I got this great idea about why I got stuck in reverse
I was so out of control it just got worse
I hope you got more sense than I, side step the curse
I don't know which came first
In the spiral threatening my survival
It's come, time to get down

It's time to get down
Boots to the ground
Know we don't stop 'til they hear the bell sound
Keep your head up
Cause the truth just cut
No quick fix when I'm caught in a rut
What I got to do to get right size
Think I'm despised when I look through the eyes
Of another
Not mine to discover
What the next man think is none of my fucking business

And then I say what is this
Illusion I can't fix it
You name it, hey
The story stays the same
Any trouble you can name
Just goes straight into accepted
You name it, hey

It's time to get down
To the ground
So simple yet profound
In the now
Is why we're here
Inspiration
I've been waiting all my life
I'm set free, it's happened
I won't look back and think twice
It's how it's meant to be
Something's happened
A sudden slap in the right place
In my face, I thank you
You always came through for me
It's how it's meant to be

Gonna get down because I can't stay high
All of the time, cause I see the sign
So I re-align with an open mind
Adamant and circumvent
I get by every night and day
Get by with my comfort way
An Open space to an open way
I just unwind, I just unwind

And then I say what is this
Illusion I can't fix it
You name it, hey
The story stays the same
Any trouble you can name
Just goes straight into accepted
You name it, hey

It's time to get down
To the ground
So simple yet profound
In the now
Is why we're here

Inspiration
I've been waiting all my life
I'm set free, it's happened
I won't look back and think twice
It's how it's meant to be
Something's happened
A sudden slap in the right place
In my face, I thank you
You always came through for me
It's how it's meant to be


Lyrics submitted by jbond311

Get Down Lyrics as written by Douglas Martinez Nicholas Hexum

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Get Down song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • +2
    Song Meaning

    What an amazing, inspiring song with lyrics that deserve a second look for anyone wanting to live a meaningful life. It's about taking action and getting down to business when inspiration hits you. I've noticed that they've written some songs in the form of advice and this is one of them. The song guides us through the entire range of emotions when someone is inspired yet self sabotages for one reason or another. It takes us through realization, shame and awakening. Realization is within the first paragraph of the lyrics where he makes the realization that he's living an unfulfilled life. He tells us that we know better "I hope you got more sense than I, side step the curse". He then moves to shame "Think I'm despised when I look through the eyes of another" and how we feel shame or small when we know we should be taking action yet we procrastinate. Finally, he takes us to acceptance and an awakening "Something's happened A sudden slap in the right place In my face, I thank you" which brings us to the way things should be, an inspirational life. Also, the chorus talks about self sabotage and the stories we tell ourselves to justify our lack of initiative "Illusion I can't fix it You name it, hey The story stays the same" and how we have the ability in this moment to change our mind "Any trouble you can name Just go straight into accepted" All around, it's a profound and powerful song with advice that we should all heed.

    aztecrhinoon May 30, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Inspiration I've been waiting all my life I'm set free, it happened I won't look back and think twice It's How it's meant to be Something's happened A sudden slap in the right place In my face, I thank you You always came through for me It's how it's meant to be WOW! i was overwhelmed the first time i heard this. firstly, i feel the lyrics here are a bit off. between 311's lyric page, this one, and hearing the actual song, though, you can get a good idea of what the guys were trying to portray. i think it's interesting to note this is a bonus track. look at this from the POV of Nick. i believe the song speaks to the inspiration that is received in performance and the energy felt by 311 in it's purist environment:on stage. this album displays their talents in a new light, down to musical harmonic perfection (thanks to Bob) and encourages growth. one line i do want to point out that i see to be off: "and then i say what is this illusion? i CAN fix it, hey. just go straight into 'accept it' " and think about Nick's newborn daughter, Echo, as his inspiration in this song and it takes on a different kinda look, no better or worse, just a new spin :)

    hexumsprotegeon October 10, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Lately this song has gotten so much into me and gave inspiration to put my mind and heart in the things I do. aztecrhino hits the nail in the head with this description. I just want to add an explanation to the part where SA sings, which is my favorite of the song and I find it like the one which gives meaning to the whole song in just one paragraph: Gonna get down because I can't stay high all of the time -> we have to realize that is not ok to do things the way we are used to do them because it will not be ok for us. cause I see the sign so I realign with an open mind ->once we are aware we are wrong we have to change the way we live our lives. Adamant and circumvent ->we have to be unshakable in our determination and beat our problems through cleverness and wit I get by every night and day get by with my comfort way open space to an open way -> Enjoy the life and stay positive I just unwind, just unwind -> Stop the worries and just chill out!

    me_a_rude_boyon June 29, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    "It's boots to the ground."

    bornofdesire32on June 21, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Song's about breaking out of a slump or depression, and getting back to the higher positive conciousness...

    This song got me out of a slump when this album dropped...

    big311fanon April 30, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "Don't get high - get down. Lay down the weed, fans. Please be smarter than I have been. It's basically gonna kill ya"

    Hassuson June 19, 2010   Link

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