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.
There's a southern accent
Where I come from
The young 'uns call it country
The Yankees call it dumb
I got my own way of talkin'
But everything is done
With a southern accent
Where I come from
Now that drunk tank in Atlanta's
Just a motel room to me
Think I might go work Orlando
If them orange groves don't freeze
I got my own way of workin'
And everything is run
With a southern accent
Where I come from
For just a minute there, I was dreaming
For just a minute, it was all so real
For just a minute, she was standing there, with me
And there's a dream I keep having
Where my mama comes to me
And kneels down over by the window
And says a prayer for me
I got my own way of prayin'
And everyone's begun
With a southern accent
Where I come from
I got my own way of livin'
And everything is done
With a southern accent
Where I come from
Where I come from
The young 'uns call it country
The Yankees call it dumb
I got my own way of talkin'
But everything is done
With a southern accent
Where I come from
Now that drunk tank in Atlanta's
Just a motel room to me
Think I might go work Orlando
If them orange groves don't freeze
I got my own way of workin'
And everything is run
With a southern accent
Where I come from
For just a minute there, I was dreaming
For just a minute, it was all so real
For just a minute, she was standing there, with me
And there's a dream I keep having
Where my mama comes to me
And kneels down over by the window
And says a prayer for me
I got my own way of prayin'
And everyone's begun
With a southern accent
Where I come from
I got my own way of livin'
And everything is done
With a southern accent
Where I come from
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Wow, first comment.
Erm, well, as a Southerner myself I've always really liked this song... if I remember right Johnny Cash also sung this after Petty did...
This song is about knowing where you can from, and knowing just where you stand. At least, that is how I interpret is. Being a southerner, this song has always had a profound meaning on me. It's so beautiful :)
this song is so beautiful. the first time i heard it was actually when i watched "runnin down a dream" and petty was singing it live :) i'm not from the south in any way (nor cal native here) but i love it nonetheless
I think it's just about this narrator who's from the south and has it deep in his blood, but who doesn't stay there forever. I think he's a bit frustrated that the world has changed him and he's nostalgic for the south, but he knows there's a part of that upbringing that'll never fade, and ultimately, leaving was the right thing. Hence the "I got my own way of _____, but everything ... where I come from" theme. It's one of my favorites from TP & HB.
It's about a middle aged alcoholic hobo. He dreams of what he'll do when he gets out of jail. He's not nostalgic about the South -- he's grieving about his mother, who used to pray for him in a heavy accent.