Restless
Carl Perkins & Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Lyrics
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I don't belong at all
Got my face in the corner
Got my back to the wall
And pretty baby I'm restless, restless
Restless through and through
I'm restless, restless
I'm a hair trigger lover
And I can't face up to nothing
I'm impatient with the wind
But I'm waitin' here for somethin'
And pretty baby I'm restless, restless
Restless through and through
I'm restless, restless
You look restless too
Restless sleep, twisted dreams
Moving targets, silent screams
Restless city, restless street
Restless you, restless me
I'm a face at the window
I'm a black satin sheet
And I can't stay warm
I stay out in the street
And pretty baby I'm restless, restless
Restless through and through
I'm restless, restless
You look restless too
The song "Restless" by Carl Perkins & Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is about a feeling of not belonging anywhere and feeling restless. The lyrics describe the singer's feelings of being trapped, with his face in a corner and his back against the wall, as if he has no place to go. He is looking for something elusive, and his restlessness is making it hard for him to find it. The chorus repeats the word "restless," underscoring the singer’s inability to find peace or satisfaction.
The singer also refers to himself as a "hair trigger lover," someone who is quick to fall in love but also quick to lose interest. He is frustrated with his impatience and his inability to face up to things. He describes himself as waiting for something, but is not sure what it is. The final verse describes the singer as a face at the window, someone who is watching the world go by, but unable to be a part of it. He is always restless, and can't stay warm, even when he is outside in the street.
Overall, the song "Restless" is a powerful expression of the frustration and loneliness that can come from feeling disconnected from the world. The lyrics paint an evocative picture of someone who is searching for something, but is always restless and never quite finding it.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't belong to no one
I don't feel like I fit in anywhere or with anyone.
I don't belong at all
I don't belong in any particular place or situation either.
Got my face in the corner
I'm feeling isolated or ignored, like I've been put in the corner.
Got my back to the wall
I'm feeling defensive or cornered, like I have to protect myself.
And pretty baby I'm restless, restless
I'm feeling agitated or anxious, like I can't stay still or calm.
Restless through and through
My restlessness is all-consuming, affecting every aspect of my being.
You look restless too
I sense that you're also feeling restless or uneasy.
I'm a hair trigger lover
I'm quick to fall in love, but also quick to fall out of it.
And I can't face up to nothing
I'm not good at dealing with problems or challenges as they arise, and tend to avoid them instead.
I'm impatient with the wind
I'm easily frustrated by things I can't control or change.
But I'm waitin' here for somethin'
Despite my restlessness and impatience, I'm still hopeful that something good will come along.
Restless sleep, twisted dreams
Even when I'm asleep, my restlessness follows me, causing me to have strange or disturbing dreams.
Moving targets, silent screams
My restlessness makes it hard for me to focus or accomplish things, causing me to feel frustrated or helpless.
Restless city, restless street
The world around me seems to mirror my own restlessness and unease.
Restless you, restless me
We both feel restless and unsettled, like we're searching for something we can't quite name.
I'm a face at the window
I'm looking out at the world, longing for something or someone to come my way.
I'm a black satin sheet
I'm dark and mysterious, hiding my true feelings or intentions.
And I can't stay warm
I feel cold or empty inside, unable to find comfort or peace.
I stay out in the street
I'm always on the move, looking for something that will make me feel alive.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Thomas Earl Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind