Vacation
The Go–Go's Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Can't seem to get my mind off of you
Back here at home there's nothin' to do
Now that I'm away
I wish I'd stayed
Tomorrow's a day of mine that you won't be in

When you looked at me I should've run
But I thought it was just for fun
I see I was wrong
And I'm not so strong
I should've known all along that time would tell

A week without you
Thought I'd forget
Two weeks without you and I
Still haven't gotten over you yet

Vacation, all I ever wanted
Vacation, had to get away
Vacation, meant to be spent alone
Vacation, all I ever wanted
Vacation, had to get away
Vacation, meant to be spent alone

A week without you
Thought I'd forget
Two weeks without you and I
Still haven't gotten over you yet

Vacation, all I ever wanted
Vacation, had to get away
Vacation, meant to be spent alone
Vacation, all I ever wanted
Vacation, had to get away
Vacation, meant to be spent alone
Vacation, all I ever wanted




Vacation, had to get away
Vacation, meant to be spent alone

Overall Meaning

The Go-Go's hit song "Vacation" is widely interpreted as a breakup anthem, with the lyrics chronicling the aftermath of a failed romance. The opening lines set the scene, with the singer admitting they can't stop thinking about their ex. They feel stuck at home with nothing to keep them occupied, and as they head off on a trip, they regret not staying put. The singer realizes that the relationship was not just a fling, but they thought it was "just for fun." As the days turn into weeks, they struggle to move on without their former love.


The chorus of "Vacation" serves as a catchy and upbeat refrain, providing some reprieve from the heartbreak in the verses. However, the song is less about escaping to a tropical paradise as it is about enduring the pain of separation. The use of the word "vacation" actually refers to the singer's desire to take a break from their emotional turmoil and spend time alone, rather than seeking out new experiences. The song's structure reinforces this idea, with the repetitive nature of the chorus creating a sense of monotony and boredom, mirroring the singer's sense of stasis in the face of heartbreak.


Overall, "Vacation" is a timeless pop classic that captures the raw emotions of a broken heart. It's a song that many can relate to, whether they're going through a breakup or simply looking for a change of scenery. Its catchy melody and simple yet potent lyrics have cemented its place in the canon of '80s music.


Line by Line Meaning

Can't seem to get my mind off of you
I am struggling to stop thinking about you


Back here at home there's nothin' to do
Being home without you is boring


Now that I'm away
Since I have left you behind


I wish I'd stayed
I regret not staying with you


Tomorrow's a day of mine that you won't be in
You won't be a part of my future plans


When you looked at me I should've run
I should have avoided you from the start


But I thought it was just for fun
I believed it was just a casual relationship


I see I was wrong
I have realized my mistake


And I'm not so strong
I am not emotionally strong enough to handle this


I should've known all along that time would tell
I should have recognized from the beginning that the truth would come out eventually


A week without you
I spent one week without you


Thought I'd forget
I hoped I could forget about you


Two weeks without you and I
I spent two weeks without you, and


Still haven't gotten over you yet
I am still not over you


Vacation, all I ever wanted
I desired a break from reality


Vacation, had to get away
I had to escape from my current situation


Vacation, meant to be spent alone
I intended to spend my vacation by myself


Vacation, all I ever wanted
I still longed for a vacation


Vacation, had to get away
I still needed to get away


Vacation, meant to be spent alone
I still wanted to spend my vacation alone




Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Charlotte Caffey, Jane Wiedlin, Kathy Valentine

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

@victorsilvapacheco9630

Can't seem to get my mind off of you
Back here at home there's nothin' to do
Now that I'm away
I wish I'd stayed
Tomorrow's a day of mine that you won't be in

When you looked at me I should've run
But I thought it was just for fun
I see I was wrong
And I'm not so strong
I should've known all along that time would tell

A week without you
Thought I'd forget
Two weeks without you and I
Still haven't gotten over you yet

Vacation
All I ever wanted
Vacation
Had to get away
Vacation
Meant to be spent alone

A week without you
Thought I'd forget
Two weeks without you and I
Still haven't gotten over you yet

Vacation
All I ever wanted
Vacation
Had to get away
Vacation
Meant to be spent alone



All comments from YouTube:

@1stKnight.

As a 55 year old man, I to grew up listening to The Go-Go's. I was in love with all of them!
I saw them in concert at age 48, and I danced on stage with them!
They played the soundtrack to my life.

@gaguirre1447

😢👍💪

@maxpaynegk

Good on you, brother.

@EnkinduGamer

That's so cool! Sounds like a dream come true.

@chd1694

Hell yeah. Been around longer than 🕷️ man but it was great they included this song in the movie.

@vxy357

I'm sooo jealous of you!

7 More Replies...

@ThisWeekInThe80s

Belinda's voice is so beautiful. I love this 80s band so much!

@tomlindsey3605

@Kevin Dorfman p

@michaelhegyan7464

Drew Barrymore's favorite rock band..!

@Cutirimicuador

She is a man

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