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

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Learning to Fly song meanings
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    General Comment

    I always felt the song was about life after getting sober, and "learning to fly" was actually learning how to cope with life after addiction. Coming down is coming down from not only the drugs but the whole lifestyle.

    I don't believe in all the other really specific drug references---that the rocks melting symbolizes crack, for example---I just believe that it's about learning to be free of a shitty past and trying your best to make sense of things. Not easy, but he's trying anyway.

    Mendalusa77on June 28, 2014   Link

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