Not So Far Away [Glen Burtnik]

 

Not So Far Away
Written by Glen Burtnik
Lead Vocals by Glen Burtnik

Hey!
You might feel like a stranger,
You’ve been lost in a strange land.
You might be on a distant shore,
Don’t know what they’re having planned.

You might feel you’re a million miles,
In nothing you can be sure.
You might feel you don’t have a prayer,
When the signal it comes in clear,
That you’re not so far, you’re not so far away.

You might feel you’re in danger,
Hope you don’t fade away.
Sometimes you try to reach so high,
You think that your back might break.

The signal’s out, someone’s in doubt,
When something inside you says,
That you’re not so far, you’re not so far away.
No, you’re not so far, you’re not so far away.

Yeah!
Hey!

Lay it in those hands,
You might not know where you stand.
You walk that line, where some might tell ya,
This is where it starts and ends?

When history repeats itself,
They’ll sell you their worn out plan,
When you’re not so far, you’re not so far away.
No, you’re not so far, you’re not so far away,
A million miles, not so far away.

You’re not so far, you’re not so far away.
Maybe you’re not so far away.
You’re not so far, you’re not so far away,
Not so far.

Interpretation

This song is from the soundtrack to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), a movie in which a pair of teenagers are visited by someone from the distant future who is trying to help them pass history class, since their music is destined to change the world for the better.  The song complements the movie's plot, appearing late in the film as an instrumental during Bill and Ted's history presentation. 

The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has doubts or struggles and needs reassurance.

Sometimes you may feel like you are in a foreign land where nothing makes sense to you, and you are just part of someone else's plans. Everything seems to be out of your control, and you feel like you have no hope.  Perhaps you even feel like you're in danger, or maybe you just have self doubt. You don't have to listen to the nay-sayers or go along with someone else's foolish plans. Whatever the situation, remember that you're not so far away from home, your friends, your family, and me.