Navarro started playing guitar at 12 after listening to Jimi Hendrix and joined Jane's Addiction in 1986. The band split in 1991 and Navarro promptly formed Deconstruction releasing a single self-titled album.
Following John Frusciante's 1993 departure, Navarro joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He featured on the 1995 album One Hot Minute before leaving in 1998. Jane's Addiction began playing sporadic shows in the late 90s before officially reforming which resulted in their final studio album, Strays.
Navarro's guitar playing can also be found on records by Alanis Morrisette and Marilyn Manson. He is currently playing in The Panic Channel featuring former band mates, Stephen Perkins and Chris Chaney.
Avoiding The Angel
Dave Navarro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I only asked if you would stay
I never minded that you slept here
I thought that you would go away
I never minded talking to you
Can I only turn you off?
I can't remember talking to you
Driving by the place with the books
Seven times near the place with the books
I never really even loved you
I'm just really insecure
I never really even cared
Never tasted that pure
I don't think I ever liked you
I just had some time
I don't think I'd be that sorry
Driving by the place with the books
It's a nice day for a parade
Seven times near the place with the books
Living with you is a shade of gray
We never had anything to say
Anyway
Living with you is a shade of gray
Everyday
You never listened to me
And you never had the time
I thought that I knew you angel
You make me want to die
You never listened to me
And you never had the time
We never loved each other
And I'm always making you cry
The lyrics to Dave Navarro's song "Avoiding The Angel" appear to depict a relationship that is devoid of genuine affection or connection. The singer expresses apathy towards the person they're addressing, referring to them as "angel" but expressing that they never loved them or really cared about them. The tone is one of detachment, as if the singer is trying to convince themselves that they don't care about the person in question.
The verses seem to reinforce this idea of detachment, as the singer mentions that they never wanted the person to live with them, they only asked if they would stay. They also touch on how talking to them is a chore, and that the singer can't even remember some of their discussions. The chorus contains imagery of driving by a nearby location "with the books," something that is repeated multiple times throughout the song. It's unclear what the significance of this location is, but it could be a symbol of something mundane or unremarkable - something that is a constant reminder of the singer's lackluster relationship.
The song culminates in the final verse, where the singer becomes more explicit in their disdain for the person they're singing about. They mention that the person never listened to them or had time for them, and that the relationship was devoid of love or affection. The final line - "and I'm always making you cry" - suggests that the singer may be aware of how they're treating the other person, but is unable or unwilling to change.
Line by Line Meaning
I never wanted you to live here
I never intended for you to reside here permanently
I only asked if you would stay
I just requested you to stay for a short time
I never minded that you slept here
I wasn't bothered that you slept here sometimes
I thought that you would go away
I assumed that you would leave eventually
I never minded talking to you
I didn't have a problem with conversing with you
Can I only turn you off?
Am I only capable of disregarding you?
I can't remember talking to you
I can't recall the last time we spoke
Driving by the place with the books
Passing near the spot where the bookshop is situated
It's a nice day for a parade
The day is pleasant for a procession
Seven times near the place with the books
Been close to the site of the bookstore seven different times
I never really even loved you
My affection for you wasn't genuine
I'm just really insecure
My behavior is motivated by a lack of confidence
I never really even cared
I was never truly concerned
Never tasted that pure
Never experienced something so genuine
I don't think I ever liked you
I don't believe I was ever fond of you
I just had some time
I merely had some free time
I don't think I'd be that sorry
I'm unlikely to regret my actions
Living with you is a shade of gray
Being with you is neither entirely good nor bad
We never had anything to say
We didn't share many meaningful conversations
Anyway
Regardless
Everyday
Daily
You never listened to me
You never paid attention to what I had to say
And you never had the time
You were always too busy to make time for me
I thought that I knew you angel
I believed that I understood you, my dear
You make me want to die
You cause me to feel extremely unhappy
We never loved each other
Our feelings for each other were never mutual
And I'm always making you cry
I'm constantly making you upset and emotional
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eva Kroneker
I never wanted you to live here
I only asked if you would stay
I never minded that you slept here
I thought that you would go away
I never minded talking to you
Can I only turn you off?
I can't remember talking to you
Driving by the place with the books
It's a nice day for a parade
Seven times near the place with the books
I never really even loved you
I'm just really insecure
I never really even cared
Never tasted that pure
I don't think I ever liked you
I just had some time...had some time
I don't think I'd be that sorry
Driving by the place with the books
It's a nice day for a parade
Seven times near the place with the books
Living with you is a shade of gray
We never had anything to say
Anyway...
Living with you is a shade of gray
Everyday...
You never listened to me
And you never had the time
I thought that I knew you angel
You make me want to die
You never listened to me
And you never had the time
We never loved each other
And I'm always making you cry....🎼🔥💕
AriAlly20
Never get tired of this song!
Gameplay and Talk
I still love it, all these years later.
Eva Kroneker
I never wanted you to live here
I only asked if you would stay
I never minded that you slept here
I thought that you would go away
I never minded talking to you
Can I only turn you off?
I can't remember talking to you
Driving by the place with the books
It's a nice day for a parade
Seven times near the place with the books
I never really even loved you
I'm just really insecure
I never really even cared
Never tasted that pure
I don't think I ever liked you
I just had some time...had some time
I don't think I'd be that sorry
Driving by the place with the books
It's a nice day for a parade
Seven times near the place with the books
Living with you is a shade of gray
We never had anything to say
Anyway...
Living with you is a shade of gray
Everyday...
You never listened to me
And you never had the time
I thought that I knew you angel
You make me want to die
You never listened to me
And you never had the time
We never loved each other
And I'm always making you cry....🎼🔥💕
Chris Campbell
I used to play this track off the CD a lot. In a way, it's haunting.
Holly D
Dave is such an amazing guy. One of my favorites. Even though I prefer metal, I think this song rocks.
gatofox
You never listened to me And you never had the time We never loved each other And I'm always making you cry amazing and beautiful song
Sandy Silver
One of RHCP's best albums... so underrated.
M.L. Crow
@Cate Craig True.
Cate Craig
But I also agree that One Hot Minute from RHCP is one of their best
Cate Craig
Lol not sure if you were joking but hope you realized in the past 10 years that this track is from Dave Navarro’s solo album and not RHCP 🙂