Looking at your watch a third time
Waiting in the station for the bus
Going to a place that's far
So far away and if that's not enough
Going where nobody says hello
They don't talk to anybody they don't know

You'll wind up in some factory
That's full-time filth and nowhere left to go
Walk home to an empty house
Sit around all by yourself
I know it might sound strange, but I believe
You'll be coming back before too long

Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
And waste another year

At night, I drink myself to sleep
And pretend I don't care that you're not here with me
'Cause it's so much easier to handle
All my problems if I'm too far out to sea
But something better happen soon
Or it's gonna be too late to bring you back

Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
And waste another year

It's not as though I really need you
If you were here, I'd only bleed you
But everybody else in town only wants to bring you down
And that's not how it ought to be
I know it might sound strange, but I believe
You'll be coming back before too long

Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
And waste another year
Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
Don't go back to Rockville
And waste another year


Lyrics submitted by xpankfrisst

(Don't Go Back To) Rockville Lyrics as written by Peter Buck Bill Berry

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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(Don't Go Back To) Rockville song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    Peter Buck produced an Uncle Tupelo album, "March 16—20, 1992", wich was released on Rockville Records. I always thought it would have been nice if the song were a reference to that. It isn't, of course, it was written years earlier. But it is one of my favourite R.E.M. songs, especially with Mills on vocals.

    Paperboyon September 18, 2009   Link

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