The Long Way Around

Album: Taking The Long Way (2006)
Play Video
  • My friends from high school
    Married their high school boyfriends
    Moved into houses in the same ZIP codes
    Where their parents live

    But I, I could never follow
    No I, I could never follow

    I hit the highway in a pink RV with stars on the ceiling
    Lived like a gypsy
    Six strong hands on the steering wheel

    I've been a long time gone now
    Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
    But I've always found my way somehow

    By taking the long way
    Taking the long way around
    Taking the long way
    Taking the long way around

    I met the queen of whatever
    Drank with the Irish and smoked with the hippies
    Moved with the shakers
    Wouldn't kiss all the asses that they told me to

    No I, I could never follow
    No I, I could never follow

    It's been two long years now
    Since the top of the world came crashing down
    And I'm getting' it back on the road now

    But I'm taking the long way
    Taking the long way around
    I'm taking the long way
    Taking the long way around
    Oh I just take my time, I won't lie down
    And take the long way around

    Well, I fought with a stranger and I met myself
    I opened my mouth and I heard myself
    It can get pretty lonely when you show yourself
    Guess I could have made it easier on myself

    But I, I could never follow
    No I, I could never follow

    Well, I never seem to do it like anybody else
    Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
    If you ever want to find me I can still be found

    Taking the long way
    Taking the long way around
    Taking the long way
    Taking the long way around

    Taking the long way
    Taking the long way around
    Taking the long way
    Taking the long way around

    Taking the long way
    Taking the long way around
    Taking the long way
    Taking the long way around Writer/s: DAN WILSON, EMILY ROBISON, MARTHA MAGUIRE, NATALIE MAINES
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

  • Kenny Perschau from Juazeiro Do Norte, Ceara, BrazilI LOVE this song! Especially the live version - watching people react. To answer Daniel Chadwick about "the Queen of Whatever"; I think they were just making a snide remark about the actual role of Queen Elizabeth. What does she do? Queen of England, but she doesn't govern England. She's really just a symbol & a tourist attraction.
  • Daniel Chadwick from Burlington VtI love this song! Been able to look up or figure out most of the lyrics, but ... Does anyone know who "the Queen of Whatever" was?
  • Lorin Taylor from Norco, CaI'm so glad I finally looked this up. Been singing this song top of my lungs for years now and every time I sing six strong hands on the steering wheel I think I need to look into that. Now I feel a little silly bcuz it makes obvious sense. Duh! Another great job ladies. Thx
  • Valerie from None Of Ur Buisness!!, Bci kinda like this song... and Mackenzie, thats kinda interesting... =) =)
  • Mackenzie from Vacaville, CaThere are two references I noticed from other songs:
    "I've been long time gone now" and "it's been two long years now since the top of the world came crashing down"
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.