Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I went out walking
Through streets paved with gold
Lifted some stones
Saw the skin and bones
Of a city without a soul
I went out walking
Under an atomic sky
Where the ground won't turn
And the rain it burns
Like the tears when I said goodbye
Yeah I went with nothing
Nothing but the thought of you
I went wandering
I went drifting
Through the capitals of tin
Where men can't walk
Or freely talk
And sons turn their fathers in
I stopped outside a church house
Where the citizens like to sit
They say they want the kingdom
But they don't want God in it
I went out riding
Down that old eight lane
I passed by a thousand signs
Looking for my own name
I went with nothing
But the thought you'd be there too
Looking for you
I went out there
In search of experience
To taste and to touch
And to feel as much
As a man can
Before he repents
I went out searching
Looking for one good man
A spirit who would not bend or break
Who would sit at his father's right hand
I went out walking
With a bible and a gun
The word of God lay heavy on my heart
I was sure I was the one
Now Jesus, don't you wait up
Jesus, I'll be home soon
Yeah I went out for the papers
Told her I'd be back by noon
Yeah I left with nothing
But the thought you'd be there too
Looking for you
Yeah I left with nothing
Nothing but the thought of you
I went wandering
Oh ho
Through streets paved with gold
Lifted some stones
Saw the skin and bones
Of a city without a soul
I went out walking
Under an atomic sky
Where the ground won't turn
And the rain it burns
Like the tears when I said goodbye
Yeah I went with nothing
Nothing but the thought of you
I went wandering
I went drifting
Through the capitals of tin
Where men can't walk
Or freely talk
And sons turn their fathers in
I stopped outside a church house
Where the citizens like to sit
They say they want the kingdom
But they don't want God in it
I went out riding
Down that old eight lane
I passed by a thousand signs
Looking for my own name
I went with nothing
But the thought you'd be there too
Looking for you
I went out there
In search of experience
To taste and to touch
And to feel as much
As a man can
Before he repents
I went out searching
Looking for one good man
A spirit who would not bend or break
Who would sit at his father's right hand
I went out walking
With a bible and a gun
The word of God lay heavy on my heart
I was sure I was the one
Now Jesus, don't you wait up
Jesus, I'll be home soon
Yeah I went out for the papers
Told her I'd be back by noon
Yeah I left with nothing
But the thought you'd be there too
Looking for you
Yeah I left with nothing
Nothing but the thought of you
I went wandering
Oh ho
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More Featured Meanings
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
To me it's simply about a man searching for God. Although I'm not religious, its one of my favourite songs (althought Bono doesn't even sing it!) When I first heard this song it was shortly after Sept. 11, and so I couldn't help apply the lyrics to the situation. Try it for yourself, I think the first verse is especially relevent. Instead of a man searching for God, he is searching for a lost loved one. But you can interpret it for yourself.
This is a great conclusion to Zooropa.
The first half of the album is about the awfulness of a consumeristic culture. In the last half, you slowly wake up and begin to seek out God. I think the alarm sound at the end of this song is a wake-up call. You can't waste your whole life doing things just because they feel good.
I think it's more about someone who's gone too far in his religious beliefs and is a crazed fanatic. "I went out walking .. with a Bible AND A GUN"??? Christians aren't exactly known for being gun-toters unless they slip off the edge of sanity.
Good song nevertheless and Johnny Cash does a great job (as per usual). It was neat to see Bono sing it during the tribute show on TV to the late Mr. Cash.
@dryah You must not be American. American Christians are known for being gun-toters and off the edge of sanity.
I think this song is about a guy who can't go on in his contradictory world, and can't do nothing to found truth. He goes looking in the fantasies of people (the first paragraph, the "consumer's" world) and finds the material bones that suported them. Then he keeps searching in the material world (second paragraph, the productive world), the people that tries to keep living caring about his needs to survive. And so, he can't find himself, even looking to a thousand signs, nor he can't find that person who could serve of a guide. He tries it all so he can repent, because he doesn't know what is that right thing he has to do. Then there comes the part of the bible and the gun. I like to think is about his laws and his power to judge others and ask for (or make) punishment ("I was sure I was the one"). He finds out he can't judge anyone because he don't knows the "general truth". So he can't find the truth outside ("wen't out for the papers", the facts) but he has to return home, in need ("told her I'll be back"). But now that he experienced, he knows he can't find his truth in others, but in him. So he left, wandering in the inside, trying to know himself. Knowing Bono (not that good), I think he writes the song in a spiritual way. But can apply to all the people, in that search we all make trough our lives.
i beilieve the song to be about a man longing for the perfect life in a perfect world but he cannot find it hence at the end going out with a bible and a gun. he tells Jesus he will be 'home soon', i take this to be heaven as he plans to use the gun to take his life as he knows he will never be in a perfect world in his natural life
this seems to be a man just going out and finding himself with nothing but the thought of his lost love or, as Spider1 said, God. The later would make more sense. Johnny Cash is amazing and he really makes this song, and i dare to say, better that Bono could have. can't believe i just said that. ;)
It's about God's call on an individual's life. The struggle to do what's right in a wrong world. I would imagine this is autobiographical for Bono!
I love this song. When I first heard it I thought of a man who knew he was about to die i.e "Jesus don't you worry, jesus I'll be home soon" lovely line and I like to think of this person searching for a lost love either before he dies or after the event. Does that make any sense? wonderful song.
I beg to differ: Those of Christendom - "Christians" who do not follow the teachings of Christ, but who have spiritually adulterate themselves to serve Satan and his deathful world system go out with "a Bible and a gun" enmasse. They participate in and/ or spiritually support the wars of their nations. They fight for their country - or back it up - "in the name of God." In this way, FALSE Christianity has led to defamation of Christ, the Creator, and the Bible - which is Satan's aim.
TRUE Christianity - though smallish in comparison to fake, Satan-sell-out "Christianity" - remains in this world though. Its members are conscientous objectors. They actually don't "heed the battle call."
Honestly I think he says a Bible and a Gun because he was searching for God in this sad world we live in today, and this is a dangerous world...therefore he went looking for God with his Bible and a gun to protect himself.
The first time I heard this song was after Cash passed away, and I really don't know any other songs by him, but This song and Ring of Fire, are quickly getting me hooked on his music....anway...since the first time I heard it was a few weeks ago, and since Walk the Line just came out, Though I haven't seen it, when I heard the line: Now Jesus, don't you wait up Jesus, I'll be home soon : I almost cried....I don't even know anythign about Johnny Cash and that made me sad to hear him sing that.