The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Gravity
(Promise me you'll stay strong)
And carry on
Carry on
I'm here to say goodbye
A spell, a prayer, you try
To bring me back to life
(Don't follow me, follow me)
So look me in my eyes
Sing me lullabies
Hold me til it's time
(Don't follow me, follow me)
Gravity don't mean that much to me
Now I'm falling near the atmosphere
No shackles on my feet
And I know I may be already gone
Just promise you'll stay strong
And carry on
Carry on
I don't miss the way it hurts
A blessing? It's a curse
We're better off or worse?
(Don't follow me, follow me)
Like a child, I have learned
Everybody waits their turn
Like a phoenix, I will burn
(Don't follow me, follow me)
Oh, this is it, I can feel my breath slowing
And my heart is beating weaker from the pain I'm not knowing
So {?}, wipe the tears from your eyes
'Cause this is goodbye
(Don't follow me, follow me)
Gravity don't mean that much to me
Now I'm falling near the atmosphere
No shackles on my feet
And I know I may be already gone
Just promise you'll stay strong
And carry on
Carry on
Who we are is determined by the scars
Death is like a one way ticket to a distant star
All we are is a cosmic dust that scatters free
With no sense of direction, we're just wandering
Who we are is determined by the scars (We're wandering)
Death is like a one way ticket to a distant star (We're wandering)
All we are is a cosmic dust that scatters free
With no sense of direction, we're just wandering
(We're just wandering)
Gravity don't mean that much to me
Now I'm falling near the atmosphere
No shackles on my feet
And I know I may be already gone
Just promise you'll stay strong
And carry on
Gravity (We're wandering)
Gravity (We're wandering)
We're wandering
We're just- we're just- we're just wandering
Who we are is determined by the scars (We're wandering)
Death is like a one way ticket to a distant star (We're wandering)
All we are is a cosmic dust that scatters free
With no sense of direction, we're just wandering
(We're just wandering)
(Promise me you'll stay strong)
And carry on
Carry on
I'm here to say goodbye
A spell, a prayer, you try
To bring me back to life
(Don't follow me, follow me)
So look me in my eyes
Sing me lullabies
Hold me til it's time
(Don't follow me, follow me)
Gravity don't mean that much to me
Now I'm falling near the atmosphere
No shackles on my feet
And I know I may be already gone
Just promise you'll stay strong
And carry on
Carry on
I don't miss the way it hurts
A blessing? It's a curse
We're better off or worse?
(Don't follow me, follow me)
Like a child, I have learned
Everybody waits their turn
Like a phoenix, I will burn
(Don't follow me, follow me)
Oh, this is it, I can feel my breath slowing
And my heart is beating weaker from the pain I'm not knowing
So {?}, wipe the tears from your eyes
'Cause this is goodbye
(Don't follow me, follow me)
Gravity don't mean that much to me
Now I'm falling near the atmosphere
No shackles on my feet
And I know I may be already gone
Just promise you'll stay strong
And carry on
Carry on
Who we are is determined by the scars
Death is like a one way ticket to a distant star
All we are is a cosmic dust that scatters free
With no sense of direction, we're just wandering
Who we are is determined by the scars (We're wandering)
Death is like a one way ticket to a distant star (We're wandering)
All we are is a cosmic dust that scatters free
With no sense of direction, we're just wandering
(We're just wandering)
Gravity don't mean that much to me
Now I'm falling near the atmosphere
No shackles on my feet
And I know I may be already gone
Just promise you'll stay strong
And carry on
Gravity (We're wandering)
Gravity (We're wandering)
We're wandering
We're just- we're just- we're just wandering
Who we are is determined by the scars (We're wandering)
Death is like a one way ticket to a distant star (We're wandering)
All we are is a cosmic dust that scatters free
With no sense of direction, we're just wandering
(We're just wandering)
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
Carry On Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this about someone determining they need to will themselves to have the strength to distance themselves from a person (telling them to stay strong) & situation in their life. They have to let go, as painful as it may be knowing in the end it's for the best. I also feel this song may also be in reference to the bands lead guitarist Derek Jones who died on April 21, 2020 (cause of death still unknown). Derek's fiance also passed away, last year after losing a battle with cancer.