Cheap Trick is an American power pop/rock n roll band from Rockford, Illino… Read Full Bio ↴Cheap Trick is an American power pop/rock n roll band from Rockford, Illinois that's played for over four decades, and in 2016 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Having gained popularity in the late-70s centered within the Midwest and within Japan, the band members are Rick Nielsen (guitarist and main songwriter), Bun E. Carlos (born Brad Carlson) (drums), Robin Zander (vocals and guitars), and Tom Petersson (bass guitar). Though they have had only flirtations with mainstream national success such as the multi-platinum smash At Budokan, Cheap Trick has held a substantial following through regular touring and a hard-edged yet blissful pop sound that combines the tunefulness of The Beatles with the speed and energy of punk rock, with many musicians and music journalists being fans.

One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.

Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).

Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World

[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver

Walk Away
Cheap Trick Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You think that it's funny
You think I'm a fool
It's nothin' I needed
Just somethin' to do
Out of touch out of time
It's not easy to find, well
These two hearts are
Broken before they start, so

[Chorus]
Walk away walk away
I don't mind I don't mind
Don't act like you're worried
I'm feelin' no pain
You got what you needed
Your fun little game

Stoned and confused
I know
It ain't easy
To hold on
We've been hidin'
Pretendin' cheatin' and lyin'

[Chorus: x2]

Don't know what to thank
Who to blame
We were lovers just the same, well
Startin' stoppin'
Over and over and over

[Chorus: x3]

Walk away walk away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cheap Trick’s song Walk Away is about a destructive relationship that is spiraling out of control. The first verse talks about how the other person seems to find some sort of enjoyment in playing with the singer’s emotions. The singer realizes that this relationship is not what they needed but rather something to occupy their time. The phrase “out of touch out of time” suggests that the two parties are not on the same wavelength and they are not in sync. Their hearts are broken even before they had a chance to start. The chorus serves as a call to action for the singer, telling them to walk away from the relationship because they are not worried nor do they feel any pain. The other person has gotten what they wanted, which was to play their little game.

In the second verse, the singer is described as being “stoned and confused,” indicating that they are under the influence of something and are struggling to hold on. The relationship is depicted as being fake and unhealthy, with cheating and lying being a common occurrence. Despite everything that has happened, the singer still finds it hard to let go of their lover, regretful that things did not work out as they had hoped. The chorus is repeated three times to drive home the message of letting go and walking away from a destructive relationship. The lyrics offer a poignant reflection on the pain of unrequited love and the sacrifices that we make for relationships that ultimately turn out to be toxic.

Line by Line Meaning

You think that it's funny
You seem to be amused by my situation

You think I'm a fool
You believe that I am a naive person

It's nothin' I needed
I did not require this interaction with you

Just somethin' to do
I engaged with you out of boredom or as a pastime

Out of touch out of time
We are disconnected and incompatible

It's not easy to find, well
It is difficult to come across a suitable match

These two hearts are
Our emotions are

Broken before they start, so
Already damaged before beginning this relationship

Walk away walk away
Leave, depart

I don't mind I don't mind
I do not object to your departure

Don't act like you're worried
Do not pretend to be concerned about me