Take It Back
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

If maybe you'd move over,
Gave someone else a chance to try their luck,
Instead, you run up closer,
Try'n to grab a page before they close the book.

[Chorus]
It was over 'fore it started, seemed so long when we began
Hope you take it like a friend.
It's a shame to see you cryin' , wouldn't think to way back when,
Looks like i'll never hear the end.

Thought you had the honor,
Took special pride in all your well laid plans.

Forgot about the others,
We moved out t'ward the light showin' empty hands.

[Chorus]

Ah, put the boot down! mm-hm!

Love to be the winner.
Gather up your chips in time to cash 'em in.
We're all lookin' thinner,
Playin' cards too close for either one to win.

[Chorus]

It's a shame to see you cryin', wouldn't think to way back when,




Hope you take it like a friend.
Yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Creedence Clearwater Revival's song "Take it back" suggest that sometimes people are so focused on their own ambition to succeed and win that they forget about others around them. The lyrics imply that the singer of the song has won something that they wanted, but in doing so, they have hurt someone else who was also hoping to win. The song embodies an overall theme of the importance of empathy and sportsmanship. The chorus is particularly indicative of this idea, whereby the singer reflects on the fact that it was over before it even began, but hopes that the person who lost can take it like a friend.


The opening lines of the song "If maybe you'd move over, Gave someone else a chance to try their luck, Instead, you run up closer, Try'n to grab a page before they close the book." are an observation of how competition often can bring out the worst in people. The lyrics convey a sense of disappointment for those who inherently want to do well, but in the end, have failed to measure up to their own goals. The line "Looks like i'll never hear the end" emphasizes the pain and disappointment of the person who has missed out, and how the singer may be tormented by it for some time to come. The lyrics are a cautionary tale that encourages people to be aware of how their actions impact other people around them.


Line by Line Meaning

If maybe you'd move over,
If you would give someone else a chance to try their luck instead of grabbing it all for yourself,


Gave someone else a chance to try their luck,
It would be nice if you allowed someone else to have a chance and take risks,


Instead, you run up closer,
But instead, you selfishly try to grab every opportunity for yourself,


Try'n to grab a page before they close the book.
Even if it means taking the opportunity away from someone else and not letting them have a fair chance.


[Chorus]
Despite all this, it's sad to see how quickly things were over, and how it feels like it's been ages since we started. I hope you can take it in a friendly way, but it's a shame to see you crying now; it's hard to imagine a time when we got along so well without any problems. It seems like I will never hear the end of this.


Thought you had the honor,
I thought you were someone with integrity and good character,


Took special pride in all your well laid plans.
I thought you were proud of your carefully crafted and thought out plans,


Forgot about the others,
But you forgot about everyone else and only thought of yourself,


We moved out t'ward the light showin' empty hands.
As we moved forward, we realized that we had nothing and were left with empty results.


[Chorus]
Same meaning as mentioned above.


Ah, put the boot down! mm-hm!
Stop being so selfish and learn to let others have a chance too!


Love to be the winner.
I know you love to win and be the best,


Gather up your chips in time to cash 'em in.
But remember to collect all your gains at the right time and not keep waiting until the last moment,


We're all lookin' thinner,
Because we're all trying so hard to stay in the game without losing,


Playin' cards too close for either one to win.
But we're playing so carefully and closely, that neither of us can win the game without hurting someone else.


[Chorus]
Same as mentioned above.


It's a shame to see you cryin', wouldn't think to way back when,
It's a shame to see how much things have changed and how much we have grown apart. It's hard to think back to the way we used to be when things were so much better,


Hope you take it like a friend.
But I hope you can take this feedback in a friendly way and not take it too personally,


Yeah
Just an expression of agreement or acknowledgement.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: STUART COOK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@alexgrandsroute3940

Well, take me back down
Where cool water flow, yeah
Let me remember things I love
Stopping at the log where catfish bite
Walking along the river road at night
Barefoot girls dancing in the moonlight
I can hear the bullfrog calling me
Wonder if my rope's
Still hanging to the tree
Love to kick my feet
Way down the shallow water
Shoe fly, dragon fly
Get back to your mother
Pick up a flat rock
Skip it across Green River

Well
Up at Cody's camp
I spent my days, oh
With flat car riders
And cross-tie walkers
Old Cody Jr took me over
Said, you're gonna find
The world is smouldering
And if you get lost
Come on home to Green River
Well
Come home



All comments from YouTube:

@OverlordAbraxas

My father has died from COVID this night, and this was one of his favorite songs ever...

@kennyhuskisson2684

So sorry to hear that my friend, he's jamming to this in heaven✌️👍

@OverlordAbraxas

@@kennyhuskisson2684 surely he's doing that.

@donaldtrumpsalternateaccou1631

Oh no ):

@mrlemon7436

My prayers go to your family 🙏

@asovietplaytpus5828

RIP

516 More Replies...

@Olegzyan

You know, fellas, I was born in the USSR. to tell you the truth this band was even bigger than The Beatles in my country!

@davidtrevino5211

They should've been....

@SovietBear4

There was CCR in the USSR???

@Olegzyan

@@SovietBear4 no they didn't come to the USSR! but we used to have some vynil records that we listened to and enjoyed their music very much!

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