The Ballad of El Goodo

Album: #1 Record (1972)
Play Video
  • Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
    But I've been trying hard against unbelievable odds
    It gets so hard in times like now to hold on
    The guns they wait to be stuck by
    At my side is God

    And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round

    There's people around who tell you that they know
    The places where they send you, and it's easy to go
    They'll zip you up and dress you down
    And stand you in a row
    But you know you don't have to
    You could just say no

    And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round

    I've been built up and trusted
    Broke down and busted
    But they'll get theirs and we'll get ours
    Just if we can
    Just, ah, hold on
    Hold on
    Hold on
    Hold on

    Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
    And I've been trying hard against strong odds
    It gets so hard in times like now to hold on
    Well, I'll fall if I don't fight
    And at my side is God

    And there ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Ain't no one going to turn me 'round
    Hold on
    Hold on
    Hold on
    Hold on Writer/s: Alex Chilton, Christopher Bell
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Al from Baltimore, MdIt's hard to find a more heartfelt song than "The Ballad of El Goodo". Alex Chilton pours his heart and soul into this one because, I believe, it's a theme that really matters to him. Yes, the theme is Vietnam and more specifically finding ways to stay out of it. I get the feeling that he is writing about a friend who was a draft resistor, who maybe had to go to Canada, maybe got arrested, maybe got beat up by police. But he knows he's doing the right thing. I also get the feeling that the friend has just returned and is sitting down with Alex over a beer and filling him in. Any way, that's my explanatin Nad I think it holds water. Love the song, and by the way, if you are in a band, it is really fun to play.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"