Can't Get Away

Sixto Rodriguez's song 'Can't Get Away' delves into the theme of inescapability, portraying a journey through various stages of life and different locations, only to find that certain truths and realities are unavoidable. The song begins with the narrator's birth in a 'troubled city' in 'Rock and Roll, USA,' a metaphor for a place filled with challenges and hardships. Despite the narrator's vow to break away from this environment, the recurring refrain 'you can't get away from it' suggests a sense of inevitability and entrapment.

The lyrics describe the narrator's experiences growing up on 'city sidewalks' and the coldness encountered at every turn. This imagery evokes a sense of harshness and struggle, emphasizing the difficulty of escaping one's circumstances. The narrator's skepticism towards 'the prophet's omens' and the determination to find exits reflect a desire for change and freedom. However, the repeated refrain underscores the futility of these efforts, as the narrator learns that some aspects of life are inescapable.

As the song progresses, the narrator's journey takes them to different places, including a 'sleepy town' on the west coast and a 'hotel room in Amsterdam.' Despite these changes in location, the familiar sound and the sense of terror and fright that seize the narrator's heart highlight the persistent nature of the inescapable reality. The imagery of 'seeping up through the floorboards' and 'ringing up and down the halls' in the final verse reinforces the idea that no matter where one goes, certain truths and fears will always follow.

Rodriguez's poignant lyrics and evocative storytelling in 'Can't Get Away' capture the universal struggle of trying to escape one's past, fears, and inherent truths. The song's melancholic tone and repetitive refrain serve as a reminder of the inescapable aspects of life that shape our experiences and identities.