Don't Walk Away
Xanadu Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Why do I say, "Don't walk away"?
You'll be the way you were before
When you don't want me anymore

Don't turn around, don't ever leave
A lonely room where empty days
Are gathering to meet me when you're gone, gone
How in the world will I go on?

(Don't walk away)
All you gotta do is stay
(Don't walk away)
All you gotta do is stay
(Don't walk away)

Don't walk away
(Don't walk away)
Don't say goodbye
(Don't say goodbye)
Don't turn around
(Don't turn around)
Don't let it die
(Don't let it die)

When shadows fall
(When shadows fall)
When day is done
(When day is done)
All through the night
(All through the night)
All of my life
(All of my life)
Don't walk away

Is it a dream? When will it end?
When everything we've ever known
Has ended and I'm all alone
Where will I go? Where will I be?
The feelings that I've never shown
Maybe I'll find the answer when you're gone, gone
How in the world will I go on?

(Don't walk away)
All you gotta do is stay
(Don't walk away)
All you gotta do is stay
(Don't walk away)

Don't walk away
(Don't walk away)
Don't say goodbye
(Don't say goodbye)
Don't turn around
(Don't turn around)
Don't let it die
(Don't let it die)

When shadows fall
(When shadows fall)
When day is done
(When day is done)
All through the night
(All through the night)
All of my life
(All of my life)

(Don't walk away)
Don't walk away
(Don't walk away)
Don't say goodbye
(Don't say goodbye)
Don't turn around
(Don't turn around)
Don't let it die
(Don't let it die)

When shadows fall
(When shadows fall)
When day is done
(When day is done)
All through the night
(All through the night)
All of my life
(All of my life)

Don't walk away
(Don't walk away)
Don't say goodbye
(Don't say goodbye)
Don't turn around
(Don't turn around)
Don't let it die
(Don't let it die)

When shadows fall
(When shadows fall)
When day is done
(When day is done)
All through the night
(All through the night)
All of my life




(All of my life)
Don't walk away

Overall Meaning

"Don't Walk Away" by Xanadu is a ballad about wanting someone to stay and not abandon the relationship. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and pleading, with the singer asking their lover not to leave because of the pain it would cause. The lyrics express the fear of being alone and not knowing how to cope without the person who is leaving. The chorus repeats the phrase "Don't walk away" as a plea to the lover to stay.


The line "You'll be the way you were before" suggests that the singer knows that if the lover leaves, they will revert to their old behavior and be distant and cold once again. The emptiness and loneliness of a loveless room is described in the lyrics, with the singer fearing that their life will be void without the lover. The lyrics also suggest that the singer has been holding back their feelings, possibly out of fear of rejection or vulnerability, and now regrets not expressing them earlier.


Overall, "Don't Walk Away" is a poignant ballad that captures the heartache of a deteriorating relationship and the desperate desire to keep it from ending.


Line by Line Meaning

Why do I say, "Don't walk away"?
I'm pleading with you to stay and not leave me alone.


You'll be the way you were before
Without you, I'll go back to the way I was before we met.


When you don't want me anymore
If you ever stop wanting me, I'll be left with nothing.


Don't turn around, don't ever leave
Please don't turn your back on me and leave me behind.


A lonely room where empty days
Without you, my room is empty and my days are lonely.


Are gathering to meet me when you're gone, gone
My loneliness and emptiness will intensify when you're gone.


How in the world will I go on?
I can't bear the thought of living without you.


All you gotta do is stay
Stay with me and our love will survive.


Don't say goodbye
Don't end our relationship.


Don't turn around
Don't walk away from our love.


Don't let it die
Don't let our love fade away.


When shadows fall
When darkness sets in and my fears appear.


When day is done
When the day's activities are finished and my thoughts turn to you.


All through the night
Even in the darkness of night, I'll be thinking of you.


All of my life
For as long as I live, I'll need you by my side.


Is it a dream? When will it end?
I can't believe how lucky I am, but I fear losing you.


When everything we've ever known
When our relationship is all we have and it's at risk.


Has ended and I'm all alone
If we break up, I'll be left feeling completely alone.


Where will I go? Where will I be?
If I lose you, I'll be lost and unsure of my direction in life.


The feelings that I've never shown
I have deep feelings for you that I still haven't entirely shared.


Maybe I'll find the answer when you're gone, gone
I hope that your absence will help me to sort out my feelings and find a way forward.


Don't walk away
Please stay with me and our love will survive.




Contributed by Emma D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@veeshoe

When you were an 11 year old girl in the 80s, watching this scene and thought it was the most romantic song ever dreamy sigh

@manuela1986

I was 11ish in the late 90s first time seeing this movie and still thinking it was the most romantic song 🤭😁

@LaDominicana2011

I was 9 and yes, absolutely

@paulgillespie9855

Was born 74 i watched this beautiful movie all my life now 47 and it and my soul have not aged a day xoxo ❤

@TheRealMrSnickers

@Paul Gillespie same here Paul. Same age

@paulgillespie9855

@Silver ByTheOz then that makes you a total legend!!!!

22 More Replies...

@davidfrankling175

Rest in Peace Olivia, you will forever be in our hearts .... don't walk away, don't say goodbye, don't let it die 💕

@moonbeam87jackkelly67

Yes C.F.N Ciao For Now Olivia.

@bethanycousineau197

My Grandpa used to listen to this soundtrack all the time when he was downstairs doing some work in their basement when I was a kid. For some reason, this was the song I remember hearing the most. Grandpa's gone now, but listening to this song helps me keep his memory alive.

@annettemurray1594

How cool

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