Mr. Write's Page

The “About Mr. Write” page on this blog begins with two lines from the song “End of the Line” by the Traveling Wilburys. The quote seems appropriate for an old dude with a blog.

Nowadays, you have to be old and gray to remember much about the Traveling Wilburys. They were a “supergroup” formed in 1988 by veteran musicians George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. A bit of backstory…

In 1987, when Harrison was recording an unrelated album with Lynne, faulty equipment caused some minor errors. Harrison told Lynne, “We’ll bury ’em in the mix.” Soon, ‘we’ll bury’ became ‘wilbury,’ their term for any studio glitch or mistake.

In 1988, when the supergroup needed a name, they chose “The Traveling Wilburys.” They portrayed themselves as five half-brothers — Nelson, Otis, Lefty, Charlie, and Lucky Wilbury.

Their first album, “Volume 1,” was a triple-platinum hit and a Grammy winner. “End of the Line” was the last song on the album and its most popular single.

“Volume 1” was released in October 1988. Orbison, sadly, died in December. In 1990, his bandmates released a second album in tribute, but split up after that.

End of the Line

By The Traveling Wilburys, 1988
Written by Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, George Harrison, and Roy Orbison

Well, it’s all right, ridin’ around in the breeze.
Well, it’s all right, if you live the life you please.
Well, it’s all right, doin’ the best you can.
Well, it’s all right, 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 will bring.
(At the end of the line)
Maybe a diamond ring.

Well, it’s all right, even if they say you’re wrong.
Well, it’s all right. Sometimes, you gotta be strong.
Well, it’s all right, as long as you got somewhere to lay.
Well, it’s all right. Every day 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)
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays
(At the end of the line)
Purple Haze.

Well, it’s all right, even when push comes to shove.
Well, it’s all right, if you got someone to love.
Well, it’s all right. Everything’ll work out fine.
Well, it’s all right. We’re goin’ 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)
It don’t matter. If you’re by my side
(At the end of the line)
I’m satisfied.

Well, it’s all right, even if you’re old and gray.
Well, it’s all right, you still got somethin’ to say.
Well, it’s all right. Remember to live and let live.
Well, it’s all right. The best you can do is forgive.

Well, it’s all right, ridin’ around in the breeze.
Well, it’s all right, if you live the life you please.
Well, it’s all right, even if the sun don’t shine.
Well, it’s all right. We’re goin’ to the end of the line.