Phenomenon
dr dog Lyrics

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Open roads, broken rope
Sign me up, give me will
To keep the hounds from sitting still
Any longer

Red skies at night,
The mornings white
The sky is blue

The sky is green
Am I, to you, to intervene?
The fire’s like the gasoline
And you are like the smoke

You’re always leaving
But you’re never gone
You’re everywhere at once
Like a true phenomenon

So take me down your old back roads
And show me where you go
That god may help me know it
When I see it

I could use a job
But I ain’t for hire
You ask and you receive
Or you learn to make believe
The fire’s like the gasoline
And you are like the smoke

You’re always leaving
But you’re never gone
You’re everywhere at once
Like a true phenomenon

You’re always leaving
But you’re never gone

You’re everywhere at once
Like a true phenomenon

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Phenomenon" by Dr. Dog are open to interpretation but there are themes of movement, uncertainty, and longing for guidance. The first verse mentions "open roads" and "broken ropes", suggesting a need for freedom and release from constraints. The singer asks to be signed up and given the will to keep moving and avoid stagnation. The following lines describe the changing skies and ask if the singer should intervene somehow. The fire and smoke imagery adds to the sense of instability and unpredictability.

In the chorus, the singer addresses someone who is always leaving but never gone, and refers to them as a "true phenomenon". This could be interpreted as a person, an idea, or a feeling that is elusive but ever-present. The singer seems to want to understand this phenomenon better and asks to be taken down back roads to see where it goes.

The second verse contrasts the desire for movement with the need for stability and security. The singer could use a job but is not easily swayed by offers. The fire and smoke imagery returns, again emphasizing the transitory nature of existence.

Overall, "Phenomenon" captures a sense of restlessness and searching for meaning amidst a changing and uncertain world.

Line by Line Meaning

Open roads, broken rope
I'm ready to explore new opportunities, but I'm feeling a little lost and uncertain.

Sign me up, give me will
I need some motivation and inspiration to take on new challenges and pursue my passions.

To keep the hounds from sitting still
I don't want to stay stagnant and complacent; I want to keep moving forward and striving for more.

Red skies at night, The mornings white
The world around us can be dark and unpredictable, but there is still beauty and hope to be found in every situation.

The sky is blue, The sky is green
The world is full of different perspectives and possibilities, and sometimes it's hard to know which one to choose.

Am I, to you, to intervene?
I wonder if I can make a difference in the world or in other people's lives.

The fire’s like the gasoline, And you are like the smoke
You have a bright and passionate energy that fuels everything around you, and I am just trying to keep up and not get burned.

You’re always leaving, But you’re never gone
Even when you're not physically present, you still have a strong impact on my life and the world around me.

You’re everywhere at once, Like a true phenomenon
You have a larger-than-life presence and influence that can be felt in every corner of the universe.

So take me down your old back roads, And show me where you go
I want to learn from your experiences and see the world through your eyes, even if it means taking the road less traveled.

That god may help me know it, When I see it
I'm seeking a greater understanding and purpose in life, and I hope that traveling with you will help me find it.

I could use a job, But I ain’t for hire
I need to make a living and support myself, but I don't want to compromise my values or passions in the process.

You ask and you receive, Or you learn to make believe
Sometimes life doesn't give us what we want, and we have to learn to be creative and resourceful to make the most of what we have.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SAM FRANK, SOPHIA JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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