Monday, May 28, 2012

The Most Brutally Realistic Lyrics Ever?

The lyrics of songs tend to be more escapist than realistic. Not so with "Going Nowhere," written by Phil Cody for Neil Sedaka in 1974. It feels more relevant than ever.




Considering 
So many folks, dissatisfied with everything, 
Who need someone to understand they're lonely, they're lonely, 
And they're not alone. 

And everywhere 
They shrug their shoulders, tell themselves that they don't care, 
And all the while they make believe they're happy, oh they're happy, 
But not really. 

And they're asked to hold the world together, 
Make it happen, give it children, 
Who in turn are turning on to going nowhere. 
And all the strength they'd ever need to help them 
Has been wasted, remains hidden, 
In the confusion of going nowhere. 

And who am I 
To criticize the world that I have grown up in. 
Most of you would tell me that I'm crazy, yes I'm crazy, 
I can't help it. 

I understand 
That where you are is where you've been so many years, 
And things that tend to change you, tend to hurt you, yes they hurt you, 
Very deeply. 

And still you try to hold the world together, 
Make it happen, give it children 
Who in turn are turning on to going nowhere. 
And all the strength they'd ever need to help them 
Has been wasted, remains hidden, 
In the confusion of going nowhere, 
Going nowhere, 
Going, going, going nowhere, 
Going nowhere.

2 comments:

  1. Wow...the lyrics are pretty doggone depressing and quite arrogant. I mean, who is to say "you're going nowhere".
    Sometimes you have to muck around in the confusion and the boredom in order to "go somewhere".

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  2. The typical happiness trap.
    Any religion is better in this case because - it redirects your attention from seeking the serotonin bath to something - what a paradox - more realistic. Like rituals.

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