As Far As This Feeling Will Take Us

Song Meaning

David Allan Coe, notorious outlaw country provocateur, softens his image, somewhat, in "As Far As This Feeling Will Take Us,” a duet that explores the intoxicating and potentially destructive nature of pure, unadulterated lust. The song isn't about commitment, long-term love, or even necessarily respect. It's about chasing a feeling to its absolute limit, with a reckless abandon that suggests both exhilaration and a premonition of eventual heartbreak. The phrase "as far as this feeling will take us" is repeated like a mantra, almost daring the listener (and the singers themselves) to confront the potential consequences of such unrestrained desire. There's a vulnerability beneath the surface, a recognition that this intense connection might be fleeting, encapsulated in the line, “I don’t care if forever is just for tonight.” The lyrics themselves paint a picture of immediate, all-consuming passion. The contrast between Karen Brooks' lines ("I'm like a forest and you're like a wildfire") and Coe's yearning for a heaven-like state reveals the internal push-pull between surrendering to raw instinct and seeking some form of transcendent experience. The wildfire metaphor is particularly potent, suggesting a force that is both beautiful and potentially devastating, capable of transforming everything in its path. The interplay between the two voices is crucial. It emphasizes the mutual surrender to the moment, a shared decision to prioritize immediate gratification over future considerations. Ultimately, the song's meaning resides in its exploration of the tension between impulsive desire and the awareness of its potential fallout. The willingness to "go as far as this feeling will take us" is an embrace of the unknown, a gamble on the power of the present moment. Coe, despite his reputation, understands the fleeting nature of such intense emotions. The final line, "For that kind of feeling, we'll come back for more," hints at an addictive quality, a cyclical pattern of chasing the high, even knowing the inevitable comedown awaits. It's a raw, honest portrayal of human desire, devoid of pretense or moral judgment, and that's where its power lies.