I've heard a couple things. the first is that this is the last song he wrote with the commodores, after which he left, knowing this was inevitable. the second meaning is that he wrote this song about his first divorce.

This song is about him leaving the Commodores but masked as if its about a divorce or separation.


"Sail on down the line
About a half mile or so
And I don’t really wanna know
Where you’re goin’

Maybe once or twice you see
Time after time I’ve tried
To hold on to what we’ve got
But now you’re goin’

Those verses refer to the creative differences and power struggles they were expericing at the time.

"And I don’t mind ‘bout the things you’re gonna say, Lord
I gave all my money and my time
I know it’s a shame
But I’m givin’ you back your name, yeah, yeah"

Refers to he knows there will be hard feelings after he is gone and by giving back the name, he is giving back any ownership he had in the band.

"Sail on down the line
Ain’t it funny how the time can go
All my friends say they told me so
But it doesn’t matter

It was plain to see
That a small town boy like me
Just wasn’t your cup of tea
I was wishful thinking"

Refers to friends that were telling him it was time to move on and start on his own.

"I gave you my heart and I tried to make you happy
And you gave me nothing in return
You know it ain’t so hard to say
Would you please just go away, yeah, yeah"

Refers to he did everything he could for the band and felt like he was getting nothing back. He felt like they wanted him gone but didnt have the balls to tell him to leave.

"I’ve thrown away the blues
I’m tired of bein’ used
I want everyone to know
I’m lookin’ for a good time, good time"

Refers to he is tired of stressing over the band and lost friendships and tired of getting used by the band. Lookin for a good time means he wants to enjoy the hard work he does and being with the Commodores, he wasnt having fun anymore.


"Whoa, sail on, honey
Good times never felt so good
Sail on, honey
Good times never felt so good"

Sail On is basically him saying good luck and shows he has no ill feelings for being used or upset. He was mature is just saying, time to move on but Ill never forget the good times we had and that he would always remember the good times.