Going Back to Colorado

Song Meaning

The narrator is on the verge of departure, signaled by the urgent sound of a train whistle and the need to gather belongings before it leaves. There's a palpable sense of needing to escape the current location, driven by a clear "reason for my leavin'" and a definitive "got to go back home." This isn't a casual trip; it's a necessary exodus, underscored by the repeated phrase "Before that ol' train passes by." The core tension arises from the stark contrast between the current, unappealing environment and the idealized destination of Colorado. The present locale is characterized by decay and stagnation – "sidewalks are all going up now" – and limited options, where even pleasure is restricted to "nothin harder than beer." This dissatisfaction fuels the urgent desire to leave, amplified by the mention of wanting "cocaine my dear" and the general need to "get myself out of here." The lyrics cleverly use the imagery of construction and decay to represent the narrator's internal state and external circumstances. The "sidewalks are all going up" could suggest gentrification or simply a place in disrepair, making it feel unwelcoming. This contrasts sharply with the implied natural beauty and perhaps a more vibrant or authentic lifestyle associated with "Boulder town" and "good mountain brown," which the narrator "misses" profoundly. The repetition of "good mountain brown" hints at a specific, perhaps illicit, pleasure sought in Colorado, adding a layer of raw, unvarnished desire to the longing for home. This song hits hard because it taps into that universal feeling of being stuck in a place that no longer serves you, a place that feels both stagnant and actively deteriorating. The specific, almost gritty details – the train whistle, the rising sidewalks, the limited choices for recreation – ground the narrator's abstract desire for escape in tangible reality. The repeated, almost desperate calls to "go back home" and the urgency of the departing train create a powerful sense of catharsis, promising a return to a place that offers something more vital and fulfilling.