Album: Volume One (1988)

Charted: 52 63

License This Song 

• Well, it's alright, ridin' around in the breeze
  Well, it's alright, if you live the life you please
  Well, it's alright, doin' the best you can
  Well, it's alright, as long as you lend a hand
  
  You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring (at the end of the line)
  Waiting for someone to tell you everything (at the end of the line)
  Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring (at the end of the line)
  Maybe a diamond ring
  
  Well, it's alright, even if they say you're wrong
  Well, it's alright, sometimes you gotta be strong
  Well, it's alright, as long as you got somewhere to lay
  Well, it's alright, everyday is judgment day
  
  Maybe somewhere down the road a ways (at the end of the line)
  You'll think of me and wonder where I am these days (at the end of the line)
  Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays (at the end of the line)
  Purple Haze
  
  Well, it's alright, even when push comes to shove
  Well, it's alright, if you got someone to love
  Well, it's alright, everything'll work out fine
  Well, it's alright, we're going to the end of the line
  
  Don't have to be ashamed of the car I drive (at the end of the line)
  I'm just glad to be here, happy to be alive (at the end of the line)
  And it don't matter if you're by my side (at the end of the line)
  I'm satisfied
  
  Well, it's alright, even if you're old and grey
  Well, it's alright, you still got something to say
  Well, it's alright, remember to live and let live
  Well, it's alright, the best you can do is forgive
  
  Well, it's alright (alright), riding around on the breeze
  Well, it's alright (alright), if you live the life you please
  Well, it's alright, even if the sun don't shine
  Well, it's alright (alright), we're going to the end of the line Writer/s: George Harrison, Jeffrey Lynne, Robert Dylan, Roy Kelton Orbison, Thomas Earl Petty
  Publisher: BMG Rights Management
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 13

• R. Bruce Trites from BcThe sad fact about "The End of The Line" is that George, Tom and Roy have all passed.
• Jill from Atlanta, GaJoe from Grant's Pass OR - No one mentions Ringo because he had absolutely nothing to do with the Wilburys. They almost never mention Jeff Lynne on drums as most folks generally assume that Jim Keltner was their only drummer. But Handle With Care had been recorded quickly as a George Harrison song, to be used as a throwaway B-side one one of his Cloud Nine singles. Keltner wasn't available on short notice to come drum it, so Jeff added the drums on that song only.
• Lin from Minneapolis MnWhat does the term "Purple Haze" refer to in The End of the Line lyrics?
• Mafunzalo from ColoradoI listen to it over and over. Every time I do, pickup something new.
• Jim Bob from Austin, TxI’m 72 and my two best friends recently died. They came to the end of the line. The song gave me solace and a sense of how to live the rest of my life. I have listened to it over and over.
• Danno from IllinoisWhere was the album art pic taken? Looks like the train station in Lincoln illinois
• AnonymousWell, which one of em wrote the song!
  Tom took all the verses my guts he did really wanna know who wrote what’s maybe the best song ever made.
• Paul Hightower from Albany, OregonCould this song be about the artists know they are older and on their way to their death or end of the line?
• Bobby Todaro from Holbrook, NyI always looked upon 'End Of The Line' not as a railroad terminus, but as a metaphor for Life. Not everybody rides a train, but we all eventually reach the 'end of the line,' so live your life the best you can!
• Neel from IndiaPurple Haze? Hendrix reference?
• Joe from Grants Pass, OrWhy does no one mention Ringo or Jeff Lynne on drums ??
• Ken from Louisville, KyThe drummer, seen in the video, is Jim Keltner, a well known 70's and 80's drummer who worked with George, John and Ringo (and many many others). He's listed as a Wilbury "cousin".
• Jfv from Philadelphia, PaEvery member except Dylan shares lead vocals on the song. Chorus 1 = Harrison, all 3 verses = Petty, Chorus 2 = Lynne, Chorus 3 = Orbison, Chorus 4 = Harrison, Chorus 5 = Lynne. The fade out has the various members shouting and clowning. It's refreshing to hear 4 different lead voices on a song, all of which are distinctly recognizable.

More Songfacts:

Cathy's ClownThe Everly Brothers

The first single to simultaneously top the UK and US charts was The Everly Brothers' "Cathy's Clown" in May 1960.

AlrightJanet Jackson

Janet Jackson's "Alright" video features Cab Calloway and Cyd Charisse, stars of musicals she loved as a kid.

The Long and Winding RoadThe Beatles

"The Long and Winding Road" was the last of The Beatles' 20 #1 hits in America. Written by Paul McCartney, he said it's a sad song about "the door you never quite reach."

Beat ItMichael Jackson

Eddie Van Halen played the guitar solo on "Beat It" as a favor to Quincy Jones, who produced the album.

Our HouseCrosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Graham Nash wrote the domestic tranquility classic "Our House" about the house he shared with Joni Mitchell. It was a very very very fine house.

I'm A BelieverThe Monkees

Neil Diamond wrote "I'm A Believer" early in his career. It was a hit for The Monkees and revived by Smash Mouth in 2001 for the movie Shrek, helping make Diamond cool again.

Editor's Picks

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Famous Singers' First FilmsSong Writing

A look at the good (Diana Ross, Eminem), the bad (Madonna, Bob Dylan) and the peculiar (David Bowie, Michael Jackson) film debuts of superstar singers.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.