The band first experienced chart success when their second single "Take Me Out" reached #3 in the UK Charts, followed by their debut album Franz Ferdinand which entered the UK album chart at #3. The band went on to win the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and two BRIT Awards in 2005 for Best British Group and Best British Rock Act. NME named Franz Ferdinand as their Album of the Year. From the album, three top-ten singles were released, "Take Me Out", "The Dark of the Matinée" and "This Fire". The band has also received several Grammy Award nominations.
The band is named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination was one of the main reasons for the start of the First World War. The band decided on the name after seeing a racehorse named Archduke Ferdinand win the Northumberland Plate in 2001, eventually coming to the decision as the alliteration and sound of the name appealed to them.
- Discography
Franz Ferdinand (2004)
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Blood; Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013)
FFS (2015) (Collaborative album with the band Sparks)
Always Ascending (2018)
Hits to the Head (2022)
Take Me Out
Franz Ferdinand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I'm here waiting for you
I'm just a crosshair
I'm just a shot away from you
And if you leave here
You leave me broken, shattered, I lie
I'm just a crosshair
I'm just a shot, then we can die
Ah
I know I won't be leaving here with you
I say, "don't you know?"
You say you don't know
I say, "take me out"
I say, "you don't show"
Don't move, time is slow
I say, "take me out"
I say, "you don't know"
You say you don't go
I say, "take me out"
If I move, this could die
If eyes move, this could die
I want you to take me out
I know I won't be leaving here (with you)
I know I won't be leaving here
I know I won't be leaving here (with you)
I know I won't be leaving here with you
I say, "don't you know?"
You say you don't know
I say, "take me out"
If I wane, this could die
If I wait, this could die
I want you to take me out
If I move, this could die
Eyes move, this can die
Come on, take me out
I know I won't be leaving here (with you)
I know I won't be leaving here
I know I won't be leaving here (with you)
I know I won't be leaving here with you
The lyrics of "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand depict a yearning for connection and an intense desire for a partner. The singer is desperate for the other person's attention and is willing to take a chance at a relationship, even if it means that they might both end up hurt or even dead. The opening line demonstrates this eagerness and dependency, "So if you're lonely / You know I'm here waiting for you." The mention of being a "crosshair" and "shot away" adds to the idea of danger and risk-taking, as the singer puts themselves on the line for possible rejection or worse.
The chorus of "Take Me Out" is where the singer is asking for the other person's affection and attention. The repeated line of "I say, 'take me out'" is a plea for the other person to make a move, as the singer is uncertain and hesitant about making the first move. The lyrics about time moving slow and not showing interest represent the singer's impatience and the urgency of the situation. The repeated reminders that "this could die" is a reflection of the singer's anxiety and the risk involved in pursuing a relationship.
Overall, "Take Me Out" is a song about taking a chance on love, even if it's uncertain and potentially dangerous. The singer is willing to put themselves out there, but they need encouragement and affirmation from the other person to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
So if you're lonely
If you feel isolated and alone
You know I'm here waiting for you
I'm here for you and ready to support you
I'm just a crosshair
I'm focused and determined
I'm just a shot away from you
I'm close enough to take action
And if you leave here
If you go away from here
You leave me broken, shattered, I lie
You leave me feeling hurt and devastated
I say, "don't you know?"
I ask, "are you aware?"
You say you don't know
You reply that you are not aware
I say, "take me out"
I request to go out, to distract myself from feeling hurt
I say, "you don't show"
I mention that you are not expressing or communicating enough
Don't move, time is slow
Stop moving since time feels like it's standing still
If I move, this could die
If I take action, this situation could end
If eyes move, this could die
If the situation changes, it could come to an end
I want you to take me out
I need you to distract me from my current emotional state
If I wane, this could die
If I lose interest, this situation could come to an end
If I wait, this could die
If I delay too long, this situation could come to an end
Come on, take me out
Hurry up and entertain me to distract me from feeling hurt
I know I won't be leaving here (with you)
I am aware that I won't be leaving with you
I know I won't be leaving here
I am aware that I won't be leaving this place
Ah
An exclamation expressing frustration or impatience
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alexander Paul Kapranos Huntley, Nicholas John Mccarthy, Paul Robert Thompson, Robert Hardy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind