A Life Of Illusion

Album: There Goes The Neighborhood (1981)
Charted: 34
Play Video
  • Sometimes, I can't help the feeling that I'm
    Living a life of illusion
    And oh, why can't we let it be
    And see through the hole in this wall of confusion
    I just can't help the feeling, I'm living a life of illusion

    Pow! Right between the eyes
    Oh, how nature loves her little surprises
    Wow, it all seems so logical now
    It's just one of her better disguises
    And it comes with no warning, nature loves her little surprises
    Continual crisis

    Hey, don't you know it's a waste of your day
    Caught up in endless solutions
    That have no meaning
    Just another hunch
    Based upon jumping conclusions
    Caught up in endless solutions
    Backed up against a wall of confusion
    Living a life of illusion Writer/s: Joseph F. Walsh, Kenneth R. Passarelli
    Publisher: Regard Music, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Songtrust Ave
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 11

  • Manny from EarthThis song is the the magnum opus admission of our illusionary reality that has been forced on us.

    It has three verses, just like the three eyes we have, our two physical eyes, represented by the first and last verse, and the third eye, our pineal gland which is represented by the central verse. Just like the third eye/pineal gland is located between our two physical eyes, the second verse is located in the middle of the first and third verse.

    In the second verse, the third eye verse, he clearly states POW! right between the eyes, oh how nature loves her little surprises. These lines are literally about opening your third eye, or having kundalini awakening. For most people it comes on suddenly and is the supreme surprise of nature because it changes your core understanding of everything.

    WOW! It all seems so logical now. It's just one of her better disguises. Again these lines are literally about how once you have a true awakening, everything becomes extremely logically, and the understanding that all the truth of the nature of our existence has been hidden, or disguised.

    He repeats it comes with no warning, nature loves her little surprises.

    Lastly he follows up with continual crisis. This is the method that nature has been disguised. Ordo Ab Chao. Order out of chaos. The powers that control our world fabricate crisis and provide us with the solution as a means to keep us completely disconnected with the true nature of our spiritual nature. Everyone is continually bombarded crisis.

    Joe Walsh and the larger music industry as a whole are all aware of exactly what the true nature of this place is and have sold out the majority of the human race for fame and fortune. They put it right in our faces and yet we are too blind to see what they are actually saying. It is time to wake up.
  • Diana from St.p.This song was my 'ear worm' of the day, kinda suits my thoughts lol.. Been looking for it's story and meaning, so thanks a lot!
  • A77white from Smyrna, Tn 37167 UsaI have a question about the opening instrumental guitar or bass riff that is repeated twice at the beginning of the song and repeated one or two more times in the song. Here's my question: I think I vaguely remember hearing that little ditty somewhere in my past. I think it was played by high school bands at football games. Do you know anything about the opening riff?
  • Annie from Washington, DcLove this song!! It appeared in the movie Bloody Nose Empty Pockets and it couldn't have been placed better <3
  • William Ken from NashvilleExcellent song!! Always liked Joe Walsh.
  • Jim from PittsburghRemember when this song was released... was very Surprised to hear it in the 40 year old virgin. I had the album in '81... it's called there goes the neighborhood. A bunch of other great songs on that LP as well.
  • Bazzaman from Johnson, VtOne of Joe's best, but then again, he has a lot of those to my tastes!
  • Jim from Philadelphia, PaI heard this song the other day, and I immediately became captivated by it tune and lyrics. I especially enjoy the Mariachi Trumpets - great stuff!
  • Tony from Chicago, IlI first heard this song in the 40-year old virgin, I 've loved ever since!!!
  • Jess from Melbourne, AustraliaFoo Fighters covered this. it's a bside to one of their singles. Taylor the drummer sings it.
  • Justin from Georgetown, Inthe intro this song is amazing
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Keith Reid of Procol Harum

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.