I think the meaning is a little different than most of ones I have read. First Tom Petty said it was not about a suicide. That is an urban legend. What I think it is about is the disillusionment that can come from loving. She was an American girl raised on Promises- She put her trust in to someone and he broke his promises. It was a great big world with lots of places to run to- Lots of men to run to also. She is using promiscuity to get rid of her pain. And if she had to die tryin' She had one little promise she was gonna keep-That is to herself, not to put her heart out there to get hurt again. Oh yeah, all right, take it easy baby, make it last all night-There is the promiscuity. Well it was kind of cold that night she stood alone on her balcony-He is asleep after sex (typical guy) she decides to get some fresh air. Out on 441 like the waves crashin’ on the beach- the drone of a highway can sound like the ocean. For one desperate moment there he crept back in her memory- She is trying to forget him but, it’s hard when you are alone with your thoughts. God it’s so painful that something so close could still be so far out of reach-She knows what she really wants she will never find through going to bed with a lot of guys but, she can’t put her heart out there yet, her body but not her heart.
I think the meaning is a little different than most of ones I have read. First Tom Petty said it was not about a suicide. That is an urban legend. What I think it is about is the disillusionment that can come from loving. She was an American girl raised on Promises- She put her trust in to someone and he broke his promises. It was a great big world with lots of places to run to- Lots of men to run to also. She is using promiscuity to get rid of her pain. And if she had to die tryin' She had one little promise she was gonna keep-That is to herself, not to put her heart out there to get hurt again. Oh yeah, all right, take it easy baby, make it last all night-There is the promiscuity. Well it was kind of cold that night she stood alone on her balcony-He is asleep after sex (typical guy) she decides to get some fresh air. Out on 441 like the waves crashin’ on the beach- the drone of a highway can sound like the ocean. For one desperate moment there he crept back in her memory- She is trying to forget him but, it’s hard when you are alone with your thoughts. God it’s so painful that something so close could still be so far out of reach-She knows what she really wants she will never find through going to bed with a lot of guys but, she can’t put her heart out there yet, her body but not her heart.
@Justguessing I think you are right, sure hits home.
@Justguessing I think you are right, sure hits home.