Meaning of "Look Away" by Hootie & The Blowfish

The lyrics in "Look Away" depict a complicated relationship where the woman's troubled family life takes a toll on her ability to fully commit and be present in the relationship. The narrator sees her standing with tears on her cheek, a clear sign that something is wrong. When he asks her about it, she avoids answering directly and simply states that her father is home. This statement carries heavy meaning as it suggests that her father's presence causes distress and chaos. The narrator understands the implications of this, realizing that he may never be able to see her again. He recalls having gone through a similar experience in the past and chooses not to deal with it anymore.

The woman pleads with the narrator to look away, both physically and emotionally, and when he attempts to hold her and find comfort, he finds that he cannot. Despite her love for him, she wants him to let her be, as the weight of her family situation is too much to bear. The narrator begs for an explanation as to why she pushes him away, making him cry, and she responds with the heartbreaking sentiment that she loves him but doesn't want him to know the full extent of her pain. The repeated line "Look away" becomes a plea for the narrator to avert his eyes from her struggles and the reality of their relationship.

The lyrics in "Look Away" explore themes of love, commitment, and the complexities that arise when a troubled family dynamic influences a romantic relationship. It delves into the emotional struggle faced by the woman and her desire to shield her loved ones, specifically the narrator, from the pain it brings. The narrator, in turn, grapples with the difficulty of witnessing the woman he loves suffer and the frustration of being asked to look away. The song ultimately portrays a bittersweet and heartbreaking love story that cannot fully blossom due to the presence of external factors.