"Far As We Go" by John Hiatt is a song that explores the theme of broken love and the longing to return to a happier time. The lyrics depict a protagonist who believed they knew their partner very well, but now their love has become broken and they are left feeling lost. The narrator references being out on the highway, symbolizing a journey or a search for something better. They pick up someone who represents a ghost from their past, someone who reminds them of the old days when things were simpler. However, the narrator acknowledges that there is a limit to how far they can go with this person, implying that they cannot recreate or salvage what was lost in their relationship. There is also a mention of Montana and a girl with the "West in her eyes," suggesting a longing to go back to a time when their love was pure and full of possibility before the hardships of life took a toll. The mention of Indiana and wagons rolling out signifies a previous era of simplicity and innocence. The chorus emphasizes the realization that they cannot go back to the past. The protagonist acknowledges that the road they once traveled together has changed, and they have no choice but to let go and move forward. The mention of "he's the best of you and me" implies that the ghost from the past represents the best parts of their former selves and their relationship, and the narrator is urged to accept and let go. The final verse suggests that time has passed, and the protagonists' dreams of true and everlasting love have been shattered. Despite the longing and nostalgia present in the song, the narrator accepts that they have reached the limit of how far they can go in trying to reclaim what was lost. The song overall conveys a sense of acceptance and a bittersweet realization that sometimes love cannot be fixed or returned to its former glory.
