Free Fallin'
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakes Lyrics
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Loves Jesus and America too
She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend too
It's a long day living in Reseda
There's a freeway runnin' through the yard
And I'm a bad boy 'cause I don't even miss her
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 standing in the shadows
All the good girls are home with broken hearts
And I'm free, free fallin'
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
I want to glide down over Mulholland
I want to write her name in the sky
Gonna free fall out into nothin'
Gonna leave this world for a while
And I'm free, free fallin'
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'
The lyrics to Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" paint a picture of life in the San Fernando Valley, particularly the neighborhood of Reseda. The first verse describes a "good girl" who loves her family, her country, Elvis Presley, horses, and her boyfriend. The second verse reveals the singer's bad boy persona, as he acknowledges that he doesn't miss the same girl he's just described lovingly. He's free to fall and do as he pleases.
The third verse introduces another image of the San Fernando Valley: vampires walking by day and bad boys lurking in the shadows. The good girls are home heartbroken from relationships with the bad boys. The song's catchy chorus, "I'm free, free fallin'" repeats throughout the song, mirroring the feeling of being suspended in air, lost in freedom.
While the song may seem like a simple anthem to rebel and freedom, many interpretations have arisen over the years. Some have suggested that the song is a reflection on the cultural changes of the 1980s, specifically the shift to individuality and consumer culture. Others have suggested that the song is about isolation, particularly for those living in suburban neighborhoods.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a good girl, loves her mama
She is a nice girl who loves and takes care of her mother.
Loves Jesus and America too
She is a Christian who loves her religion and country.
She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
She is a fan of Elvis Presley and loves his music.
Loves horses and her boyfriend too
She loves horses and also has a boyfriend who she cares for.
It's a long day living in Reseda
Living in Reseda, a city in California, makes the day feel long.
There's a freeway runnin' through the yard
A highway runs through the neighborhood and closes to her house.
And I'm a bad boy 'cause I don't even miss her
The singer thinks himself a bad guy because he does not miss the good girl mentioned earlier.
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart
He thinks himself a bad guy for breaking her heart.
And I'm free, free fallin'
He feels free and is falling freely.
All the vampires walkin' through the valley
He sees people with pale faces and dark clothes walking around the valley.
Move west down Ventura boulevard
People with odd appearances moving down Ventura Boulevard, a commercial street in Los Angeles.
And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows
The bad guys hang around in alleys and obscure places.
All the good girls are home with broken hearts
The good girls stayed home feeling sad and heartbroken.
And I'm free, free fallin'
He is still having a feeling of freedom and falling freely.
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'
The singer is echoing his freedom and free-falling.
Free fallin', now I'm free fallin', now I'm
He implies that he is still in a state of freefall.
I want to glide down over Mulholland
He wants to fly smoothly over the Mulholland Drive, a scenic road in Los Angeles.
I want to write her name in the sky
He desires to immortalize the good girl by writing her name on the sky.
Gonna free fall out into nothin'
The singer intends to fall into a state of emptiness.
Gonna leave this world for a while
He is going to leave the world and all its worries.
And I'm free, free fallin'
He feels free and is still free-falling.
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'
He affirms his status of freedom and free-falling.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFF LYNNE, TOM PETTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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.
@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
❤🙏❤
@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