Tighten Up
Black Keys ( The ) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Most of all, most of all
Someone said true love was dead
And I'm bound to fall, bound to fall
For you
Oh, what can I do?
Yeah
Lovin' you, baby child
Tighten up on your reins
You're runnin' wild, runnin' wild
It's true
Sick for days
So many ways
I'm achin' now
I'm achin' now
It's times like these I need relief
Please show me how
Oh show me how
To get right
Yes, outta sight
When I was young and moving fast
Nothing slowed me down
Oh slowed me down
Now I let the others pass
I've come around
Oh come around
'Cause I've found
Living just to keep going
Going just to be sane
All the while live knowing
Such a shame
I don't need to get steady
I know just how I feel
Telling you to be ready
My dear
The Black Keys' song "Tighten Up" speaks about a man who is in love, but someone has told him that true love no longer exists. Despite this, he is still bound to fall for his love interest. The first stanza sets up the premise of the song, with the singer expressing his need for love but also acknowledging the cynicism surrounding it. He is unsure of what to do, despite his feelings.
In the chorus, the singer makes it clear that his love is unwavering, even if everything else changes. He tells his love interest to "tighten up on your reins," suggesting that she's running wild and needs to be reined in. This line takes on a double meaning, as it could also be interpreted as the singer asking his love interest to hold on tight to him, so they don't lose each other.
The second verse describes the singer's current state, feeling sick and yearning for relief. He needs to know how to get right, to feel better. The third verse represents a shift in perspective, with the singer reflecting on his youth and how he used to move quickly without anyone slowing him down. But now, he's content to let others pass him by because he's found the one he loves. The final line, "telling you to be ready, my dear," suggests that this newfound contentment is accompanied by a desire for commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanted love, I needed love
I yearned for love, I deeply needed it
Most of all, most of all
Above everything else, it was most essential
Someone said true love was dead
I heard someone say that real love doesn't exist anymore
And I'm bound to fall, bound to fall
I'm inevitably going to fall in love
For you
For you, specifically
Oh, what can I do?
I'm not sure what I can do about it
Take my badge but my heart remains
You can take away my status, but my heart still belongs to you
Lovin' you, baby child
I love you, my dear
Tighten up on your reins
Be more in control of yourself and our relationship
You're runnin' wild, runnin' wild
Your behavior is almost out of control
It's true
It's the truth
Sick for days
I've been feeling unwell for days
So many ways
In many different ways
I'm achin' now
I'm in pain right now
It's times like these I need relief
I need to find relief during times like these
Please show me how
Please teach me how to find relief
Oh show me how
Oh, please demonstrate how to do it
To get right
To feel better again
Yes, outta sight
It would be amazing
When I was young and moving fast
In my youth, I was always in a hurry
Nothing slowed me down
Nothing could stop or hinder me
Oh slowed me down
Oh, nothing could slow me down
Now I let the others pass
Now, I let others go before me
I've come around
I've changed my ways
Oh come around
Oh, I've had a change of heart
'Cause I've found
Because I have discovered
Living just to keep going
I'm just living to stay afloat
Going just to be sane
I'm doing anything just to stay sane
All the while live knowing
All the while, I know that
Such a shame
It's really a pity
I don't need to get steady
I don't need to be in a stable situation
I know just how I feel
I'm aware of my own emotions
Telling you to be ready
I'm urging you to be prepared
My dear
My darling
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theblackkeys
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@Anarchy_Shark
got to love the way they combine child like inocence and girl troubles. truely a master peice.
@Badass392
Man those kids have deep voices
@haydenspears19
man buddy holly and ron weasley with a beard make some good music
@yassarout
Black Keys you're the proof that there's still some good music out there.
@MaeChristabel
I'm in love with The Black Keys. I introduced them to my boyfriend, he is now also in love with them. Our relationship has been amazing since.
@xbartndrgrl
I heard this on the radio last night while driving home super late- and I almost ran into the curb. Their sound is reminiscent of rock and old soul; something rarely heard in today's music. This song tugs at your soul. Thanks so much for making it.
@Qrocknrollfreak13
"Living just to keep going, going just to be sane" One of the best lines of the whole song
@LiamCrowley1990
I remember seeing this video when it had about 4,000 views, I'm so happy they broke through, they deserve it so much, this album is absolutely awesome.
@1luigy2
Nice Parents