Walk Away
John Foxx Lyrics


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When I walk away I notice
That the streets won't stay in focus
And then when I turn my head
I'm listening
As the pictures slowly shifting
Back again
When I walk away
When I walk away
I walk away
Walk away
Walk away

In the special room
And someone almost there
And now the rain is gone
And the air is clear
In the waking warm
And on the shimmer shore
And on the gilded falls
Just like the time before
When things get so displaced
When I walk away
When I walk away
I walk away
Walk away
Walk away
Oh, walk away
Walk away
Walk away

Oh in the dawn adrift
And through the howling dark
With such a tender step
With such a crowded heart
And I'll be someone else
I'll be the passing man
I'll be the voice in sleep
I'll be the waving hand
But something always stays
When I walk away
When I walk away
I walk away
Walk away
Walk away
Oh, walk away




Walk away
Walk away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in John Foxx's song "Walk Away" explore the theme of disconnection and displacement. It speaks of the feeling of disorientation that comes from walking away or leaving a familiar place or situation. The first verse describes how the surroundings become blurred and unfocused once we turn away. It suggests that the connection to our environment is not just rooted in observation but also in our personal experience of it.


The second verse speaks of a "special room" and the feeling of being incomplete, of being almost there, but not quite. The following lines then say that after the rain clears, and the air becomes fresh, we are reminded of the beauty of nature. The last verse describes movement through different spaces, the things we leave behind, and the relationships we form. It suggests that even though we may leave something or someone behind, there is always something left behind that keeps us connected to them.


In summary, the song "Walk Away" is about the separation and disorientation that comes with leaving something behind. It captures both the beauty and sadness of moving on by exploring the different feelings that arise when we walk away.


Line by Line Meaning

When I walk away I notice
I observe that when I leave something behind


That the streets won't stay in focus
The surroundings become blurry as I leave


And then when I turn my head
After turning back to glance


I'm listening
I pay attention to what's around me


As the pictures slowly shifting
The changes happening in the scenery attract my attention


Back again
I go back to where I started


When I walk away
Every time I leave


When I walk away
Again, when I leave


I walk away
I'm physically distancing myself


Walk away
The act of me leaving


Walk away
Same as before


Oh, walk away
An intense feeling or situation of leaving


Walk away
Continuing to describe how I'm leaving something behind


Walk away
Same as before


In the special room
The environment I was previously in


And someone almost there
Perhaps a person I was near to in that environment


And now the rain is gone
A sign that the environment is changing


And the air is clear
Atmosphere is improved


In the waking warm
The warmth of being conscious and present


And on the shimmer shore
The gleaming coast which stands out


And on the gilded falls
Also, the waterfall displaying a golden hue


Just like the time before
Comparable to another experience


When things get so displaced
Moments when my display of emotions are disrupted


Oh in the dawn adrift
Another time of shifting, in the early morning


And through the howling dark
Moving through a dangerous, scary time


With such a tender step
Softly and delicately moving, so as not to disturb the moment or environment


With such a crowded heart
Despite leaving something behind, having more than one emotion that fills the space


And I'll be someone else
I will have to start over, and become someone who is new to the environment


I'll be the passing man
A reflection of who I am in the moment


I'll be the voice in sleep
The sound or memory that recurs as I think about the previous environment or experience


I'll be the waving hand
The common gesture made during leaving, which is me in this instance


But something always stays
Despite leaving behind experiences, effects from them will linger


When I walk away
The feeling and act of distancing oneself


When I walk away
Leaving as before


I walk away
Phrasing used to show how it feels to be away from something previous; nostalgic, reflective, etc.


Walk away
Another way to convey when I leave or have left


Walk away
Same as above




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ELMER BERNSTEIN, CAROLYN LEIGH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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