Free Fallin'
Guns n' Roses feat. Tom Petty Lyrics


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She's a good girl, loves her mama
Loves Jesus, and America too
She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend too

And it's a long day, livin' in Reseda
There's a freeway runnin' through the yard
And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart

And I'm free
Free fallin'
Yeah, I'm free
Free fallin'

All the vampires walkin' through the valley
Move west down Ventura Boulevard
And all the bad boys are standin' in the shadows
And the good girls are home with broken hearts

And I'm free
I'm free fallin'
Yeah, I'm free
Free fallin'

(Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)
(Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)

I wanna glide down over Mulholland
I wanna write her name in the sky
I'm gonna free fall out into nothin'
Gonna leave this world for a while

And I'm free (fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)
Free fallin' (free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)
Yeah, I'm free (fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)
Free fallin' (free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)

(Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)
Yeah, I'm free
Free fallin'
Oh
(Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)
Free fallin' (free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)
And I'm free (free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)
Oh, free fallin' (free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)




(Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)
Free fallin' (free fallin', I'm-a)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Free Fallin'" by Guns n' Roses feat. Tom Petty depict a contrasting image of a good girl and a bad boy, as well as the struggles and dynamics of life in Reseda, California.


The opening lines describe the good girl, who loves her mother, Jesus, and America. She is also fond of Elvis, horses, and her boyfriend. This portrays a wholesome and innocent image of the girl, emphasizing her love for family, religion, and typical American interests.


The following lines introduce the singer, who admits to being a bad boy. He mentions living in Reseda, a neighborhood with a freeway running through it. The use of "bad boy" suggests rebelliousness and a lack of regard for the good girl, as indicated by the line "I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart." This highlights a theme of contrasting personalities and the strain within their relationship.


The chorus, "And I'm free, Free fallin'," captures a sense of freedom and letting go. It could be interpreted as the bad boy's desire to break away from his current situation, possibly symbolizing a need for liberation from his own destructive behavior and the repercussions of his actions.


The next verse references vampires walking through the valley and bad boys lurking in the shadows along Ventura Boulevard. Here, the lyrics create a darker atmosphere, contrasting the good girls who are left with broken hearts. This suggests that while the good girls remain loyal and commit themselves to relationships, the bad boys continue to engage in questionable activities.


The desire to glide down Mulholland and write her name in the sky represents the singer's yearning for transcendence and a fresh start. The lyrics convey a desire to leave everything behind, even if only temporarily, and escape from the troubles of the world.


In the final repetitions of the chorus, the lyrics reinforce the idea of freedom, but also leave room for individual interpretation. The repetition of "free fallin'" adds an element of surrender, hinting at the possibility of finding oneself in the process of letting go.


Overall, the lyrics of "Free Fallin'" convey a story of contrasting personalities, the struggles within relationships, and the longing for freedom and escape. It reflects the complexities of human emotions and the desire to break free from certain circumstances that hold us back.


Line by Line Meaning

She's a good girl, loves her mama
She is a kind and virtuous woman who deeply cares for her mother


Loves Jesus, and America too
She has a strong love and devotion for both Jesus and her country, America


She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
Despite being a good girl, she has an intense obsession with Elvis Presley


Loves horses and her boyfriend too
She not only loves horses but also has strong affection for her boyfriend


And it's a long day, livin' in Reseda
Living in Reseda feels like an endless, tiresome day


There's a freeway runnin' through the yard
A busy highway passes right through her residential property


And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her
I am considered a rebel because I do not feel any longing or nostalgia for her


I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart
My actions have caused her emotional pain and I am labeled as a heartbreaker


And I'm free
I feel liberated and unrestricted


Free fallin'
Falling freely and without restraints


All the vampires walkin' through the valley
In this desolate place, there are many deceitful and manipulative individuals


Move west down Ventura Boulevard
They are heading towards the western side of town through Ventura Boulevard


And all the bad boys are standin' in the shadows
Mischievous and rebellious men choose to remain hidden in the darkness


And the good girls are home with broken hearts
The virtuous women are left heartbroken, staying at home in their despair


I wanna glide down over Mulholland
I desire to smoothly descend over Mulholland Drive


I wanna write her name in the sky
I yearn to inscribe her name in the vast expanse of the sky


I'm gonna free fall out into nothin'
I have decided to willingly plunge into a void, detaching myself from everything


Gonna leave this world for a while
I intend to temporarily escape from this world


Oh
An expression used to show a sudden realization or surprise


And I'm free
Once again, I feel liberated and unencumbered


Oh, free fallin'
Oh, joyfully descending freely without restraints




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jeff Lynne, Thomas Earl Petty

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@esmewvimes2901

Just missing Tom today. And every day.

This has to be one of the best albums in Rock history. It's perfect.

I moved across the country only to have my apartment fall through on arrival. Me and my dog had to shack up with a stranger for 6 months.

When I got my place I cranked my Stereo (no neighbors) and danced to Apartment Song with my dog. That was a long time ago, but Tom was there.

Full Moon Fever is my favorite Petty album. Probably because it was my first Tom Petty cassette and I played that fucker till it disintegrated and bought another.

Wildflowers is my next favorite, even before the re-release launched it all the way to whatever gig Tom's playing now.

Tom, I love you more than my clumsy words can say. I miss you so damn bad.



All comments from YouTube:

@doylescustoms2643

This was my little brother’s favorite song. He died in 1994, at 7 yrs old. I visit this song to remember him, and use it as the music to my mental montage of his life

@69Phuket

Little guy is already your bezzy mate. My ex Cat is my friends Daughter.. Samsara is a wicked place 2 be. :)

@BADDRIVINGINCANADA

Sorry about your brother passing at such a young age

@jolawolska1451

Och brak słów.Wielka strata.😢

@unni4346

🙏

@chrissiebawn9357

❤🙏❤

1 More Replies...

@TheIkaraCult

The older i get, the more I feel Tom's songs. He was a true artist.

@annettestobb2847

Yeah... he was a true legendary man of music
He managed to find a new audience every 2 years and always kept the music just as fresh!
#TomPetty

@gamecocks1150

I have heard this song so many times i would turn the radio down or change the station. Going into work the other morning and i turned it up and i thought the same thing you posted.

@matthewestrada5217

Couldn't say it better

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