Gone Man
Eels Lyrics


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She used to love me but it's
Over now
That was a good thing that's
Gone man, gone

I pass the hours
Just to get by
Talk to the dogs
So I know that I'm alive

I never thought that I should quit
All the stupid crazy shit that I do
In the name of
Keepin' good things away

Some things you can
Fuck right up
Other things
Well, you better not screw up
My problem was
That I could not see
What was important
Right in front of me

I never though that I should quit
All the stupid crazy shit that I do
In the name of
Keepin' good things away

How much longer, man
For this earth?
It's here today
But it's gone man, gone

The epitaph scratched upon my stone,
"Here lies a man who just wanna be alone"

She used to love me but it's
Over now
That was a good thing that's
Gone man, gone

I take small comfort in a
Dying world




I'm not the only who's
Feelin' this pain

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Gone Man" by Eels showcase a tale of heartbreak and missed opportunities. The singer of this song has lost the love of his life, but he realizes that it might have been a blessing in disguise. He passes his days talking to his dogs just to feel alive and pondering why he keeps engaging in crazy antics that drive good things away. He reflects on how some things in life can be messed up, while others should not be, and his problem was that he failed to realize what was really important until it was too late.


The song captures the sense of resignation and regret for the things that are forever lost. The singer questions how much longer this earth will last and how everything he cherishes seems to slip through his fingers. The final lines talk about his future epitaph, which he envisions will be "Here lies a man who just wanna be alone." These lyrics suggest that the singer has given up on the notion of finding love again and would rather pursue a solitary life.


Line by Line Meaning

She used to love me but it's
He had a lover who once loved him, but it ended


Over now
Their love is no longer present


That was a good thing that's
The end of their love was for the best


Gone man, gone
Their love is not coming back and is gone for good


I pass the hours
He spends his time to get through each day


Just to get by
He does what he needs to do to cope and make it through


Talk to the dogs
He talks to his dogs to remind himself that he is alive


So I know that I'm alive
He seeks reassurance that he is real and existing


I never thought that I should quit
He has never considered giving up


All the stupid crazy shit that I do
Destructive things he does to himself


In the name of
The reason behind his harmful behavior


Keepin' good things away
He keeps positive things from entering his life through his actions


Some things you can
Certain actions can have negative consequences


Fuck right up
Some mistakes can be devastating


Other things
Other actions or decisions made


Well, you better not screw up
Making mistakes can have long-lasting effects


My problem was
The issue he has with his decisions


That I could not see
He was unaware


What was important
The things that truly matter and make a difference


Right in front of me
Things that were obvious and present


How much longer, man
An existential question of the length of his life


For this earth?
What is left for the world


It's here today
The world exists in the present moment


But it's gone man, gone
The world and all within it will not last forever


The epitaph scratched upon my stone,
The engraving on his tombstone


"Here lies a man who just wanna be alone"
He wants to be remembered as someone who preferred solitude


I take small comfort in a
He finds some solace in


Dying world
The impermanence of the world


I'm not the only who's
He is not alone in


Feelin' this pain
Having to experience the pain of loss and impermanence




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK O. EVERETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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