Trying to Get to You

Song Meaning

Colin Hay's "Trying to Get to You" isn't simply a song about longing; it's a poignant reflection on the Sisyphean task of connection in a world actively conspiring to keep us apart. The opening lines, lamenting a broken-down train on "Empty Avenue," immediately establish a landscape of frustration and stalled progress. It's a metaphor for the emotional roadblocks we all face when attempting to reach someone who matters. The telephone, meant to bridge distances, ironically amplifies the speaker's isolation, highlighting the limitations of technology to provide true solace. The chorus introduces a broader, more existential anxiety. In a world saturated with “constant danger,” the speaker’s persistent search for “kindness in strangers” feels both naive and deeply human. This juxtaposition underlines a core tension: the inherent need for connection versus the ever-present threat of disappointment and vulnerability. The repeated, almost desperate, questioning – "why oh why and why is not enough" – speaks to a fundamental dissatisfaction with the state of things. Even tears, the ultimate expression of sorrow, prove insufficient. The verses describing arduous journeys – "firestorms and hurricanes," "16 hours on an airplane" – amplify the lengths to which the speaker is willing to go. It's not just about physical distance; these trials represent the emotional and psychological barriers one confronts in pursuit of meaningful relationships. The final image of walking through the “driving rain,” with only the “thought of you remains,” underscores the tenacity of hope in the face of overwhelming adversity. Ultimately, "Trying to Get to You" resonates because it captures the universal struggle to maintain intimacy and empathy in an increasingly fractured and chaotic world. It acknowledges the obstacles, the frustrations, and the very real possibility of failure, yet clings to the enduring power of human connection as a guiding light.