Tom Petty: Runnin' Down a Dream Meaning

Song Released: 1989

Runnin' Down a Dream Lyrics

It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down
I had the radio on, I was drivin
The trees went by, me and del were singin
Little runaway, I was flyin

Yeah runnin down a dream
That never would come to me
Workin on a mystery, goin wherever it...

1. anonymous

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   Nov 4th 2019 !⃝

   to me the song sounds like its talking about mania with the lyrics “the sun beat down” talking about the light being enhanced and brighter with the rhythm of the beat going along and explaining it and the lyrics “working on a mystery” for the people with mania who work on pointless things but seem to come up with the conclusions that make absolutely no sense and “felt so good like anything was possible, but cruse control and rubbed my eyes” talking about the pure confidence that comes with mania along with no sleep and simply going with the flow of how it works. “the last three days the rain was unstoppable” talking about how mania lasts for continuous days and most of the times is very unstoppable
2. anonymous

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   Jul 3rd 2015 !⃝

   It's just a big acid trip
3. anonymous

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   Jun 18th 2012 !⃝

   @anonymous False. The song was recorded in 1988, Del Shannon died in 1990. Unless Tom Petty or a Heartbreaker can see into the future, that is impossible.
4. anonymous

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   Aug 14th 2006 !⃝

   The song takes place a few days before the suicide death of del shannon, a friend of tom petty's. The reckless optimism of the song is overshadowed by the dark clouds and rain, representing dels manic depression which led to his death a few days later.

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