My road is long, it lingers on
You stare at me, and I’m holding on
My eyes are dim, my breath is weak
And tears stain my cheeks
Up there so high
Where the air is so thin
You look for signs, am I giving in?
All for me you bring crashing down
And still you condemn me
Oh no, no shame
All my life
I’ll not betray
I’ll not shed one tear
All my life
Forever more, forever more
Ow!
Sound towers will crumble down (O-o-ow!)
I see everything is broken down
His heart is breaking
Recorded in sound (O-o-ow!)
We need a miracle joy
We need a miracle boy
A rock ‘n’ roll toy
A rock ‘n’ roll joy
A rock ‘n’ roll boy
Now I know what’s up for gain
What’s up for grabs
What’s down again
See all for me is crashing down
The end of everything
Every decent human being
Oh no, no shame
All my life
I’ll not betray
I’ll shed all my fears
All my life
Forever more, forever more
Wow!
Sound towers will crumble down, yeah
Well, everything will be broken down
See his heart is breaking
Recorded in sound, yeah
We need a miracle joy
We need a rock ‘n’ roll boy
I need a rock ‘n’ roll joy
A rock ‘n’ roll toy
A rock ‘n’ roll boy
[?] The road is long, it lingers on
But my eyes are dim
My breath is weak
And tears stain my filthy cheeks
Sound towers will crumble down, ooh yeah
I see everything is broken down
Well my heart is breaking and
Recorded in sound, yeah
I need a miracle joy
I need a miracle now
A rock ‘n’ roll boy
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, I’m hanging on a miracle tree
Yeah, hanging like a noose
For you and me (O-o-ow!)
Yeah
Say yeah, right now
Unraveling the Long Road: An Interpretation
“Worlds Forgotten Boy” by Billy Idol delves into the journey of resilience and self-discovery amid adversity. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a protagonist who, despite feeling weary and emotionally burdened, refuses to be consumed by shame or betrayal. Idol’s evocative lines like “my breath is weak, and tears stain my cheeks” capture vulnerability, while the repeated cries for a “rock ‘n’ roll boy” and “miracle joy” suggest a yearning for salvation or renewal. The crumbling “sound towers” and broken surroundings symbolize the collapse of old foundations, hinting at the need for transformation. Ultimately, the song is a defiant anthem about enduring hardships and seeking hope in the face of destruction.
Song Credits
Artist: Billy Idol
Songwriters: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens
Release Year: 1986
Label: Chrysalis Records