♫ End Of The Line ♫

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, History, music, Tributes

I had only ever briefly heard of the group Traveling Wilburys, but a few nights ago Clive suggested a song by them so I thought I’d look into them a bit more, and I’m glad I did!  A bit about the group first …

Based on the accomplishments of its members/founders, the group is indeed considered a ‘supergroup’ …

  • George Harrison (yes, THAT George Harrison, the ‘quiet’ Beatle)
  • Bob Dylan
  • Tom Petty
  • Jeff Lynne
  • Roy Orbison

The five came together when George Harrison needed a B-side for a single. He got his friend Jeff Lynne to work on it with him and Bob Dylan offered use of his garage studio. Tom Petty and Roy Orbison came along, so the five superstars found themselves together writing and recording the song on the spot: Handle With Care. They had such a good time making it and were so impressed with the results, they decided to form a band and include the song on a full album, which they recorded a month later.

The group only lasted three years, from 1988 to 1991, but during that time released three albums.  Tonight’s song, End of the Line, was released in October 1988, just two months before the death of Roy Orbison from a heart attack.  The song only charted at #63 in the U.S. and #52 in the UK.  The album it was on, however, Volume 1, rising to #1 in Canada, #3 in the U.S. and #16 in the UK.

In February 1988, George Harrison was asked during an interview what his next plans were, and he replied …

“What I’d really like to do next is … to do an album with me and some of my mates … It’s this new group I got in mind: it’s called the Traveling Wilburys, I’d like to do an album with them and then later we can all do our own albums again.”

When Roy Orbison died in December 1988 the group put together a music video for End of the Line showing Orbison’s guitar rocking in a chair next to his photo when his vocals are heard.

The story of the Traveling Wilburys is fun and fascinating, and I encourage you to take a further look at SongFacts and Wikipedia.  Meanwhile, let’s listen to the music and watch the video!  Oh, and thank you, Clive, for pointing me in this direction!

End of the Line

Traveling Wilburys

Well it’s alright, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s alright, if you live the life you please
Well it’s alright, doing the best you can
Well it’s alright, as long as you lend a hand

You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring
(At the end of the line)
Waiting for someone to tell you everything
(At the end of the line)
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow brings
(At the end of the line)
Maybe a diamond ring

Well it’s alright, even if they say you’re wrong
Well it’s alright, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it’s alright, as long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it’s alright, everyday is Judgment Day

Maybe somewhere down the road a ways
(At the end of the line)
You’ll think of me, and wonder where I am these days
(At the end of the line, end of the line)
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays
(At the end of the line)
Purple haze

Well it’s alright, even when push comes to shove
Well it’s alright, if you got someone to love
Well it’s alright, everything’ll work out fine
Well it’s alright, we’re going to the end of the line

Don’t have to be ashamed of the car I drive
(At the end of the line)
I’m just glad to be here, happy to be alive
(At the end of the line, end of the line)
And it don’t matter if you’re by my side
(At the end of the line)
I’m satisfied

Well it’s alright, even if you’re old and gray
Well it’s alright, you still got something to say
Well it’s alright, remember to live and let live
Well it’s alright, the best you can do is forgive

Well it’s alright, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s alright, if you live the life you please
Well it’s alright, even if the sun don’t shine
Well it’s alright, we’re going to the end of the line

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: George Harrison / Roy Orbison / Thomas Earl Petty / Jeffrey Lynne / Robert Dylan

End of the Line lyrics © Umlaut Corporation (ascap), Laut Music, Umsongs

32 thoughts on “♫ End Of The Line ♫”

    • Oh dear … I’m afraid summer is a little ways off still, and I’m not sure I can swing the convertible! But, if you come over here, I can probably take you to Route 66!!! 😊

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  3. I put Travelling Wilburys music on regularly, these sort of bands that just warp together without to much planning like “Blind Faith” who were a great band but broke up and then became “Cream” that also became a great band. Back then there was so many talented musicians it was always going to be good whoever got together.

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    • I think I may be the only person on earth who only recently even heard of the Traveling Wilburys! And I haven’t heard of either Blind Faith or Cream! Where have I been all my life?

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  4. Thank you so much for playing this one, Jill. But you’ve surprised me – I knew there was an extended version of the song but had never sought it out, so this is the first time I’ve heard it in full. Great song, great band, and if anyone can listen to that first album without feeling happy then in my view they have no soul!

    Good to see that you fell into their little trap, though: they only made two albums, but calling the second ‘Volume 3’ was just their little joke 😊

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    • ‘Twas my pleasure, Clive! Once again, you’ve broadened my horizons. I’m SHOCKED that I played a version you hadn’t heard before! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, as did I. And oopsie! Yep, I fell for that one and didn’t even dig deeper! Now I have egg on my face! Ah well … not the first time. 😉

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      • That version doesn’t seem to be available in Apple Music – I’ve looked several times over the years – but I really should have tried YouTube, shouldn’t I! I’m pleased you liked it enough to play it without me having to sell my soul to persuade you!

        You aren’t the first to fall for that, and I doubt you’ll be the last: it caused the odd comment among critics when it was released, as they thought their infallibility was being tested and they’d missed something. I’m sure that’s why the band did it 😊

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        • That’s weird … I just Googled and four options came up, this being the 4th. Remember Occam’s Razor … the simplest solution is usually the best, or something like that. Hah! You didn’t even have to sell your soul to persuade me on the AC/DC song, though I did do a bit of grumbling! 🤣

          Hah! So, they had a sense of humour … that’s always a good thing. I’m rather surprised they were together for such a short time, and I read that they didn’t tour at all.

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          • Do you know, I’ve never thought to Google it, just tried streaming services!

            I like it when bands don’t take themselves too seriously- try Everybody Have A Good Time by The Darkness as an example of that. Probably not your kind of music but the video is a hoot. I’m only guessing but if they had been thinking about touring Roy’s sudden death probably took away the will to do it. Sad to think only two of them are still with us now.

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            • I will definitely check that one out … could use a bit of lightness and happiness! I’ve never heard of The Darkness.

              You may be right, that Orbison’s death took some of the heart out of the project. Plus, they all had other interests as well. Ah well … we still have the music! Only two … yeah, I guess you’re right … I hadn’t thought of it.

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  6. I am familiar with a number of the Travelling Wilburys’ songs but had never considered their make up. That is a revelation to me. Of their songs that I have heard, i can’t say that any have stood out, but they are pleasant enough to listen to.

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  7. Jill, thanks for highlighting this short lived , but successful group. It was nice that Roy Orbison was featured on a few songs before he passed. The collective songs on the albums were very good, even if they did not rise to the top individually. Keith

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