Nowhere To Run
J.J. Cale/Leon Russell Lyrics

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Nowhere to run,
Nowhere to hide
No way to relieve
This feeling inside
You done gave me them blues
And then you took a ride
Left me with nowhere to run,
Nowhere to hide

Shame, oh shame, on what you do
Can't you see that I, I, I,
Been feeling so blue
Cast a spell on me,
Then you took a ride
Left me with nowhere to run,
Nowhere to hide
Pardon me, if I sound so sad
I can't get to you
When I want you so bad
You done gave me them blues,
Then you took a ride

Left me with nowhere to run,
Nowhere to hide

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of J.J. Cale's "Nowhere to Run" tell the story of a man who has been abandoned by his lover and left with a feeling of helplessness and despair. The opening lines, "Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, no way to relieve this feeling inside," express the singer's sense of being trapped and unable to escape the pain he is experiencing. He then refers to his lover, saying "you done gave me them blues and then you took a ride," essentially blaming her for his unhappiness.

The chorus repeats the sentiment of the opening lines, emphasizing the singer's sense of being trapped and having nowhere to turn. He accuses his lover of casting a spell on him before abandoning him and leaving him with no relief. The final verse continues in the same vein, with the singer expressing his longing for his lover and his frustration at being unable to reach her. The overall effect is of a man who is desperate for love and companionship, but has been left alone and abandoned, with no hope of finding escape from his pain.

Line by Line Meaning

Nowhere to run,
I have no escape or safe haven

Nowhere to hide
I cannot hide or avoid my problems

No way to relieve
There is no solution or remedy

This feeling inside
The intense emotion I am experiencing

You done gave me them blues
You caused me sadness and pain

And then you took a ride
You left me alone and abandoned

Left me with nowhere to run,
I am trapped and helpless

Shame, oh shame, on what you do
Your actions are disgraceful and hurtful

Can't you see that I, I, I,
I am pleading for your understanding and empathy

Been feeling so blue
I have been consumed by sadness

Cast a spell on me,
You have a hypnotic effect on me