Reach Out
Cheap Trick Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

No one's going to give it away.
They make it hard for the people today.
To get what you want, you've got to do it yourself.
Don't be afraid to drive the nail in the wood.
Or drink the bottle if it tastes so good.
You'll go the distance. You never thought that you could.

Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it, oh, yeah!

Cough up the cash when you go over and over.
Before the old one's gone, you've got a new owner.
You need assistance when your head's in the clouds.
You could live easy if life stood still.
You could be faking and breaking and taking it all.
But then you know you're gonna fall.

Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it.

Don't have to take it so hard.
Don't have to take it so, so hard.
Don't have to take it so hard.
Don't have to take it so hard!

Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it.

Reach out, reach out.
Take what you want.




Reach out, reach out.
Take what you want.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Cheap Trick's "Reach Out" convey a message of determination and self-reliance. The song suggests that no one is going to give you what you want in life and you have to go and seize it yourself. The verses focus on how the world can make it difficult for individuals to get what they desire. However, the chorus emphasizes that you have to "reach out and take it," giving encouragement to listeners to take charge of their lives and not be afraid to "drive the nail in the wood" or "drink the bottle if it tastes so good."


The lyrics themselves embody a sense of rebellion and independence, telling listeners that they don't have to take things so hard, and they can live life how they want to, even if that means taking risks and making mistakes. Perhaps the most notable aspect of this song is its infectious energy, especially in the way the repetitive "reach out and take it" line is delivered.


This song also presents an interesting contrast when compared to other Cheap Trick hits such as "I Want You to Want Me" or "Surrender," which have a more romantic or nostalgic sentiment. Instead, "Reach Out" prioritizes personal empowerment and having an attitude of determination and perseverance.


Line by Line Meaning

No one's going to give it away.
People aren't often generous enough to give things away easily.


They make it hard for the people today.
It's often difficult for people to get what they want.


To get what you want, you've got to do it yourself.
If you want something, you'll have to work hard to get it yourself.


Don't be afraid to drive the nail in the wood.
You should take risks and not be afraid to make bold moves.


Or drink the bottle if it tastes so good.
You should indulge in the things that make you happy, even if other people don't approve.


You'll go the distance. You never thought that you could.
You'll surprise yourself with what you're capable of achieving.


Reach out and take it.
Go out and grab what you want.


Reach out and ta-ta take it.
Go out and grab it with enthusiasm.


Cough up the cash when you go over and over.
You'll pay more if you keep getting distracted by new, shiny things.


Before the old one's gone, you've got a new owner.
There's always someone waiting to take your place, so don't hesitate to take ownership of what you want.


You need assistance when your head's in the clouds.
It's important to ask for help when you're feeling overwhelmed or lost.


You could live easy if life stood still.
Life would be easy if it never changed, but that's not the reality we live in.


You could be faking and breaking and taking it all.
You could imitate what others are doing, but you'll eventually run into problems doing things that aren't genuine.


But then you know you're gonna fall.
If you're not true to yourself, your success will be short-lived.


Don't have to take it so hard.
You don't have to struggle so much or take everything so seriously.


Reach out, reach out.
Act with intention, and go after what you want.


Take what you want.
Go ahead and take what you want - don't wait for someone else to give it to you.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ENRICO REMMERT, FRANCESCO PISTOI, PIERPAOLO PERETTI GRIVA, SAMUEL UMBERTO ROMANO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Bonart

No one's going to give it away.
They make it hard for the people today.
To get what you want, you've got to do it yourself.
Don't be afraid to drive the nail in the wood.
Or drink the bottle if it tastes so good.
You'll go the distance. You never thought that you could.

Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it. Oh, yeah!

Cough up the cash when you go over and over.
Before the old one's gone, you've got a new owner.
You need assistance when your head's in the clouds.
You could live easy if life stood still.
You could be faking and breaking and taking it all.
But then you know you're gonna fall.

Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it.

Don't have to take it so hard.
Don't have to take it so, so hard.
Don't have to take it so hard.
Don't have to take it so HARD!

( solos )

Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it.
Reach out and ta-ta-ta take it.
Reach out and take it.

Reach out. Reach out.
Take what you want.
Reach out. Reach out.
Take what you want.



All comments from YouTube:

atomicpunk48

The best Cheap Trick song you've probably never heard. Actually I thought this was the best song they ever did.

Raymond Almario

Im not gonna work on it real soon. I'm writing love story screenplay now

85 Studios

@Raymond Almario That would be excellent, I run a YouTube channel, here but it is only hobby, I have some professional stuff here, and some skills on how to use it, but I am not an animator, I am really good with Audio, I am learning how to use Blender, but this is not the right type of animation and I live the drawn style better. Like the original.

Raymond Almario

I would do it for the love of the original movie

85 Studios

@Raymond Almario gonna have to be a fan of the original for all the right reasons. there is a huge difference in a movie remake or sequel made as a cash grab and one made by someone who has a true passion for the movie, the difference is night and day. That's why we end up with horrible remakes like "Pet Semetery " "Mad Max" "Total Recall" "Robocop" They are crappy because they are Cash grabs, made only to make someone money, not because someone loved the original movie.

Raymond Almario

Maybe I'll direct the movie, or at least write the screenplay for it

16 More Replies...

Marchosias Rex

This and Blue Oyster's VETERAN OF THE PSYCHIC WARS are masterpieces on this album...

dgnx69

Also, The Mob Rules by Black Sabbath.

Steve Gentry

My best friend who died in a plane crash loved this movie and song. R.I.P. David Carpenter
1961 - 1997

Steve Gentry

@Jeff Wolcott Thanks for the awesome comment Jeff, really miss him. He was crop dusting in Georgia when he crashed.

More Comments

More Versions