18 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
All The Way To Reno (You're Gonna Be A Star) Lyrics
Humming
All the way to Reno
Dusted the non-believers
And challenge the laws of chance
Now sweet
You're so sugar sweet
You may as well have 'kick me'
Fastened on your sleeve
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star.
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
Wing is written on your feet
Your Achilles heel
Is the tendency to dream
But you've know that from the beginning
You didn't have to go so far
You didn't have to go.
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star.
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
You know who you are
You know who you are
You know who you are
Humming
All the way to Reno
You've written your own directions
And whistles the rules have changed
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star (star)
You know what you are,
You're gonna be a star (star)
You know what you are,
You're gonna be a star (star)
You know what you are,
You're gonna be a star (star)
Humming
All the way to Reno
All the way to Reno
All the way to Reno
You're gonna be a star
You're gonna be a star
You're gonna be a star
You're gonna be a star
All the way to Reno
Dusted the non-believers
And challenge the laws of chance
You're so sugar sweet
You may as well have 'kick me'
Fastened on your sleeve
You're gonna be a star.
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
Your Achilles heel
Is the tendency to dream
But you've know that from the beginning
You didn't have to go so far
You didn't have to go.
You're gonna be a star.
You know what you are
You're gonna be a star
You know who you are
You know who you are
All the way to Reno
You've written your own directions
And whistles the rules have changed
You're gonna be a star (star)
You know what you are,
You're gonna be a star (star)
You know what you are,
You're gonna be a star (star)
You know what you are,
You're gonna be a star (star)
All the way to Reno
All the way to Reno
All the way to Reno
You're gonna be a star
You're gonna be a star
You're gonna be a star
You're gonna be a star
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
I think it is leaping to conclusions to say the song is about how 'foolish' people can be if they think they're gonna be a star by going to Reno. I don't believe that is what the song is saying. Stipe is undoubtedly talking about the innocence of youth, perhaps arrogance (dusted the non believers ).
But he does not say you're a fool for dreaming. Far from it. He is saying you are a dreamer and so be it, but you are following these dreams. He is simply saying some people take that blind leap of faith which many do not. I read it and think Stipe is pleased, almost envious, of this person because they are following their dreams. It is the thoughts of a dreamer with ambitions, who knows where they ended up...
@HaroldErwin Agree with much of what you say. Though he also does say this (and it's my favourite line in the song): "Your Achilles' heel, Is the tendency, To dream" Which hints at probable failure?
@HaroldErwin Agree with much of what you say. Though he also does say this (and it's my favourite line in the song): "Your Achilles' heel, Is the tendency, To dream" Which hints at probable failure?
Ah, the naivete of youth... Anyone who goes to Reno hoping to be a star truly is naive, after all.
it's sort of got the same meaning as the chili peppers californication. its about young people (who in this case go to reno instead of l.a.) who think they'll be big stars, but instead end up as big failures.
I love the video for this song. Very cool.
One phrase that bothers me:
"You didn't have to go so far You didn't have to go."
Does he mean, that in order to achieve something, you don't have to completely leave your home, cross 2000 miles, forget everybody and etc.? If someone could elaborate on this.
I believe this song is very positive though. - It's not only the lyrics. But also as a non-native English reader I may not get it all.
This song is surreal, very surreal. Wait until the two by four of reality smashes you headlong back into it. I am reminded of being on a high when I hear this song. Michael Stipe is an excellent songwriter.
Video is indeed very cool!
This song gives me mixed feelings though
I heard somewhere this song is about Tony Joe White. Perhaps someone can explain this further cause i cant
I heard somewhere this song is about Tony Joe White. Perhaps someone can explain this further cause i cant
I love this song because of how well R.E.M. portrays how naive one can be in their youth. By thinking that if they go to Reno, as R.E.M. say "You're gonna be a star".