Well I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still

I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

Well, the good ol' days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn

I'm learning to fly (learning to fly) but I ain't got wings (learning to fly)
Coming down (learning to fly) is the hardest thing (learning to fly)

Well, some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out for God-knows-where
I guess I'll know when I get there

I'm learning to fly, around the clouds
But what goes up (learning to fly) must come down

I'm learning to fly (learning to fly), but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

I'm learning to fly (learning to fly), around the clouds
But what goes up (learning to fly) must come down

I'm learning to fly (learning to fly)
(Learning to fly) learning to fly
(Learning to fly)
(Learning to fly)
(Learning to fly)
(Learning to fly)


Lyrics submitted by oofus

Learning To Fly Lyrics as written by Tom Petty Jeff Lynne

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Gone Gator Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Learning to Fly song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

64 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +11
    General Comment

    i found an explination of this song in a book about tom petty

    "I think i was coming to grips with the view that you can be optimistic, hopeful and as good a person as you want to be, but its not going to make life simple for you. Nothing will. You can have all the success you want and its not going to make your life-really your personal life-much easier than anyone else's. The song was also influenced by the Gulf War. It was written during the time the war was breaking out, everything was very grey, and there were burning oceans and oil fires. I was disappointed by the war and the attitude of the American people. I certainly didn't blame the soldiers for going there, but I felt that few people wanted to challenge the Bush administration on its lies. It was a bad time and I really think it influenced the tone of the album(Into the Great Wide Open)."

    shed27on June 25, 2003   Link
  • +9
    My Interpretation

    Probably one of his most appealing songs of all time. This song basically states that although sometimes 'life' may beat you down, 'break' your heart and steal your crown we can all 'Learn to fly'. Despite anything and everything that has happened to me over the past ten years, two near fatal car accidents, two previous engagements both ended after each of the car crashes (where 'some say life will beat you down') I've been lucky to have managed to pull through all of these misfortunes and artists like Tom Petty have been such an inspiration to me during my months and years of recovery!

    Plonkaon December 15, 2012   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    uhhhh, i think you guys are trying to look for metaphors that arent there. This song isnt about drugs, or religion. Its simply about life. He's learning to fly, meaning, he is learning how to live. Coming down, like he gets hurt in different ways, but he still gets back up. And god damn, the most obvious part where it talks about life beating you down, HELLO! DOES ANYBODY HAVE A BRAIN? He finishes off by saying he doesnt know where he will end up, until he gets there. Damn i thought there were more smart people out there, guess not.

    vipergt196on June 06, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    definitely not about weed, "rocks may melt" probably about crack. Pot doesn't make you able to fly. unless you got some real expensive weed. love this song.

    drummerpenguinon March 06, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i think the song is multilayered/ambigious,although inspired by him seeing a plane flying it's obviously still works on metaphor.Yes i'm aware there are strong drug references in it but it can also be read as a drug free song.It can be about life in general and its many hardships-losing things you know you can never get back like youth,a person you are in love with after a relationship,good health if you had an accident or illness....It's about acceptance of what is and embracing it and learning to deal with it cos sooner or later we all lose things/people we love be it through death/relationship breakup and just through general situation changes.

    billythepubon October 18, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song is about Tom's descent into heroin addiction. It was written early in the process, before he became a slave to it.

    Arcata1on August 03, 2021   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I have never liked Petty's voice, but I've always liked this track. Obviously flying is not literal. It's about learning to fly (be independent, I suppose) and all the ups and downs that go along with being free. Sometimes you soar and other times you flop, but it's a great feeling to know that it's within you to either make the most of your life or die trying:)

    SweetCheeks2on February 19, 2012   Link
  • +1
    Lyric Correction

    "Well some say life will beat you down" should be, "The sensory life will beat you down."

    The song is about rising above the baser world and how no matter how hard you try there will always be times when you sink back down into it.

    Zenmervolton July 17, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song really hits hard and true. My favorite TP song for sure. Sums up life (at least mine) for sure.

    mbrachmanon November 04, 2023   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song may be obvious, but i would say it is definetly about getting high. And thats about it.

    Cory_420on April 25, 2002   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Midnight
Ed Sheeran
“Midnight” is a song about finding a love that is so true that it provides a calming feeling through every storm. Ed Sheeran reflects on his good fortunes in landing someone with such peace and support and speaks of not fearing the dark days because he knows they’ll all end in the safety nets of her arms. “Well, good morning there / What a way to start the day / With everything laid bare,” Ed Sheeran sings in the first verse, enthusiastic to be waking up beside his woman. He apologizes for missing her calls in the second verse and promises to return them because for him, speaking to her is the most important thing. “Well, I get lost inside my head / In this chaos, you’re my calm / And I will find my feet again / ‘Cause еven the worst days of my life will always еnd / At midnight in your arms,” sings Ed Sheeran in the chorus, revelling in his good luck.