Pete Yorn (b. July 27, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist… Read Full Bio ↴Pete Yorn (b. July 27, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist originally from Montville, New Jersey, United States.

Yorn started as a drummer who also played guitar. In 1990, he was drumming for his band in a high school talent contest when someone suggested he sing the Replacements song "Talent Show." That went over so well, a competing band asked him to sing Neil Young’s "Rockin' In the Free World" with them.

He was first recognized when the Farrelly brothers picked "Strange Condition" for their film Me, Myself & Irene.

He has gained increasing popularity following the use of his song "Just Another" on popular WB television show Dawson's Creek.

Another of his songs, Murray was used in the credits of the film Igby Goes Down

The song "Undercover" was used in the first Spiderman movie and appears on the soundtrack.

The song "Lose You" was used in the closing of an episode of House on Fox.

Stay Away
Pete Yorn Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wanted to stay away
I'm telling you all, my friends
I wanted to stay away
Never could see this end
I wanted to stay away
I wanted to stay away
And never see what they call their own
I wanted to stay away

I wanted to rest here on my own
I wanted to stay away
Another disguise
In pictures of your family
Seem so good to me
And on this Fourth of July
And all their names escaping me
It's a fleeting feeling
When all the leaves fall away
Leave you until the storm has ended
I want you to stay away
Till I find what it was I lost
I wanted to stay away
I wanted to stay away
I wanted to stay away

I wanted to stay away
I wanted to stay away

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics of "Stay Away" by Pete Yorn, the singer expresses a strong desire to distance himself from something or someone. The repetition of "I wanted to stay away" emphasizes this yearning for isolation and detachment. Despite this longing, the singer acknowledges the difficulty in achieving this separation as indicated by the line "Never could see this end." This internal conflict between wanting to stay away and the inability to fully disconnect creates a sense of tension and inner turmoil within the singer.

The mention of "pictures of your family" suggests a struggle with familial ties or connections that the singer finds appealing yet restrictive. The Fourth of July symbolizes a significant American holiday, a time of celebration and independence, contrasting with the singer's desire to stay away. The line "And all their names escaping me" may indicate a sense of detachment or disconnection from those around him, adding to the theme of isolation and distance present throughout the song.

The imagery of leaves falling away conveys a sense of loss and impermanence, reflecting the transient nature of relationships and emotions. The plea for the other person to "stay away" until the singer finds what was lost hints at a search for something deeper or a need for personal introspection. The repetition of the desire to stay away reinforces the conflicted feelings within the singer and the struggle to find emotional stability amidst chaos and uncertainty.

Overall, "Stay Away" delves into themes of longing for solitude, grappling with inner conflicts, and seeking resolution amidst a sense of disconnection. The lyrics capture the complexities of human relationships and emotions, portraying a raw and introspective journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Through poignant imagery and emotive language, Pete Yorn crafts a compelling narrative that resonates with listeners who have experienced the push and pull of wanting to stay away while simultaneously craving connection and understanding.

Line by Line Meaning

I wanted to stay away
I desired to keep my distance

I'm telling you all, my friends
I am confiding in all of you, my friends

Never could see this end
I never foresaw this conclusion

And never see what they call their own
And avoid witnessing what they claim as theirs

I wanted to rest here on my own
I wished to find solace in solitude

Another disguise
Another facade

In pictures of your family
Within images of your loved ones

Seem so good to me
Appear quite pleasant to me

And on this Fourth of July
And on this Independence Day

And all their names escaping me
And all their names slipping from my memory

It's a fleeting feeling
It's a temporary emotion

When all the leaves fall away
As all the leaves drop to the ground

Leave you until the storm has ended
Abandon you until the turbulent period is over

Till I find what it was I lost
Until I rediscover what I had misplaced

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: JACKSON PHILLIPS, PETER J. YORN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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