“Gone Away” by The Offspring

Earlier when analyzing “Breaking These Bones“, another Let the Bad Times Roll track, we alluded to the possibility that the addressee of that song may be deceased. Well on this particular piece, based on the first line of the second verse, we know that such is the case. 

And as the story goes back in the ‘90s when this tune was conceived, Dexter Holland’s girlfriend unfortunately died in a car accident. So she is the person whom he is addressing.

And as to be expected under such circumstances, this is a song of lament.  Some of the sentiments expressed include the vocalist fantasizing about meeting the addressee “in another life”. He also feels that the fact she was ‘pulled away before her time’ is “so unfair”.  And in once again referring to the second verse, he “still care(s)” for her even though she’s departed.

In fact, since she’s left, to him “it feels like heaven is so far away”. What such a metaphor likely means is that he resultantly has a decreased sense of hope.  Indeed “the world” itself “has grown cold” in her absence.  So he is depressed along the same lines that anyone would be if they unexpectedly lost someone whom they loved.

And in the aftermath, he has vowed to ‘save her soul’. Combining that assertion with what is put forth in the bridge, it reads as if the vocalist is dedicated to making sure the memory of the addressee doesn’t die. So even though he doesn’t namedrop the lady, outside of grieving over her we will conclude by saying that this song perhaps also serves the purpose of memorializing her.

Who composed “Gone Away”?

The composition of “Gone Away” was handled by ‘Dexter’ Holland.

Album Details

This song is one of the songs found on the “Let the Bad Times Roll” album.

“Let The Bad Times Roll”

Four-member band The Offspring are known for releasing tracks belonging to the genres Punk Rock, Skate Punk, Pop Punk, Alternative Rock and Melodic Hardcore. They have been in existence since 1984 (37 years). The band released “Let the Bad Times Roll” in 2021 after a wait of almost a decade. The wait was due to the search for a new label for their album, after splitting up with Columbia Records.  They finally released this album on 21^st April, 2021.

Three singles being released prior to the album, it has a collective duration of 33 minutes, 21 seconds and produced by Robert Jens Rock also known as Bob Rock, who is a Canadian musician, sound engineer and record producer. Songs on the album belong primarily to the genres Punk rock and Pop Punk.

The Offspring’s own ‘Dexter’ Holland composed the majority of the album’s songs. He is actually the band’s primary song composer.

The official singles that emerged from “Let The Bad Times Roll” are as follows:

• “Coming for You”
• “Let the Bad Times Roll”
• “We Never Have Sex Anymore”

All three singles were released between January 2021 and April 2021.