Tainted Love
Finger Lyrics


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Sometimes I feel I′ve got to run away, I've got to get away
From the pain you drive into the heart of me
The love we share seems to go nowhere and I′ve lost my light
For I toss and turn, I can't sleep at night

Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I'll run from you
This tainted love you′ve given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that′s not nearly all
Oh, tainted love
Oh, tainted love

Now I know I've got to run away, I′ve got to get away
You don't really want any more from me
To make things right, you need someone to hold you tight
And you think love is to pray, but I′m sorry, I don't pray that way

Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I′ll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Tainted love
Oh, tainted love

Don′t touch me please
I cannot stand the way you tease
I love you though you hurt me so
Now I′m gonna pack my things and go

Tainted love
Oh, tainted love




Oh, tainted love
Oh, tainted love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Tainted Love" speak to the pain and heartbreak that the singer is experiencing in a relationship that has gone sour. The opening lines reveal a sense of desperation as the singer feels like they have to run away from the pain that their partner has caused them. The love they once shared seems to have vanished and they feel like they've lost their way. The pain that they feel is so intense that they can't sleep at night.


The chorus of the song speaks to the idea that the love that the singer has received is tainted. They've given their all to the relationship, but it's not enough. They've reached a breaking point where they have to leave and start anew. The singer acknowledges that they once ran to their partner, but now they need to run away. They can no longer endure the pain and heartbreak that the relationship has caused.


The final verse is a plea for the partner to not touch them and to let them go. The singer acknowledges that they love their partner, despite the hurt they have caused. But ultimately, they have to move on and leave the tainted love behind.


Overall, the lyrics to "Tainted Love" speak to the pain and heartbreak that can be experienced in a relationship that is no longer functioning. It's a reminder that sometimes love can be tainted and that it's okay to walk away when it is.


Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes I feel I've got to run away, I've got to get away
At times, I feel the need to flee from you and escape the pain you inflict upon me.


From the pain you drive into the heart of me
The agony you impose on me goes deep into my heart.


The love we share seems to go nowhere and I've lost my light
Our love appears to be stagnant, and I've lost the happiness I once had.


For I toss and turn, I can't sleep at night
I can't sleep at night, and I keep turning around, bothered by the pain you've caused me.


Once I ran to you (I ran) Now I'll run from you
I pursued you before, but now it's time for me to leave you behind.


This tainted love you've given I give you all a boy could give you Take my tears and that's not nearly all
The love we have is flawed, and even though I gave you everything I could, it wasn't enough. You've caused me so much pain.


Now I know I've got to run away, I've got to get away You don't really want any more from me
I must escape from you now because you don't intend to accept any more from me.


To make things right, you need someone to hold you tight And you think love is to pray, but I'm sorry, I don't pray that way
You believe that love is only about physical contact, but to me, it means something deeper. I can't give you what you want, and I'm not willing to change.


Don't touch me please I cannot stand the way you tease
I don't want you to touch me because I'm tired of the way you torment me.


I love you though you hurt me so Now I'm gonna pack my things and go
Despite everything, I still have feelings for you, but I can't stay here any longer. It's time for me to leave.


Tainted love Oh, tainted love
Our relationship is corrupt and spoiled, and it's not real love.


Oh, tainted love Oh, tainted love
Our love is poisoned, and it can never be cleansed.




Writer(s): Edward Cobb

Contributed by Thomas O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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