Twenty Five Miles album art

Twenty Five Miles

by Edwin Starr

Summary

"Twenty Five Miles" by Edwin Starr is a high-energy song about determination and love. The singer is walking a long way to be with his woman, pushing through pain because the reward is worth it.

Full Analysis

The song's main theme revolves around love and perseverance. The singer is on a journey, both physical and emotional, to see his partner. Even though he’s tired and hurting, the thought of being with her keeps him going. This mix of struggle and passion makes the song feel relatable and uplifting.

Verse 1

Come on, feet!
Start movin'
Got to get me there
Ow!

The opening lines set the tone right away. The singer is urging himself to keep moving, suggesting urgency and determination. It’s almost like he’s talking to his feet, which adds a fun, personal touch. The excitement is palpable, making you feel his eagerness to get to his destination.

Hey, hey
Uh-ah-ah-ah-ah
Oh!
Uh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, yeah
Oh!

This part feels celebratory. The playful sounds create an upbeat vibe. It pulls you into the energy of the song, almost like a rallying cry for anyone who's ever had to push through something tough for love.

25 miles from home, girl
My feet are hurtin' mighty bad
Now, I been walkin' for three days and two lonely nights
You know that I'm mighty mad, huh

Here, he introduces the journey's details. Walking 25 miles is no small feat, and the long duration makes it clear he’s been through a lot. You can feel his frustration and pain, but it’s balanced with a sense of purpose. He’s mad, but it's not just about the pain; it’s about the wait.

But I got a woman waitin' for me
That's gonna make this trip worth the while
You see, she's got the kinda lovin' and a kissin'
A make a man go stone wild

This verse shifts the focus to his motivation. She’s not just any woman; she’s someone special who makes the struggle worthwhile. The descriptions of her love are passionate and playful, showing how deeply he feels about her. It paints a vivid picture of what’s driving him forward.

Chorus

So, I got to keep on walkin'
Mmm-hm, huh
I got to walk on
Whoa-ho-ho

The chorus is all about determination. The repetition of "got to keep on walkin'" emphasizes his need to keep moving despite the fatigue. The energy is infectious, and you can hear the resolve in his voice.

(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) I'm so tired
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) but I just can't lose my stride

This part highlights his exhaustion but also his commitment. It’s relatable for anyone who’s pushed through tough times. The idea of not losing stride speaks to resilience, making the listener root for him even more.

Verse 2

I got 15 miles to go now
And I can hear my baby callin' my name
It's as if as though, I'm standin' at her front door
I can hear that doggone playin'

In this verse, he’s getting closer to his goal. The mention of hearing her call him adds a sense of urgency and excitement. It feels like he’s almost there, and the anticipation builds. His imagination of being at her door shows how much he longs for her.

Now, I'll be so glad to see my baby
And hold her in my arms one more time, huh
Now when I kiss her lips, I'll turn a back-over flip
And I'll forget about these feet of mine

These lines express pure joy and affection. The thought of holding her makes all the pain worthwhile. The playful imagery of turning a back-over flip after kissing her adds a light-hearted touch, showing how love can lift someone’s spirits.

Chorus

I got to keep on, walkin'
Hey, whew!
I got to walk on
Let me tell ya, y'all!

This chorus repeats the earlier themes of determination and effort. The addition of "hey, whew!" shows he’s still feeling the strain, but he’s not giving up. The phrase “let me tell ya” feels conversational and inviting, pulling the listener in.

(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) I'm so tired
(Ah-ah, step on, keep on steppin') but I just can't lose my stride

Once again, he acknowledges his tiredness but reaffirms his resolve to keep going. The call to “keep on steppin’” gives a motivational push, making it feel like a shared journey with the listener.

Bridge

Whew!
Come on feet, don't fail me now (come on feet, don't fail)
I got, ten more miles to go (ten more miles)
I got nine (step on, step on)
Eight (step on, step on)
Seven (step on, step on)
Six, six, six (step on, step on)

The bridge is a rallying moment. It’s all about encouragement and counting down the miles left. You can sense the urgency and determination again, which keeps the energy high. It’s like a pep talk before the finish line, and you can’t help but cheer him on.

Verse 3

I got five more miles to go now
Over the hill, just around the bend, huh
Although my feet are tired, I can't lose my stride
I got to get to my baby again

This verse brings him closer to his goal. The idea of being "just around the bend" adds a hopeful twist. He’s tired but still focused on that final push to see his love. It captures the essence of perseverance beautifully.

Chorus

I got to keep on walkin'
Mmm-hm, hey
I got to walk on
Please, let me tell ya, y'all!

Ending the song with the chorus reinforces the message. He’s still committed and energized by the thought of his baby waiting for him. The repetition makes it feel like a mantra of sorts, encouraging everyone to keep going no matter what.

(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) I'm so tired
(Ah-ah, step on, keep on steppin') but I just can't lose my stride

Once again, he acknowledges fatigue but holds onto his determination. It’s a powerful reminder that love can motivate us to push through our limits.

Closing Thoughts

"Twenty Five Miles" is a fun, energetic song about the lengths we go for love. The mix of exhaustion and excitement makes it relatable. It captures that feeling of pushing through hard times for someone special. The catchy rhythm and passionate lyrics make you want to root for the singer as he makes his way to his love. Overall, it’s a celebration of love, determination, and the journey we take for those we care about.

Full Lyrics

Come on, feet!
Start movin'
Got to get me there
Ow!
Hey, hey
Uh-ah-ah-ah-ah
Oh!
Uh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, yeah
Oh!

25 miles from home, girl
My feet are hurtin' mighty bad
Now, I been walkin' for three days and two lonely nights
You know that I'm mighty mad, huh
But I got a woman waitin' for me
That's gonna make this trip worth the while
You see, she's got the kinda lovin' and a kissin'
A make a man go stone wild

So, I got to keep on walkin'
Mmm-hm, huh
I got to walk on
Whoa-ho-ho
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) I'm so tired
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) but I just can't lose my stride

I got 15 miles to go now
And I can hear my baby callin' my name
It's as if as though, I'm standin' at her front door
I can hear that doggone playin'
Now, I'll be so glad to see my baby
And hold her in my arms one more time, huh
Now when I kiss her lips, I'll turn a back-over flip
And I'll forget about these feet of mine

I got to keep on, walkin'
Hey, whew!
I got to walk on
Let me tell ya, y'all!
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) I'm so tired
(Ah-ah, step on, keep on steppin') but I just can't lose my stride

Whew!
Come on feet, don't fail me now (come on feet, don't fail)
I got, ten more miles to go (ten more miles)
I got nine (step on, step on)
Eight (step on, step on)
Seven (step on, step on)
Six, six, six (step on, step on)

I got five more miles to go now
Over the hill, just around the bend, huh
Although my feet are tired, I can't lose my stride
I got to get to my baby again

I got to keep on walkin'
Mmm-hm, hey
I got to walk on
Please, let me tell ya, y'all!
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) I'm so tired
(Ah-ah, step on, keep on steppin') but I just can't lose my stride

(Walkin') yes, huh!
I got to walk on
Let me tell ya, y'all!
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) see my baby just across the fence
(Ah-ah, step on, keep on steppin') whew!
(Walkin') hey, now!
I got to walk on
Let me tell ya, y'all I got to say it!
(Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) I been steppin' since the funk came on...
More by Edwin Starr
Comments
Loading comments...
Articles