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Long Promised Road Lyrics
So hard to answer future's riddle
When ahead is seeming so far behind
So hard to laugh a child-like giggle
When the tears start to torture my mind
So hard to shed the life of before
To let my soul automatically soar
But I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roaddblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down
Sew up the wounds of evolution
And the now starts to get in my way
So what if life's a revelation
If the mind speaks of only today
So real, the pain growing in my soul
Of climbing up to reality's goal
But I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roaddblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down
Long promised road
Trail starts at dawn
Carries on to the season's ending
Long promised road
Flows to the source, gentle force, never ending, never ending
So hard to lift the jeweled sceptre
When the weight turns a smile to a frown
So hard to drink of passion nectar
When the taste of life's holding me down
So hard to plant the seed of reform
To set my sights on defeating the storm
So I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roaddblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down
Oh, yeah-eah-eah-eah
Hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roaddblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down
Oh, yeah-eah-eah-eah
Hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roaddblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me down
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
The song, I believe, has to do with Carl taking the reins in a sense. When Brian was not able to actively lead the band in the studio, Carl inherited that role. It is about overcoming obstacles and also confronting challenges. This is a beautiful, smart song that Carl considers his first "real" composition.
It's too bad nobody has commented on this, it's a really underrated song, and as always, Carl sings beautifully. Everytime I listen to the words, half of it sounds like mumbo jumbo to me for some reason (even though I can understand the words), but it seems pretty obvious that it has to do with overcoming difficult hurdles and fighting off the obstacles in life, or something like that. At any rate, people should search for this song on youtube, there's a really sweet music video type thing they filmed for it, with Carl.
Astrobot, I've listened to Beach Boys songs for years (decades even) but usually the more popular ones i.e the hits, but I stumbled upon this one yesterday and I haven't been able to get the chorus out of my head. I agree this is an underrated song. I'll check out the Youtube video tonight. I like Carl but always preferred Denny cuz he was cool as fuck but Carl could write and sing. No questioning that.
Astrobot, I've listened to Beach Boys songs for years (decades even) but usually the more popular ones i.e the hits, but I stumbled upon this one yesterday and I haven't been able to get the chorus out of my head. I agree this is an underrated song. I'll check out the Youtube video tonight. I like Carl but always preferred Denny cuz he was cool as fuck but Carl could write and sing. No questioning that.
This is pretty much a Carl Wilson solo track. He plays all the instruments and sings all the vocals. Amazing tune. RIP Carl :(
This is pretty much a Carl Wilson solo track. He plays all the instruments and sings all the vocals. Amazing tune. RIP Carl :(
@astrobot I absolutely agree that this song is far underrated, however seeing Long Promised Road used as the title for Brian Wilson’s documentary is a beautiful nod to his brother and I’m noticing more attention being given to this album by YouTube creators. And yes, I do realize that your original comment was made 15 years ago ;)
@astrobot I absolutely agree that this song is far underrated, however seeing Long Promised Road used as the title for Brian Wilson’s documentary is a beautiful nod to his brother and I’m noticing more attention being given to this album by YouTube creators. And yes, I do realize that your original comment was made 15 years ago ;)
This song isn't "socially conscious" or anything like some songs were supposed to be on Surf's Up, but it's cool because it does give you much more of a feeling of a narrative compared to most Beach Boys songs, and it's really cool. Carl sounds pretty proud here.