sisters released a Christmas album in 1993 and an album "The Wilsons" in 1997. Carnie also went on to host her own television talk show, while Phillips married actor William Baldwin. A "Greatest Hits" album was released in 2000, although the group did not officially reunite for this release. Carnie made headlines in 1999 when she underwent gastric bypass surgery live on the internet and lost over 20 dress sizes.
Wilson Phillips reunited in 2004 to release California, an album of cover songs. A single, 'Go Your Own Way,' a remake of the original by Fleetwood Mac, peaked at #13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The album debuted at #35 on the charts with 31,000 copies sold but due to the lack of promotion the album has yet to reach sales of 100,000 copies. In New Zealand the album was a surprise hit, reaching the top 10 and amassing gold sales following 'Go Your Own Way' topping the adult contemporary radio chart for several weeks.
Go your own Way
Wilson Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Isn't the right thing to do
How can I ever change things
That I feel
If I could
Maybe I'd give you my world
How can I
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
You can go your own way
Tell me why
Everything turned around
Packing up
Jacking ups all you want to do
If I could
Baby I'd give you my world
Open up
Every thing's waiting for you
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
You can go your own way
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it another lonely day
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
You can go your own way
You can call it another lonely day
You can go your own way (go your own way)
You can go your own way (go your own way)
The opening lines of the song indicate a struggle within a relationship. The singer is aware that loving the person isn't right for them, but they can't change the way they feel. The first verse shows the singer trying to offer everything they have to the object of their affection. However, they find that the person won't receive their love. The chorus repeats the phrase "You can go your own way" several times, emphasizing the idea that the singer and the other person need to separate from each other. Even though it may be painful, it's necessary for both people to move on and pursue their own paths.
The second verse elaborates on why the relationship is no longer working. Everything has turned around, and the singer must pack up and let the other person jack up (plot their own course). The singer is still willing to offer everything they have, but they do not want to force the other person to accept their love. The chorus is repeated several times, emphasizing the need for the couple to go their separate ways.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal experience of relationships ending. Often, both people want different things, and the best course of action is to move on separately. The singer in the song understands the necessity of the breakup but can't help feeling the pain that comes along with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Loving you
Being in love with you
Isn't the right thing to do
Is not the correct choice
How can I ever change things
Is it possible to alter the situation
That I feel
The emotions I have
If I could
In the case that I had the ability
Maybe I'd give you my world
Possibly I would give everything to you
How can I
Is it possible for me
When you won't take it from me
If you refuse to accept it
You can go your own way
You have the freedom to choose your path
Go your own way
Decide independently
You can call it
It is up to you to label it
Another lonely day
Yet another isolated day
Tell me why
Please enlighten me
Everything turned around
The situation has completely changed
Packing up
Preparing to leave
Jacking ups all you want to do
Your desire is to create problems
Baby I'd give you my world
If I was able, I would give you everything
Open up
Be receptive
Every thing's waiting for you
Opportunities are available
You can go your own way
You can choose to go down your own path
Go your own way
Decide your own destiny
You can call it another lonely day
You may identify it as yet another solitary day
You can go your own way
You have the ability to go down your own path
You can go your own way
You have the freedom to make your own decisions
You can call it another lonely day
It is your choice to perceive it as an isolated day
You can go your own way (go your own way)
You can go down your own path
You can go your own way (go your own way)
You have the freedom to decide your own destiny
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Lindsey Buckingham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thank You So Very Much
Loving you
Isn't the right thing to do
How can I ever change things
That I feel
If I could
Maybe I'd give you my world
How can I
When you won't take it from me
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
You can go your own way
Tell me why
Everything turned around
Packing up
Jacking ups all you want to do
If I could
Baby I'd give you my world
Open up
Every thing's waiting for you
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
You can go your own way
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it another lonely day
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
You can go your own way
You can call it another lonely day
You can go your own way (go your own way)
You can go your own way (go your own way)
Carlos Pareja
Lyrics:
Loving you
Isn't the right thing to do
How can I ever change things
That I feel?
If I could
Maybe I'd give you my world
How can I
When you won't take it from me
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way
Tell me why
Everything turned around
Packing up
Shacking up's all you wanna do
If I could
Baby I'd give you my world
Open up
Everything's waiting for you
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
go your own way
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Call it another lonely day
You can go your own way
CHORDS:
DegrassiInstantStar
Their harmonies are the best I've ever heard. Love this cover.
Jesse Adams
Pure perfection..They have .voices that blend seamlessly! Wilson Phillips songs will always live on forever! So much immense talent!!
Eternatty
Absolutely gorgeous harmonies, still as good as they ever were.
Paul Rosebush
Female harmonies are angelic and make your heart swell.
Kenny Peters
Anyone who knows what history Wilson Phillips was formed from understands exactly why this song was included on their "California" album. It's a natural cover for them to do, and in my opinion they put their own definite spit on a timeless classic! That is a very difficult feat to pull off and they did it nicely.
Gindorn
All the best groups learn to harmonize well together...it shows hard work and dedication. They actually care about the music they're singing. Wilson Phillips will always be warm in my heart for their amazing vocals and harmony.
J Rusty Shaffer
These women have such powerful voices, I'd love to hear a version like the original...it would really rock.
Yin Yang Phoenix
Gorgeous, poignant rendition! Love it! 💕
ZATennisFan
Few groups have ever harmonized like this and Chynna is still one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen..
Jean Marie Nadal
True facts.