I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
It's been a long hard night
Out on Highway 501
Trying to make the wrong things right
Saying oh my god what have I done
And I can barely see to drive
The sun's gone down now I'm going with it
With a bottle between my thighs
Praying I see the city limit sign
She says Why do you do what you do?
I can't always come back to you
I don't know why I do what I do
But I'll always come back to you
There's one light on the road tonight
It's nice to know that somebody else is alive
Want to get lonely in my mind
I think I need somebody all the time
Well don't judge me by my past
I feel bad, runaway from that
And I can never make anything last I feel bad
She says Why do you do what you do?
I can't always come back to you
Well I don't know why I do what I do
But I'll always come back to you
It's not alright when you're not breathing
It's not alright when I'm on your floor
Call it what you will but I call it leaving
One more step and I'm out your door
Call it what you will but I call it leaving
One more step and I'm out your door
Out on Highway 501
Trying to make the wrong things right
Saying oh my god what have I done
And I can barely see to drive
The sun's gone down now I'm going with it
With a bottle between my thighs
Praying I see the city limit sign
She says Why do you do what you do?
I can't always come back to you
I don't know why I do what I do
But I'll always come back to you
There's one light on the road tonight
It's nice to know that somebody else is alive
Want to get lonely in my mind
I think I need somebody all the time
Well don't judge me by my past
I feel bad, runaway from that
And I can never make anything last I feel bad
She says Why do you do what you do?
I can't always come back to you
Well I don't know why I do what I do
But I'll always come back to you
It's not alright when you're not breathing
It's not alright when I'm on your floor
Call it what you will but I call it leaving
One more step and I'm out your door
Call it what you will but I call it leaving
One more step and I'm out your door
Lyrics submitted by kaitlynn422
501 Lyrics as written by Robert Justin Osborne
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
This song, to me, is about someone who's just sick of where they are, and they up and left. Something I wish I had the guts to do sometimes.
i think it might mean that the guy is like an alcholic and sometimes is out of it, but he always comes back. and he doesnt know why he does it, he just does. or it could mean that the guy is always gone but he always makes hia way back to the girl. like he has to be away all the time even though he doesnt want to, he just has to.
for anyone who didnt know, highway 501 is a highway here in south carolina that connects florence (sequoyah prep school's hometown) to myrtle beach.
to me this song is about someone in a relationship that keeps screwing up. the person keeps getting frustraited and leaving (both emotionally and physically) thinking it is over, but they simply can't bring themselves leave for good. "She says why do you do what you do I can’t always come back to you I don’t know why I do what I do But I’ll always come back to you"
but it also seems like here at the end the person is trying to decide if they should leave for good. "Call it what you will but I call it leaving One more step and I’m out your door"
i love my local bands <3
I think its driving drunk while pondering about his uneasy relationship.
"With a bottle between my thighs Im praying I see the city limits sign"
Feeling down and hoping not to get in a wreck while thinking about his girlfriend and their troubles. It indicates that there's a specific problem that she isn't ok with, perhaps the drinking.
"She says why do you do what you do I can't always come back to you I don't know why I do what I do But I'll always come back to you"
Overall its a really great song :]
does no one think there's something of death in here? "It's not alright when you're not breathin"... and he's drunk and asks "oh my god, what have I done?" I mean, I can see where I might have this totally wrong, but it just seems that he's in complete agony over something. He also says "I can never make anything last" meaning it's obviously over. And he prays he sees the city limit signs...what if he's running from the city, and looking for the marker so he knows he's out of the city. I'm not saying he killed her, but maybe she died. He's accusing her "you can call it what you will but I'll call it leaving." All of this just seemed so clear to me, even the first time i heard it. I think he's hurt, depressed, regretful, and kind of angry.
I would say it has something to do with him leaving, but I'm not sure what "you're not breathing" has to do with it. Maybe he had someone OD that he was in a relationship with, and he's sick of dealing with someone like that, so he's on his way to my hometown, Myrtle Beach...