Run for Your Life
Beatles Lyrics
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Than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl
Or you won't know where I am
You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
Well I know that I'm a wicked guy
And I was born with a jealous mind
And I can't spend my whole life
Trying just to make you toe the line
You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end'a little girl
Let this be a sermon
I mean everything I've said
Baby, I'm determined
And I'd rather see you dead
You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end'a little girl
I'd rather see you dead, little girl
Than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl
Or you won't know where I am
You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end'a little girl
Na, na, na
Na, na, na
Na, na, na
Na, na, na
"Run for Your Life" was released by the Beatles in 1965 and it is often regarded as one of their darkest and most controversial songs. The song's lyrics revolve around a possessive and jealous lover who threatens his girl with death if she should cheat on him. The song begins with the line "Well I'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man" which is one of the most violent lyrics ever to be recorded by the Beatles. The lyrics are very blunt and straightforward, depicting a scene of a jealous man who is paranoid about losing his woman to another man.
Throughout the song, the singer tells the girl to run for her life if she can, hide her head in the sand and warns her that if he ever finds out that she's seeing another man, he will kill her. The last lines of the song repeat the opening line, highlighting the violent nature of the song. Some analysts suggest that the song is an example of John Lennon's "macho" side, while others see it as a satirical song that was meant to poke fun at the then-popular "murder ballads" of the time.
Overall, "Run for Your Life" is a troubling song, and it is easy to see why it sparked controversy when it was first released. Despite this, it remains a fascinating example of the extremes that the Beatles were able to push their music and lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'd rather see you dead, little girl
I prefer that you, a young girl, be deceased than to find you with another man.
Than to be with another man
I find it worse for you to be in a relationship with another man than for you to be dead.
You better keep your head, little girl
You should be cautious, young girl.
Or you won't know where I am
If you are not careful, you may lose track of me.
You better run for your life if you can, little girl
You should flee for your life if possible, young girl.
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Try to ignore me, young girl.
Catch you with another man
Find you in a relationship with another man.
That's the end'a little girl
If that happens, it's over for you, young girl.
Well I know that I'm a wicked guy
I understand that I am a wicked person.
And I was born with a jealous mind
My mind has always been predisposed to jealousy.
And I can't spend my whole life
I cannot live my entire life.
Trying just to make you toe the line
Just to make you adhere to my expectations.
Let this be a sermon
Consider this a message.
I mean everything I've said
I am completely serious about what I've said.
Baby, I'm determined
Young lady, I am resolute in my intentions.
Na, na, na
This line is a repetition of a meaningless vocalization, and has no specific meaning.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, JOHN WINSTON LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY, PAUL JAMES MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind