The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Get the idea cross around the track
Underneath the flank of thoroughbred racing chasers.
Getting the feel as a river flows.
Would you like to go 'n shoot the mountain masses?
And here you stand no taller than the grass sees.
And should you really chase so hard.
The truth of sport plays rings around you.
Going for the one
Going for the one
Get in the way as the tons of water
Racing with you crashing through the rudder.
Once at the start you can gamble
That you really surely really mean to finish.
After seeing all your sense of fear diminish.
As you treat danger a pure collection.
As you throw away misconceptions.
Going for the one.
Going for the one.
Going for a
Listen in time
Taken so high
To touch to move
Listen to life
Touching touch time
Travel twilight
Taken so high.
Roundabout, sounding out, love you so
Love you so
Love you so
Now the verses I've sang
Don't add much weight to the story in my head
So I'm thinking I should go and write a punch line.
But they're so hard to find
In my cosmic mind
So I think I'll take a look out of the window.
When I think about you
I don't feel low.
N'should I really chase so hard.
The truth of sport plays rings around you.
Going for the one.
Going for the one.
Going for to
Listen in time
Taken so high
To touch to move
Listen to life
Touching touch time
Travel twilight
Taken so high
Taking your time
Turn on to love
Turnstile to one
Tender timing
Rocking rolling
Listen in time
Taken so high
To touch to move
Listen to life
Touching touchtime
Travel twilight
Taken so high
Taking your time
Turn on to love
Turnstile to one
Tender timing
Rocking rolling
Turn on to love
Turnstile to one
Tender timing
Rocking rolling
Moments decide.
Moments delight.
Moments in flight.
Talk about sending love.
Underneath the flank of thoroughbred racing chasers.
Getting the feel as a river flows.
Would you like to go 'n shoot the mountain masses?
And here you stand no taller than the grass sees.
And should you really chase so hard.
The truth of sport plays rings around you.
Going for the one
Going for the one
Get in the way as the tons of water
Racing with you crashing through the rudder.
Once at the start you can gamble
That you really surely really mean to finish.
After seeing all your sense of fear diminish.
As you treat danger a pure collection.
As you throw away misconceptions.
Going for the one.
Going for the one.
Going for a
Listen in time
Taken so high
To touch to move
Listen to life
Touching touch time
Travel twilight
Taken so high.
Roundabout, sounding out, love you so
Love you so
Love you so
Now the verses I've sang
Don't add much weight to the story in my head
So I'm thinking I should go and write a punch line.
But they're so hard to find
In my cosmic mind
So I think I'll take a look out of the window.
When I think about you
I don't feel low.
N'should I really chase so hard.
The truth of sport plays rings around you.
Going for the one.
Going for the one.
Going for to
Listen in time
Taken so high
To touch to move
Listen to life
Touching touch time
Travel twilight
Taken so high
Taking your time
Turn on to love
Turnstile to one
Tender timing
Rocking rolling
Listen in time
Taken so high
To touch to move
Listen to life
Touching touchtime
Travel twilight
Taken so high
Taking your time
Turn on to love
Turnstile to one
Tender timing
Rocking rolling
Turn on to love
Turnstile to one
Tender timing
Rocking rolling
Moments decide.
Moments delight.
Moments in flight.
Talk about sending love.
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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We must remember that Jon Anderson's lyrics are 99% metaphorical. That is his genius. To me, Going For The One isn't about competing to be #1 in sports, it is about striving to become One with the Universe, or possibly striving to be the #1 religion. Sometimes we are chasing around a track trying to decide which religion is best: Christianity vs. Buddhism vs. Taoism, etc. The truth is no one dog will win the race: "the truth of sport runs rings around you" means the truth is that none of these religions are the sole source of Wisdom. Jon Andersom rejected organized religion as his guide for life. So, you cannot be One with the Universe if you only choose one way of viewing the Universe. The references to shooting the rapids are that you sometimes must let go and follow the river current: life will take you where it takes you and it is important to embrace the journey "After seeing all your sense of fear diminished and you treat danger as pure collection and throw away misconception". Some people are afraid to listen to a source outside of their church. The person in pursuit of the truth needs to steer his own raft instead of being guided by others. "Travel Twilight", may mean explore Death, or the darker sides of Life. You cannot understand Life without understanding Death. "Travel Twilight" may also mean look at what they are not telling you. Some organized religions shy away from questions that challenge their philosophy. "Moments unite": we have moments in our lives when we can learn so much about existence if we are paying attention and open to receiving the lesson. "Love you so". The ultimate goal of spirituality is to be able to connect with others through Love and Acceptance. "Once at the start can you gamble that you really truly really mean to finish" to me means, once you start questioning, are you ready to accept the answers you find if those answers contradict what you have been raised to believe as the Truth? "Throw away Misconception" is throwing away the false view that was given most of us by our churches. By looking at the lyrics this way, it is easier to see the remaining lyrics of this song as Jon Anderson continuing his expression of understanding our existence outside from what is taught through organized religion. The ultimate goal, still, "Talk about sending Love", not condeminig non-believers. How many of us have had someone tell us that if we don't believe, and if we are not saved, our souls are in jeopardy? We are coaxed with a fear-based threat to join Christianity. We should be determining our spiritual viewpoints out of Love for others, not out of Fear for our own soul. Jon Anderson has consistently written songs that transcend the views of any one religion and Going For The One is no exception. And that is why I love Yes.
@PsYcLONe Expanding my interpetation: "Should I really chase so hard": Jon Anderson has realized it is often just as futile to make others accept his enlightened views as it is for others to make him accept their views. Again, "the truth of sport plays rings around you": our goal may be to help others, but there is no way to convince everyone that any single view is right, so we are often just wasting our time. "Rocking, rolling" may refer to being the one who "rocks the boat" by questioning what we are told never to question in church. Jon is therefore saying "by all means, rock the boat and roll and shake up the complacency of religion. Or, he can be metaphorically saying to enjoy the thrilling spiritual journey of pursuing the truth, which does not include being complacent with what someone tells you.
Lastly: :Moments decide, Moments delight, Moments in Flight". Again,there are certain moments when we gain special insight through experience, conversation, reflection...moments that bring us closer to understanding the true nature of existence. Moments can decide how we believe, moments can delight us as they help crystallize our thinking or open us to new understanding, and these moments are gone quickly (in flight) and can be easily overlooked if we are not paying attention.