Don't Walk Away
Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John Lyrics


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Why do I say, don't walk away
You'll be the way your were before
When you don't want me anymore

Don't turn around, don't ever leave
A lonely room where empty days
Are gathering to meet me when you're gone-
Gone- how in the world will I go on

(Don't walk away) all you gotta do is stay
(Don't walk away) all you gotta do is stay
(Don't walk away)

Don't walk away, don't say goodbye
Don't turn around, don't let it die
When shadows fall, when day is done
All through the night, all of my life
Don't walk away

Is it a dream, when will it end
When everything we've ever known
Has ended and I'm all alone

Where will I go, where will I be
The feelings that I've never shown
Maybe I'll find the answer when you're gone-
Gone- how in the world will I go on

(Don't walk away) all you gotta do is stay
(Don't walk away) all you gotta do is stay
(Don't walk away)

Don't walk away, don't say goodbye
Don't turn around, don't let it die
When shadows fall, when day is done




All through the night, all of my life
Don't walk away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Don't Walk Away" by Electric Light Orchestra touch upon the fear and heartbreak of someone realizing that their significant other may be leaving them soon. The songwriter pleads with their lover to stay with them and not walk away, reminding them of the good times they shared before and how much they fear being alone. The lyrics are filled with a sense of desperation and sadness as the songwriter struggles to come to terms with the possible end of their relationship. They will be left with an overwhelming sense of loneliness if their lover chooses to walk away, and they will be forced to face that reality all alone.


The repeated lines "all you gotta do is stay" highlight the simplicity of what the songwriter is asking for from their lover- just to remain together and not give up on the relationship. They suggest that if they stay together, they can overcome any problem or difficulty that may arise. The song's mood is one of longing and sadness, but it is also filled with hope as the artist tries to convince their lover not to walk away from their relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Why do I say, don't walk away
I'm begging you to stay with me and not abandon our relationship.


You'll be the way your were before
If you leave, you'll revert back to your old self and the love that we shared will be gone forever.


When you don't want me anymore
If you no longer love me, walking away will be easy for you but would devastate me.


Don't turn around, don't ever leave
Please don't go and never look back. Our love will grow empty if we drift apart.


A lonely room where empty days
Days would be filled with sorrow and sadness if you depart.


Are gathering to meet me when you're gone-
If you leave, I'd be left with a void within and it would be difficult to cope with the emptiness.


Gone- how in the world will I go on
If you leave me, I won't be able to survive without you.


(Don't walk away) all you gotta do is stay
Just stay in this relationship and don't let our love evaporate.


(Don't walk away) all you gotta do is stay
Don't abandon me and stay with me forever.


(Don't walk away)
Please don't leave me in this darkness.


Don't walk away, don't say goodbye
Don't leave me and end our relationship. It will be unbearable for me.


Don't turn around, don't let it die
Never lose faith in us and let our love wither away.


When shadows fall, when day is done
Even after dark times in life, don't give up on us and keep our love alive.


All through the night, all of my life
I'll always love you forever, through thick and thin.


Don't walk away
Please don't walk away from this relationship, it means everything to me.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEFF LYNNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

maurice ant

ELO were underated, they were ahead of their time. Jeff Lynne is a genius song writer, singer, musician and producer. Mixing typical rock instruments with classical instruments, their critics said it wouldn't work and yet ELO and Jeff made it work. Decades later their music is still as FRESH as ever. Amazing !!

Shirley Kelce

My nephew told me about this recording and I couldn't believe I had never heard it before!
Without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. By the way, I'm 80
years old..............

Carmine Murphy

I love to sing it.
People often ask me to sing it for them, it is hard for me to sing this song, without crying.
I felt line that during my teen years after a break up.

Gabriele Sartori

I was a huge fan of ELO but didn’t know this song😟

Gary Sumner

That's awesome gets me kind of choked up between the gorgeous song and your nephew telling you about the song , it just doesn't really get much better then that....

Ninjabear Press

You should see the movie it's from.
Xanadu, starring Gene Kelly, Michael Beck, and Olivia Newton-John.

2 More Replies...

Connie Maros

My youth is gone. I still have ELO to make me smile!

Laust Jensen

Oh yes we have!!

Carmine Murphy

I'm just a gigolo, and some day, youth will fade away...

Shane Bowers

You right, elo were the best

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