We gotta get to a higher place
And we gotta leave by night
Before that river takes us down
We gotta find somewhere that's dry
We gotta run like we've never run
Or we're gonna lose the light

If we don't get to a higher place and find somebody
Can help somebody, might be nobody no more

Well, I fool myself and I don't know why
I thought we could ride this out
I was up all night making up my mind
But now I've got my doubts
I got my eye on the waterline
Trying to keep my sense of humor

But if we don't get to a higher place and find somebody
Can help somebody, might be nobody no more

We gotta get to a higher place
And I hope we all arrive together
We gotta get to a higher place
If we want to survive the weather

I remember walking with her in town
Her hair was in the wind
I gave her my best kiss
She gave it back again
Yeah, when I add up what I've left behind
I don't want to lose no more

But if we don't get to a higher place and find somebody
Can help somebody, might be nobody no more


Lyrics submitted by oofus

A Higher Place Lyrics as written by Thomas Earl Petty

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Gone Gator Music

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A Higher Place song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    Can't believe there is no comments on this song, this is easily one of Petty's top tracks

    saleon July 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Can't believe there is no comments on this song, this is easily one of Petty's top tracks

    saleon July 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This could be interpreted as a metaphor for alcoholics anonymous. He's talking about getting to a higher place (aa meeting) if you want to survive.

    "gotta leave by nine" not night find somewhere thats dry = not drunk "Gotta run like we've never run" - what AA requires ("into action")

    "If we cant find somebody who can help somebody might be nobody no more"

    • AA requires you to help people or you will die/relapse

    "I fool myself and I dont know why, thought we could ride this out" typical talk of an alcoholic "I was up all night making up my mind but now I got my doubts" - last minute indecision whether or not to go to the higher place or not (AA)

    "Ive got my eye on the water line try to keep my sense of humor" - important part of sobriety. They say "we are not a glum lot"

    "we gotta get to a higher place if we want to survive" - unity being the premise of AA.

    "Yeah, when I add up what I've left behind I don't want to lose no more"

    • this is called reaching rock bottom.

    Songs about how tom needed to get to a meeting. but you knew that right?


    if you needed a sign this it.

    [Edit: wasnt complete]
    sbryant31on October 28, 2023   Link

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