About the song
Roy Orbison – Go! Go! Go! (Down the Line) (Black & White Night 30)
Roy Orbison, the Big O, the man with the sunglasses and the voice that could melt glaciers. A true original, a rock and roll pioneer who carved his own path with operatic vocals and melancholic ballads. But Orbison wasn’t just a one-trick pony. He could rock with the best of them, and “Go! Go! Go! (Down the Line)” is a testament to that fiery side.
Taken from the Black & White Night 30 album, a concert film originally released in 1988 and later re-released in 2017 with additional footage, “Go! Go! Go!” showcases Orbison at his energetic best. This live performance captures the raw energy and excitement of Orbison’s stage presence, a side often overshadowed by his more somber hits.
The song itself is a classic Orbison rocker, driven by a relentless beat and his signature soaring vocals. The lyrics tell a simple story: a man is fed up with his current love and is moving on to find someone who can keep up with him. It’s a tale as old as time, but Orbison imbues it with a sense of urgency and passion that’s impossible to ignore.
What makes this performance particularly special is the interplay between Orbison and the stellar band backing him. Featuring legends like Elvis Presley’s TCB Band, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, and Elvis Costello, the musicianship is top-notch. The guitars roar, the drums pound, and the whole thing just cooks. You can practically feel the energy crackling through the screen as these musical titans come together to celebrate the Big O’s legacy.
“Go! Go! Go!” is a reminder that Roy Orbison was more than just a balladeer. He was a dynamic performer who could bring the house down with a raucous rocker. This track is a hidden gem in his catalog, a testament to his versatility and enduring appeal. So crank up the volume, settle in, and get ready to experience Roy Orbison at his most electrifying.
Video
Lyrics
Well, you can’t be my loving baby
You ain’t got the style
I’m gonna get some real gone love
That’ll drive a cool cat wild
I’m gonna move, rolling right on down
Gonna get me a gal that’ll go out on the town
Well, you move on down the line
I’m gonna get me a gal that’ll make some time
She can’t be square, she can’t be slow
‘Cause when we start strutting, gotta go, go, go
Well, I’m gonna show you ain’t so hot
I’m gonna get what you ain’t got
She’ll be sweet, won’t do me wrong
She’ll be cool and twice as gone
You gotta roll, move it right on down
Gonna get me a gal that’ll go out on the town
Well, you move on down the line
I’m gonna get me a gal that’ll make some time
She can’t be square, she can’t be slow
‘Cause when we start strutting, gotta go, go, go
Well, you move on down the line
I’m gonna get me a gal that’ll make some time
She can’t be square, she can’t be slow
‘Cause when we start strutting, gotta go, go, go