About the song
“Against the Wind” is a poignant ballad by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, released in 1980 as the title track of their album. The song explores themes of:
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Nostalgia and Reflection: The lyrics evoke a sense of looking back on life’s journey, acknowledging missed opportunities, lost love, and the passage of time.
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Regret and Acceptance: The narrator expresses regret for past mistakes and choices but also recognizes the importance of moving forward and accepting the consequences of those actions.
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Perseverance and Resilience: Despite the challenges and setbacks faced, the song emphasizes the importance of perseverance and finding the strength to carry on.
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Aging and Mortality: “Against the Wind” touches upon the realities of aging and the inevitability of death, prompting reflection on the meaning and purpose of life.
Background:
The song was written by Bob Seger and produced by Bill Szymczyk. It was inspired by Seger’s own experiences and observations of life’s ups and downs. The song resonated with audiences of all ages, who connected with its universal themes of loss, regret, and the enduring human spirit.
“Against the Wind” was a commercial success, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of Seger’s signature songs. It has since been covered by numerous artists and remains a beloved classic rock ballad.
Video
Lyrics
It seems like yesterday
But it was long ago
Janey was lovely, she was the queen of my nights
There in the darkness with the radio playlng low
And the secrets that we shared
The mountains that we moved
Caught like a wildfire out of control
Till there was nothing left to burn and nothing left to prove
And I remember what she said to me
How she swore that it never would end
I remember how she held me oh so tight
Wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then
Against the wind
We were runnin’ against the wind
We were young and strong, we were runnin’
Against the wind
And the years rolled slowly past
And I found myself alone
Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends
I found myself further and further from my home
And I guess I lost my way
There were oh so many roads
I was living to run and running to live
Never worried about paying or even how much I owed
Moving eight miles a minute for months at a time
Breaking all of the rules that would bend
I began to find myself searchin’
Searchin’ for shelter again and again
Against the wind
A little something against the wind
I found myself seeking shelter against the wind
Well those drifters days are past me now
I’ve got so much more to think about
Deadlines and commitments
What to leave in, what to leave out
Against the wind
I’m still runnin’ against the wind
I’m older now but still running
Against the wind
Well I’m older now and still running
Against the wind