Trouble blew in on a cold dark wind
It came without no warnin'
And that big ol' house went up for sale
They were on the road by morning

The days went slow into the changing season
Out in the cold for all the wrong reasons

Well she grew up hard, and she grew up fast
In the age of television
And she made a vow to have it all
It became her new religion

Down in her soul, it was an act of treason
Down they go, for all the wrong reasons

Where the sky begins the horizon ends
Despite the best intentions
And a big old man goes up for sale
He becomes his own invention

The days go slow, into the changing season
Bought and sold for all the wrong reasons
Down they go for all the wrong reasons


Lyrics submitted by oofus

All the Wrong Reasons Lyrics as written by Jeff Lynne Tom Petty

Lyrics © Gone Gator Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

All The Wrong Reasons song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

3 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment
    Just a thought, but this song could be about selling out. In the first verse, some rich guy loses all his money and has to sell his house. Then a girl (his daughter, maybe) vows to get rich again, even though that's not her style (hence, treason). Then the man sells out in the last verse just so he can get his fortune back.
    Nick the Bastardon February 21, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    i think it has to do with the stress involved with being successful. That's why Tom Petty took a break in the 80's, because he had so much stress from becoming successful.
    TomPettyon April 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I think it's a bit more general than that. Simply about misplaced intentions and self-delusion.
    Smokleron June 03, 2006   Link

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!