Don't Stop Believing
Journey of Hope: Anthem Lights' 'Don't Stop Believing' Explained
Lyrics
Just a small town girl
Expresses the narrator as a person from a small town.
Living in a lonely world
Describes the narrator living in a world that feels isolated or lonely.
Took the midnight train going anywhere
Narrator took a spontaneous journey on a midnight train without a specific destination.
Just a city boy
Introduces another character, a city boy.
Born and raised in South Detroit
Describes the city boy as being from South Detroit.
Took the midnight train going anywhere
City boy also took a spontaneous midnight train journey.
A singer in a smoky room
Introduces a singer in a smoky room, setting a scene in a bar or club.
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
Describes the atmosphere with the smell of wine and cheap perfume.
For a smile they can share the night
The singer is looking for a connection, even if just for a moment of happiness.
It goes on and on and on and on
Repetition emphasizes the continuous nature of the night and the experiences.
Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard
Describes strangers waiting along the boulevard, building a sense of anticipation.
Shadows searching in the night
Suggests a sense of mystery with shadows searching in the night.
Streetlights people
Refers to people under streetlights, possibly emphasizing a shared experience.
Living just to find emotion
People living with the goal of finding emotion or meaning in their lives.
Hiding, somewhere in the night
Suggests that some emotions are hidden or elusive, existing somewhere in the night.
Working hard to get my fill
Narrator is working hard to achieve personal fulfillment.
Everybody wants a thrill
Reflects a desire for excitement and thrills in life.
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Expresses a willingness to take risks by paying anything to roll the dice.
Just one more time
Desires one more chance or experience.
Some will win, some will lose
Acknowledges that outcomes in life vary—some win, some lose.
Some were born to sing the blues
Recognizes that some people are destined to face challenges and hardships.
Oh, the movie never ends
Metaphorically states that life's journey is ongoing, like a movie with no end.
It goes on and on and on and on
Repetition emphasizes the perpetual nature of life's journey.
Don't stop believing hold on to the feeling
Encourages perseverance and belief in positive feelings despite challenges.
Streetlights people don't stop believing
Reiterates the message to hold on to hope and positive emotions.
Hold on to the feeling streetlights people
Restates the connection between people under streetlights and the message of perseverance.
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