Long Way Down
Tom Odell Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Walking on the rooftops
Talking of time
With our eyes a glowing
Like the city lights
She stands on the ledge,
She says, "It looks so high"

You know it's a

Long way down
Feels like a long way down
Feels like a long way down
Like a long way down
So honey don't leave, don't leave
Please don't leave me now

'Cause I can feel the rivers
Winding through the lands
Two lines, and a poet
Like a kind old rye
You know we could talk in that language
Only we understand

But you know, honey

It's a long way down
You know it's a long way down
Feels like a long way down
Love it feels like a long way down




So honey don't leave, don't leave
Please don't leave me now

Overall Meaning

In Tom Odell's song "Long Way Down," the lyrics depict a couple standing on the rooftops, admiring the city lights and talking about time. However, the woman stands on the ledge and remarks on how high it looks, leading the singer to express his deep fear of her leaving him. The idea of distance, whether it be the physical height or the emotional distance between two people, is conveyed through the lyrics. The singer longs to connect with the woman and communicate in a language only they understand, but the fear of falling and hitting the ground is a constant reminder of how fragile the connection between them truly is.


The lyrics in "Long Way Down" can be interpreted as a commentary on the fear of vulnerability and the risks that come with opening up to others. The idea that the relationship between two people can feel like a precarious and dangerous endeavor is an ongoing theme in the song. The metaphor of falling from a great height can also represent the fall that comes with heartbreak, which can be just as painful and dangerous. Ultimately, the singer begs the woman not to leave him, as he recognizes that his love and connection to her are the only things keeping him from falling.


Line by Line Meaning

Walking on the rooftops
We are walking on the rooftops of buildings.


Talking of time
We are having a conversation about time.


With our eyes a glowing
Our eyes are shining with excitement or enjoyment.


Like the city lights
Our eyes are shining like the lights of the city.


She stands on the ledge,
A female person is standing on the edge (of a building or similar structure).


She says, "It looks so high"
She expresses that the height is impressive or scary.


You know it's a
It is a common knowledge or realization that what follows is true.


Long way down
The drop is significant or dangerous.


Feels like a long way down
It can be intimidating and scary to look down or contemplate the drop.


Like a long way down
The feeling of height is overwhelming and can be described as being far from the ground.


So honey don't leave, don't leave
The singer is pleading to his loved one not to abandon him in this situation.


Please don't leave me now
He is expressing his anxiety about being left alone.


'Cause I can feel the rivers
The singer is feeling the emotions flowing inside him like the rivers.


Winding through the lands
The emotions are complex and twisted like the paths of rivers through the earth.


Two lines, and a poet
The singer and his loved one are like two lines, and they can express themselves in poetry.


Like a kind old rye
Their expressions are sincere and honest like a mature grain of rye.


You know we could talk in that language
They are communicating in a way that only they can understand and appreciate.


Only we understand
Their communication is a unique bond that only they share.


You know honey
The singer is addressing his loved one affectionately.


It's a long way down
He reminds his partner how dangerous and significant the drop is.


Love it feels like a long way down
The singer confesses that his emotions are as overwhelming and intimidating as the height from which they look.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tom Peter Odell

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

@esterabraniste3829

Walking on the rooftops
Talking of time
With our eyes a glowing
Like the city lights
She stands on the ledge,
She says, 'it looks so high'
You know it's a
Long way down
Feels like a long way down
Feels like a long way down
Like a long way down
So honey don't leave, don't leave,
Please don't leave me now
'Cause I can feel the rivers
Winding through the lands
Two lines, and a poet
Like a kind old rye
You know we could talk in that language
Only we understand
But you know, honey
It's a long way down
You know it's a long way down
Feels like a long way down
Love it feels like a long way down
So honey don't leave, don't leave,
Please don't leave me now



All comments from YouTube:

@phoebebuffay262

i love his voice. it's just, uh idk. makes me feel sadness and happiness at the same time...

@anamendiola8937

Phoebe Buffay same

@SallyEn

Absolutely

@anupam2808

Perfectly true and God bless his voice

@mysterytv2349

I'm with you on that, but it's a good feeling.

@v1itr

True

5 More Replies...

@sahimahfrahman3726

"Hazel Grace"..."Hi Augustus"

@ibrahimhammadi1946

"We all want to be remember "
AUGUSTUS

@aaronofthefuture3424

They played this in the fault in our stars and I freaking lost it

@melinarikkola8808

same 😢

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