... Throughout the 1950s, Laine enjoyed a second career singing the title songs of Hollywood films and television shows, including: Gunfight At OK Corral, 3:10 To Yuma, Bullwhip, and Rawhide. His rendition of the title song for Mel Brooks' 1974 movie Blazing Saddles won an Oscar nomination for Best Song, and his recording of "Rawhide" for the television series of the same name has become a classic of the genre.
Wanted Man
Frankie Laine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never owned a gun,
But now they hunt me like a mountain cat,
And I'm always, always, always on the run
I killed poor Jed Bryant
In a bad Laredo fight,
Killed him with my bare hands
Jed's brother's out to get me,
He's comin' with a gang
I'd rather shoot it out, by God, than let 'em see me hang
Bullet in my shoulder,
Blood runnin' down my vest,
Twenty in the posse,
And they're never gonna let me rest.
Till I became a wanted man,
I never owned a gun,
But now they hunt me like a mountain cat,
And I'm always, always, always on the run
Spangles on her red dress
Laughter in her voice,
When he tried to put his hands on her
My heart left me no choice.
But was she really worth it?
I guess I'll never know,
She'll be drinkin' someone else's rye when I'm six feet below.
Bullet in my shoulder,
Blood runnin' down my vest,
Twenty in the posse,
And they're never gonna let me rest.
Till I became a wanted man,
I never owned a gun,
But now they hunt me like a mountain cat,
And I'm always, always, always on the run.
The song "Wanted Man" by Frankie Laine tells the story of a man who was never a criminal until love and violence ruined his life. The lyrics are about a man who killed Jed Bryant in Laredo, Texas, in a fight over a woman. He killed Jed with his bare hands, and now Jed's brother is out to get him with a gang. The man would rather fight it out with them than let them hang him. He's been shot in the shoulder, with blood running down his vest, and he's being chased by a posse of twenty men. The man is always on the run and has become a notorious "Wanted Man".
The song also speaks of a woman who was the root of all his problems. The woman is described as wearing spangles on her red dress and laughing with a voice that's full of life. When another man tried to put his hands on her, the singer couldn't stay away and had to fight. He wonders if the woman was worth it and muses that she will move on while he will be six feet under.
Line by Line Meaning
Till I became a wanted man,
Before I was wanted, I lived without fear.
I never owned a gun,
I never felt the need to own a weapon before.
But now they hunt me like a mountain cat,
The authorities pursue me relentlessly, like a predator hunting a prey.
And I'm always, always, always on the run
I cannot stay in any one place for too long, for fear of being caught.
I killed poor Jed Bryant
I ended the life of Jed Bryant.
In a bad Laredo fight,
It happened during a violent confrontation in Laredo.
Killed him with my bare hands
I used my own hands to take Jed Bryant's life.
For the girl I loved that night.
I committed murder out of a misguided sense of love.
Jed's brother's out to get me,
Jed's sibling seeks retribution for my deadly actions.
He's comin' with a gang
He is bringing a group of people to aid him in his quest for vengeance.
I'd rather shoot it out, by God, than let 'em see me hang
I would rather fight to the death than surrender to the law and be hanged.
Bullet in my shoulder,
I have been hit by a bullet and wounded.
Blood runnin' down my vest,
My blood is flowing out of my vest, staining my clothes.
Twenty in the posse,
There are twenty people in the posse hunting me down.
And they're never gonna let me rest.
I cannot relax or feel safe, knowing that they will never stop pursuing me.
Spangles on her red dress
The girl I loved wore an ornate red dress.
Laughter in her voice,
She had a happy and carefree tone when she spoke.
When he tried to put his hands on her
Another man made unwanted physical advances towards her.
My heart left me no choice.
My love for her compelled me to take violent action.
But was she really worth it?
I now question whether my actions were justifiable or worthwhile.
I guess I'll never know,
The answer to my question will forever remain a mystery.
She'll be drinkin' someone else's rye when I'm six feet below.
She will inevitably move on and have a life, while I am dead and buried.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN ANDREW HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carlfoster7123
I remember as a kid growing up in the 1970's, my Dad had this album.
Even though i'm an out and out rocker by choice, i stumbled across this on the internet and it has brought back so many childhood memories.
At Christmas time, with all the family around, Dad would often get the old record player out, stick this album on and they'd all have a good sing-song by the coal fire, supping a sherry or two after we'd had dinner.
A great classic album.
@anthonyfesta7010
My aunt bought me this album for my 6th birthday.
@eyarbroughzone
Fantastic! This was my favorite album when I was a kid but it's been years since the album disappeared. I love the internet. Awesome!
@sandraburfield7792
Ellen Yarbrough TRY GOING ON AMAZON, THAT'S WHERE I GOT MINE
@cf1934
I still have this album. Frankie Laine and Guy Mitchell and a lot of other singers made the 50's the best of times, for me.
@cf1934
I still have mine!
@davetabb4589
She'll be drinking someone's else's rye when I'm 6 feet below.
@wendyolson7110
Me too!!!
@davetabb4589
Love that song. I sing it in my apartment. Neighbors don't complain.
@BodieBadman56
No One can sing like Frankie Laine ! He stands alone as the "BEST" !!!