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.
(Are you going away with no word of farewell will there be not a trace left behind)
Well I could have loved you better didn't mean to be unkind
You know that was the last thing on my mind
It's a lesson too late for the learnin' made of sand made of sand
In the wink of an eye my soul is turnin' in your hand in your hand
Are you going away...
You've got reasons of plenty for going this I know this I know
All the weeds have been steadily growing please don't go please don't go
Are you going away...
You know that was the last thing on my mind
You know that was the last thing on my mind
Well I could have loved you better didn't mean to be unkind
You know that was the last thing on my mind
It's a lesson too late for the learnin' made of sand made of sand
In the wink of an eye my soul is turnin' in your hand in your hand
Are you going away...
You've got reasons of plenty for going this I know this I know
All the weeds have been steadily growing please don't go please don't go
Are you going away...
You know that was the last thing on my mind
You know that was the last thing on my mind
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Last Thing on My Mind Lyrics as written by Tom Paxton
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.