Sail on down the line 'bout-a half-a mile or so
And-a don't really wanna know-a where you're goin'
Maybe once or twice, you see, time after time
I tried-a to, to hold on to what we got, but-a now you're goin'
And I don't mind about the things you're gonna say, Lord
I gave all my money, and my time
I know it's a shame, but I'm givin' you back your name, yeah, yeah
Yes I'll be on my way, I won't be back to stay
I guess I'll move along, I'm lookin' for a good time

Sail on down the line, ain't it funny how the time can go on-a
Friends say they told me so, but it doesn't matter
It was plain to see that a small town boy like me
Just-a wasn't your cup of tea
It was wishful thinkin'
I gave you my heart and I tried to make you happy
And you gave me nothin' in return
You know, it ain't so hard to say, "Would you please just go away," yeah, yeah
I've thrown away the blues, I'm tired of bein' used
I want everyone to know I'm lookin' for a good time, good time

Sail on honey
Good times never felt so good
Sail on honey
Good times never felt so good
Sail on sugar
Good times never felt so good


Lyrics submitted by ruben

Sail On Lyrics as written by Lionel Richie

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Sail On song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

5 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is about him leaving the Commodores but masked as if its about a divorce or separation.

    "Sail on down the line About a half mile or so And I don’t really wanna know Where you’re goin’

    Maybe once or twice you see Time after time I’ve tried To hold on to what we’ve got But now you’re goin’

    Those verses refer to the creative differences and power struggles they were expericing at the time.

    "And I don’t mind ‘bout the things you’re gonna say, Lord I gave all my money and my time I know it’s a shame But I’m givin’ you back your name, yeah, yeah"

    Refers to he knows there will be hard feelings after he is gone and by giving back the name, he is giving back any ownership he had in the band.

    "Sail on down the line Ain’t it funny how the time can go All my friends say they told me so But it doesn’t matter

    It was plain to see That a small town boy like me Just wasn’t your cup of tea I was wishful thinking"

    Refers to friends that were telling him it was time to move on and start on his own.

    "I gave you my heart and I tried to make you happy And you gave me nothing in return You know it ain’t so hard to say Would you please just go away, yeah, yeah"

    Refers to he did everything he could for the band and felt like he was getting nothing back. He felt like they wanted him gone but didnt have the balls to tell him to leave.

    "I’ve thrown away the blues I’m tired of bein’ used I want everyone to know I’m lookin’ for a good time, good time"

    Refers to he is tired of stressing over the band and lost friendships and tired of getting used by the band. Lookin for a good time means he wants to enjoy the hard work he does and being with the Commodores, he wasnt having fun anymore.

    "Whoa, sail on, honey Good times never felt so good Sail on, honey Good times never felt so good"

    Sail On is basically him saying good luck and shows he has no ill feelings for being used or upset. He was mature is just saying, time to move on but Ill never forget the good times we had and that he would always remember the good times.

    acidsexon March 01, 2006   Link

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

Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
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”
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
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.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
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/
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Punchline
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.