I was running through the desert, I was looking for drugs
And I was searching for a woman who was willing to love
So I could take her like a woman
Yeah take her like a woman

I was looking for a bad girl, looking for a bad boy
Someone who could take all the night away
Oh baby I could shake it like a woman
Yeah shake it like a woman

I got the eyes on me
Of a jealous man, and if you're looking to run, well then you've already ran
I break down like a woman
I break down like a woman

I'll go back to Rock City,
That's where she saw me
Everybody's seen her, everyone believes me

I've been several miles and plenty more,
And I found myself face-first on the floor
Searching for something
But never finding something

And I don't know where I belong,
I'm just trying to get myself back home
And get a little work
Yeah find my little woman

And I'll go back to Rock City
That's where she saw me
Everybody's seen her, everyone believes me

Oh my my, oh my my, oh my my
I need to find something
I'm searching for something

I'll go back to Rock City
That's where she saw me
Everybody's seen her, everyone believes me

I'll go back to Rock City,
That's where she saw me
Everybody's seen her, everyone believes me

Overall Meaning

The song “Rock City” by Kings of Leon paints an image of a man trying to find himself and his way back home after running through the desert looking for drugs and a woman to love. He is looking for someone who can take all the night away and help him find himself. He is willing to take her like a woman and shake it like a woman.

However, he finds himself being watched by a jealous man, realizing that he may just have to break down like a woman. After several miles of wandering and searching for something, but never finding it, he decides to go back to Rock City where he was last seen by the woman he’s been searching for. He believes that everyone has seen her and everyone believes him.

This song is about searching, longing, and ultimately finding oneself. It’s about being lost and trying to make sense of things. It’s about going back to where one started to pick up where they left off and make things right again. Overall, the song captures the feeling of being lost and the desire to find oneself.

Line by Line Meaning

I was running through the desert, I was looking for drugs
I was traveling through a barren place and searching for illegal substances.

And I was searching for a woman who was willing to love
I was also seeking a partner who was open to the idea of love.

So I could take her like a woman
I desired a romantic relationship where I could play the dominant role.

I was looking for a bad girl, looking for a bad boy
I sought a partner who was willing to engage in risky behavior or unconventional lifestyle.

Someone who could take all the night away
I wanted someone who can keep me engaged and active all night.

Oh baby I could shake it like a woman
I was confident in my physical abilities to perform in a manner traditionally assigned to women.

I got the eyes on me
Others around me were watching me.

Of a jealous man, and if you're looking to run, well then you've already ran
I was getting attention from a potentially dangerous man, and if you wanted to avoid the situation, you should have gone already.

I break down like a woman
I experience emotional or mental breakdowns equivalent to those perceived as feminine traits.

I'll go back to Rock City, That's where she saw me, Everybody's seen her, everyone believes me
I'll return to a place where I was previously witnessed by someone who will vouch for me and be convinced of my intentions.

I've been several miles and plenty more, And I found myself face-first on the floor
I have traveled long distances without much to show for it and ended up falling down literally or figuratively.

Searching for something, But never finding something
I have been looking for something that never materializes or whose existence may be in doubt.

And I don't know where I belong, I'm just trying to get myself back home
I feel lost and uncertain of my place in the world and am just trying to get back to a familiar dwelling.

And get a little work, Yeah find my little woman
I need to secure employment and seek out my preferred romantic partner.

Oh my my, oh my my, oh my my, I need to find something, I'm searching for something
I am expressing repeated statements of urgency and longing to acquire or discover something that eludes me.

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