it doesn't have to be this way
i know something
to take the corners off
and help you rock and roll
right down the road
and if you want to shape your brain
i know a substance
that gets rid of everything
and helps you rock and roll
out of control
who wants something real
we could have nothing
why not just give up
who wants to try
let go of the wheel
turn your ass over
come on take it
it's a simple ride
i never asked to feel this way
it's something that happened
you can just go with it, man
you can rock and roll
right down the road
if you take it day by day
don't try to fight it
you can do anything, yah
you can rock and roll
out of control
who wants something real
you could have nothing
why not just give up
who wants to try
let go of the wheel
turn your ass over
come on take it
it's a simple life
who wants something real
we could have nothing
why not just give up
who wants to try
let go of the wheel
turn your ass over
come on take it
it's a simple life
i take the key in my hand and it opens up the day
i take the key in my hand and it takes the pain away (hey hey)
i take the key in my hand and it opens up the day
i take the key in my hand and it takes the pain away (hey hey)
i take the key in my hand and it opens up the day
but if i had love i'd throw it all away
i know something
to take the corners off
and help you rock and roll
right down the road
i know a substance
that gets rid of everything
and helps you rock and roll
out of control
we could have nothing
why not just give up
who wants to try
let go of the wheel
turn your ass over
come on take it
it's a simple ride
it's something that happened
you can just go with it, man
you can rock and roll
right down the road
if you take it day by day
don't try to fight it
you can do anything, yah
you can rock and roll
out of control
you could have nothing
why not just give up
who wants to try
let go of the wheel
turn your ass over
come on take it
it's a simple life
we could have nothing
why not just give up
who wants to try
let go of the wheel
turn your ass over
come on take it
it's a simple life
i take the key in my hand and it takes the pain away (hey hey)
i take the key in my hand and it opens up the day
i take the key in my hand and it takes the pain away (hey hey)
i take the key in my hand and it opens up the day
but if i had love i'd throw it all away
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The meaning of this song is letting go and accepting life. However, once you have love you throw it all away because your emotions are there and being in love is worth the ride!
just one thing here, it's "it's a simple life" not ride.
xo- Christopher Owens
i hope this song is on the second album.
which i am eagerly awaiting.
perhaps it will be called "vinyl".
Does anyone have an idea of what the last part means?
I take the key in my hand....etc.
That has to be a reference to the use of substance (takes the pain away, opens up the day)
But I can't seem to find a correlation between a key in a hand and drugs.
Is it just an analogy, like sobriety is something that is unlocked by a key, and that key is substances?
Or is a key in your hand some drug lingo I don't understand?
Yes, it's a reference to substance use. The song opens with someone (his inner monologue?) suggesting that a substance will take the edge off, make everything easier, etc. The substance is the key to this carefree life (or the illusion thereof, as the lyrics "you could have nothing," "just give up," and the final line suggest).
Yes, it's a reference to substance use. The song opens with someone (his inner monologue?) suggesting that a substance will take the edge off, make everything easier, etc. The substance is the key to this carefree life (or the illusion thereof, as the lyrics "you could have nothing," "just give up," and the final line suggest).
There is also car-related imagery throughout the song, such as "down the road," "let go of the wheel," "simple ride," and taking the key is a continuation of this.
There is also car-related imagery throughout the song, such as "down the road," "let go of the wheel," "simple ride," and taking the key is a continuation of this.
The word "key" is also...
The word "key" is also loaded with drug entendres, as others stated, such as slang for a kilo or the practice of using a key to scoop the substance. Though he's probably not literally talking about a kilo of anything in his hand, these connotations add an extra layer of depth to the lyrics.
you snort cocaine with a key, that's all
you snort cocaine with a key, that's all
by "key" he's referring to a kilo
I doubt he's referring to a kilo, that amount of any substance ain't exactly for daily personal use.
I doubt he's referring to a kilo, that amount of any substance ain't exactly for daily personal use.
I think he's literally talking about a key - getting up, using it to open the front door and start his day. Girls' always sing about leading a ghost life, giving up, sitting around doing nothing, wallowing in their pity. I think he's saying he makes the pain stop by sucking it up and going on with his day (which is, in a way, numbing it with a substance). When he sings "But if I had love, I'd throw it all away",...
I think he's literally talking about a key - getting up, using it to open the front door and start his day. Girls' always sing about leading a ghost life, giving up, sitting around doing nothing, wallowing in their pity. I think he's saying he makes the pain stop by sucking it up and going on with his day (which is, in a way, numbing it with a substance). When he sings "But if I had love, I'd throw it all away", I see it as him saying that he'd throw away everything he's built for himself to give himself a sense of purpose - a job, hobbies, groups of friends to spend time with - for the substance he sings about in the verses, which is love.
It's whatever you want, though.
it's much more literal than that, he's refering to the method of taking the substance. using a key to dip into the bag/inhale off the key is common practice.
it's much more literal than that, he's refering to the method of taking the substance. using a key to dip into the bag/inhale off the key is common practice.
Two comments:
its about cocaine, tongue in cheek. you snort cocaine with a key, but he's making a beautiful analogy about it
Beautiful song! The meaning is simple: it's all in the last lyric. He's saying that he uses drugs to feel high, to feel free, to be able to rock'n'roll all the way, but at the same time he knows it's not good, nor a pure way to do so. Only love is.
Everyone here has blindly accepted the whole "drugs are bad, mmmkay?" line.
This song is not anti drug or depressing. I don't see it as specifically about cocaine (an unquestionably terrible drug) at all, that doesn't open any doors. Hallucinogens do. It feels like I always do when trying to convince girls to do drugs. I know it will be fun and beneficial for them, but I know I'm doing it primarily to get them to loosen up, understand me, and ultimately sleep with me. Thus the sleepy "common, just try it" tone, with a mix of guilt for being dishonest and being convinced that the singer is correct.
And he's saying that if he fell in love that would transcend any high, and it does. A beautiful message.
the song is about opiates. Christopher has mentioned a battle with opiates in recent interviews and bio pieces on the band. I wish him luck in his recovery as he is a great singer and songwriter. I also think its really awesome that he is a member here at SongMeanings and takes the time out of his day to post here with corrections or some insight to what his songs are about.