About The Song
Alabama, a band synonymous with the heartland of America, has always had a knack for crafting songs that paint vivid pictures. “Down On Longboat Key” album “40-Hour Week”, is a prime example of this. This evocative ballad transports listeners to a sun-drenched beach, where a tale of love, loss, and longing unfolds.
From the opening notes, “Down On Longboat Key” establishes a relaxed, seaside atmosphere. The gentle acoustic guitar and the soothing harmonies create a dreamy soundscape that perfectly complements the song’s lyrical content. Randy Owen’s smooth vocals convey a sense of longing and nostalgia as he tells the story of a woman waiting for her love to return.
The lyrics of the song paint a vivid picture of a solitary figure sitting on a beach, gazing out at the endless ocean. “She sits and stares out the window pane” and “dreaming times away” are just a few of the evocative lines that capture the sense of longing and isolation. The song suggests that she is waiting for a sailor who has promised to return, but who may never come back.
One of the most appealing aspects of “Down On Longboat Key” is its universal appeal. The themes of love, loss, and longing are universal experiences that many people can relate to. Whether you’ve ever been in a long-distance relationship or simply experienced the pain of heartbreak, this song will strike a chord.
The song’s production is also noteworthy. The instrumentation is understated, allowing Owen’s vocals to take center stage. This stripped-down approach allows the lyrics to shine through, ensuring that the story of the song is fully realized.
“Down On Longboat Key” is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time. It’s a song that invites listeners to escape to a beautiful, yet melancholy place. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Alabama or discovering their music for the first time, this song is sure to transport you to a simpler time and place.
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Lyric
She sits and stares out the window at the waterEvery night down at [Incomprehensible] CafeAll alone she sips her pina coladaTalkin’ to herself, dreamin’ time awayThe story is that a dark haired strangerStole her heart many years agoHe promised her, he’d come back and take herAround the world, bring her hills of goldDown on Longboat KeyWhere the island sand meets the Gulf Stream BridgeDown on Longboat KeyShe spends her life in a dream on Longboat KeyDown on Longboat KeyDown on Longboat KeyEach afternoon as the snug boats come inShe runs to meet them down at the pierShe sees the fishermen, the nets and the sunsetBut she don’t see him, her eyes fill with tearsShe stands there lookin’ at the crystal blue waterAnd in the coral she imagines pearlsShe makes believe, he brought them all the way from ChinaThen the water swirls, the blue-green water swirlsDown on Longboat KeyWhere the island sand meets the Gulf Stream BridgeDown on Longboat KeyShe spends her life in a dream on Longboat KeyDown on Longboat KeyDown on Longboat KeyYoung sailors make a play to take her homeShe says, “No, I’m already taken”Oh, they just laugh when she mentions his nameShe just keeps on waiting, waiting, waiting, waitingDown on Longboat KeyWhere the island sand meets the Gulf Stream BridgeDown on Longboat KeyShe spends her life in a dreamDown on Longboat KeyDown on Longboat Key yeah yeahDown on Longboat KeyWhere the island sand meets the Gulf Stream BridgeDown on Longboat KeyDown on Longboat Key yeah yeahDown on Longboat Key