Chasing The Wild Goose

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Details

Written by:	Brett Gurewitz
Released in:	1983
BPM:

Lyrics

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There was a man who banged his head against a wall,
He banged for 20 years, the damn thing wouldn't fall.
He left an honest life, he left a broken wife,
He left it all behind, just to see what he could find.

Millions and millions chase the wild goose tonight.
To conquer loneliness they'll chase it all their lives,
And when they find it they can just lay down and die.
It seems the game is mostly pointless in the presence of the prize.

There was a woman who had a man as cold as ice,
He built four walls so strong and he kept her locked inside.
She harbored loneliness, her husband couldn't guess,
That she'd take off her dress and kill herself without a mess.

Millions and millions chase the wild goose tonight.
To conquer loneliness they'll chase it all their lives,
And when they find it they can just lay down and die.
It seems the game is mostly pointless in the presence of the prize.

Versions

Version	Length	Release	Catalog ID	Country	Format	Year
Album version
	2:50	Into The Unknown		United States	12"	2018
	2:50	Into The Unknown	87120-1 // EPI-BRLP2	United States	12"	2010
	2:50	Into The Unknown	EPI-BRLP 02	United States	12"	1983
	2:50	Into The Unknown	EPI-BRLP2	United States	12"	1983
*Not specified*
	2:48	Into The Unknown	N/A	United States	8-Track	2018
	2:48	Into The Unknown	n/a	United States	CD	2004
		Into The Unknown	epi-bripcd1 \| EPI-BRCD	United States	CD	2004
	2:48	Into The Unknown		United States	CD	1994
	2:48	Into The Unknown	BT 012	Germany	12"	1992
	2:48	Into The Unknown	DDR-CD-001	France	CD	1992
		Into The Unknown	BT 012	Germany	CD	1992

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Song interpretations (4)

billygnosisoz80 Incomplete Location: Parts unknown Status: Offline Posts: 1	Quote The second verse reminds me of a Kris Kristopherson tune about a woman unhappy with where she is in life. I think that's what this is about, being unhappy or not content with what you've got and looking further a field for something more to satisfy what is, basically missing. The Wild Goose in this case could be anything, drugs, freedom, desire whatever. The bloke in the first verse is in my mind, looking for something more- maybe he's trapped in a shitty job or marriage, and finally decides to gamble on the chance that something out there is better. Like I said, I love this album and all of the songs on it. 07/22/2009 at 01:39 The second verse reminds me of a Kris Kristopherson tune about a woman unhappy with where she is in life. I think that's what this is about, being unhappy or not content with what you've got and looking further a field for something more to satisfy what is, basically missing. The Wild Goose in this case could be anything, drugs, freedom, desire whatever. The bloke in the first verse is in my mind, looking for something more- maybe he's trapped in a shitty job or marriage, and finally decides to gamble on the chance that something out there is better. Like I said, I love this album and all of the songs on it.
Nicky Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote This song is mainly about drug addiction and the fact that the "Wild Goose" is just a feeling that will go away, so they just end up shooting up or smoking what they can get their hands on so they can get the same feeling. "They'll chase it all their lives, and when they find it they can just lay down and die it seems the game is mostly pointless" 04/08/2005 at 18:29 This song is mainly about drug addiction and the fact that the "Wild Goose" is just a feeling that will go away, so they just end up shooting up or smoking what they can get their hands on so they can get the same feeling. "They'll chase it all their lives, and when they find it they can just lay down and die it seems the game is mostly pointless"
Octyldodecanol Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote I think this song is about generally happiness in life. The first part is about the "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"-phenomenon ("he left it all behind, just to see what he could find"); for some reason, we risk everything to get more, but usually we just end up losing everything what we had. Second part (chorus) could be about of finding peace of mind. (and that equals to happiness). Peace of mind is impossible to have when you're alive. If you're dead, you're not thinking of anything, then you'll have it.. ("when they find it they can just lay down and die"). Last part ("she'd take off her dress and kill herself without a mess.") is about getting yourself that peace of mind. When you yourself, you'll get it, because then you don't have to worry about tomorrow. 01/15/2005 at 13:27 I think this song is about generally happiness in life. The first part is about the "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"-phenomenon ("he left it all behind, just to see what he could find"); for some reason, we risk everything to get more, but usually we just end up losing everything what we had. Second part (chorus) could be about of finding peace of mind. (and that equals to happiness). Peace of mind is impossible to have when you're alive. If you're dead, you're not thinking of anything, then you'll have it.. ("when they find it they can just lay down and die"). Last part ("she'd take off her dress and kill herself without a mess.") is about getting yourself that peace of mind. When you yourself, you'll get it, because then you don't have to worry about tomorrow.
Anthony Cauterucci Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote When I listen to this song I feel that the 'Wild Goose' could be either the truth about religions or gods, that is impossible to find. It equally could be determined as a soul-mate in life which is what I infer from the lyrics 'He left a broken wife' and 'To conquer loneliness they'll chase it all their lives', and saying that finding that soul-mate is like chasing a wild goose, impossible to catch. 07/11/2004 at 11:24 When I listen to this song I feel that the 'Wild Goose' could be either the truth about religions or gods, that is impossible to find. It equally could be determined as a soul-mate in life which is what I infer from the lyrics 'He left a broken wife' and 'To conquer loneliness they'll chase it all their lives', and saying that finding that soul-mate is like chasing a wild goose, impossible to catch.