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.
Walkin' around
All over town
Walkin' it out, when you want to
Soldiering my stylus, smiling
Turn it into whatever I choose and
Take me now to the water
Don't be late, I hear it's
Gonna be so very great and
Out the door, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
All the reasons that I count up
You can't haul away, and
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
Kick it around
Stare at the ground
Breakin' it down, when you want to
Soldiering, my days are chosen
Dance around, do whatever I want to
Take me now, it's the water
Don't be late, I hear it's
Gonna be so very great and
Out the door, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
All the reasons that I count up
You can't haul away, and
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
I think I know
Everything you're gonna say
I think you know
Why I wanna runaway
Don't be late, I hear it's
Gonna be so very great and
Out the door, I'm walkin' like a runaway
All the reasons that I count up
You can't haul away, and
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
Don't be late, I hear it's
Gonna be so very great and
Out the door, I'm walkin' like a runaway
All the reasons that I count up
You can't haul away, and
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
All the reasons that I count up
You can't haul away, and
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
Out the door, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
All over town
Walkin' it out, when you want to
Soldiering my stylus, smiling
Turn it into whatever I choose and
Take me now to the water
Don't be late, I hear it's
Gonna be so very great and
Out the door, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
All the reasons that I count up
You can't haul away, and
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
Kick it around
Stare at the ground
Breakin' it down, when you want to
Soldiering, my days are chosen
Dance around, do whatever I want to
Take me now, it's the water
Don't be late, I hear it's
Gonna be so very great and
Out the door, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
All the reasons that I count up
You can't haul away, and
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
I think I know
Everything you're gonna say
I think you know
Why I wanna runaway
Don't be late, I hear it's
Gonna be so very great and
Out the door, I'm walkin' like a runaway
All the reasons that I count up
You can't haul away, and
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
Don't be late, I hear it's
Gonna be so very great and
Out the door, I'm walkin' like a runaway
All the reasons that I count up
You can't haul away, and
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
All the reasons that I count up
You can't haul away, and
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
More and more, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
Out the door, I'm a-walkin' like a runaway
Lyrics submitted by bicycle runaway
Runaway Lyrics as written by John Anthony Frusciante Michael Peter Balzary
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Wow first comment.. this is a fantastic song!! I'm thinking it's about running away from something ;) Although it also sorta seems like he just looks like one.. Anyway, great song!!!!