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Desperation Lyrics
When rain drops fall and you feel low
Ah, do you ever think it's useless?
Do you ever feel like letting go?
Do you ever sit and do you wonder
Will the world ever change?
And just how long will it take
To have it all rearranged?
Tell me why these things are still the same
Tell me why no one can seem to learn from mistakes
Take my hand if you don't know where you're goin'
I'll understand, I've lost the way myself
Oh, don't take that old road it leads to nowhere
We must leave before the clock strikes twelve
It's so easy to do nothin'
When you're busy night and day
Take a step in one direction
And take a step the other way
So don't stop tryin' when you stumble
Don't give up should you fall
Keep on searchin' for the passway
That will lead you through the wall
Don't look back or you'll be left behind
Don't look back or you will never find peace of mind
Ah, do you ever think it's useless?
Do you ever feel like letting go?
Do you ever sit and do you wonder
Will the world ever change?
And just how long will it take
To have it all rearranged?
Tell me why no one can seem to learn from mistakes
I'll understand, I've lost the way myself
Oh, don't take that old road it leads to nowhere
We must leave before the clock strikes twelve
When you're busy night and day
Take a step in one direction
And take a step the other way
So don't stop tryin' when you stumble
Don't give up should you fall
Keep on searchin' for the passway
That will lead you through the wall
Don't look back or you'll be left behind
Don't look back or you will never find peace of mind
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
He's asking the listener if they feel like life is hopeless. The chorus then offers solidarity, suggesting the listener shouldn't give up. The "old road" may mean suicide or self harm.
The second verse then recognises the monotony of life, suggesting first of all not to give up when problems arise, then to try something new and not to look back on your old way of life.
I believe the last few lines of this song may refer to John Kay's escape as a child from eastern Europe to the free world of the west. This was later shown in his autobiographical song, Renegade, from the album Steppenwolf 7.
Since this song was recorded during the Cold War, it may also refer to atomic war. "We must leave before the clock strikes twelve" is almost definitely a reference to the Doomsday clock, twelve meaning midnight and complete annihilation on the Doomsday clock.