Start Me Up
Jagger Lyrics


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Life is rich, but it's way too short
You make a lot of money, but you just want more
I don't need the pain right here in my heart
But I hate every minute when we're so far apart

It was love in a minute, it was love in a flash
It brings me no pleasure, just a stab in the back
It brings me no comfort, it brings me no peace
A weight on my shoulder, it's a fatal disease

So don't tear me up
I don't ever wanna see your picture again
And don't poison my blood
I don't ever wanna see your face here no more

Gonna finish it quick, gonna finish it clean
Don't wanna be bitter. I don't wanna be mean
I feel like we're driving down a dead-end street
I've come so far I wanna crash the car
I wanna land right on my feet

I said don't tear me up
I don't ever wanna see your picture again
I said don't tear me up
I don't ever wanna see your face here no more

But I dream of you constantly, you'll be my angel of light
And in the dark rooms of sleeplessness
You'll be my lover each night

Life is a bitch, it's way too short
Unlike a politician it just can't be bought
Think about the tenderness, and think about the craziness
And if you ever wanna hate me come and
Stick a knife right in my chest

I said don't tear me up
I don't ever wanna see your picture again
I said don't tear me up
I don't ever wanna see your face here no more

I said don't tear me up
I said don't tear me up




I said don't poison my blood
I don't ever wanna see your picture again

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jagger's song Start Me Up are about the ups and downs of love and relationships. Jagger sings about how life is short and while money can bring a certain amount of satisfaction, it does not necessarily result in happiness. He tells his lover that he does not need the pain in his heart, but he hates being apart from them. He describes the intensity of their love in a short time, but how it now brings him no pleasure, only pain. Despite wanting to move on from the relationship, Jagger dreams of his lover constantly and they are his "angel of light." He ends the song by acknowledging that love can be both tender and crazy, and if they ever want to hate him, they can stick a knife in his chest.


Line by Line Meaning

Life is rich, but it's way too short
Life is abundant and full, yet it is limited and fleeting.


You make a lot of money, but you just want more
The pursuit of wealth can become insatiable and unsatisfying.


I don't need the pain right here in my heart
Emotional pain is unwelcome and burdensome.


But I hate every minute when we're so far apart
Being separated from someone you love is difficult and painful.


It was love in a minute, it was love in a flash
Love can be sudden and intense.


It brings me no pleasure, just a stab in the back
Betrayal is painful and damaging.


It brings me no comfort, it brings me no peace
The aftermath of betrayal is unsettling and disruptive.


A weight on my shoulder, it's a fatal disease
The burden of betrayal is debilitating and destructive.


So don't tear me up
Please don't hurt me emotionally.


I don't ever wanna see your picture again
I need to separate myself from you completely.


And don't poison my blood
Do not infect me with your negativity and toxicity.


Gonna finish it quick, gonna finish it clean
I need to end this relationship swiftly and definitively.


Don't wanna be bitter. I don't wanna be mean
I don't want to let my anger and resentment consume me.


I feel like we're driving down a dead-end street
Our relationship is going nowhere and has no future.


I've come so far I wanna crash the car
I am ready to take risks and face the consequences.


I wanna land right on my feet
I am confident that I can handle the fallout and come out okay.


But I dream of you constantly, you'll be my angel of light
Despite everything, I still have strong feelings for you.


And in the dark rooms of sleeplessness
In times of loneliness and restlessness.


You'll be my lover each night
I still long for the intimacy and connection we once had.


Life is a bitch, it's way too short
Life can be harsh and unfair, and it doesn't last long.


Unlike a politician it just can't be bought
You cannot buy or control life like you can with politics.


Think about the tenderness, and think about the craziness
Reflect on the good and bad aspects of the relationship.


And if you ever wanna hate me come and
If you need to vent your anger towards me.


Stick a knife right in my chest
Do it directly and swiftly, without hesitation.


I said don't tear me up
I am reiterating my plea not to hurt me.


I said don't poison my blood
I am repeating my request to not infect me with negativity.


I don't ever wanna see your face here no more
I need to cut ties completely and move on.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@leokimvideo

As a kid in the 80's when this song came out I thought wow those old guys are still making music. And look 40 years on they still are and now really old guys

@candidoj

Now we know that 38(Mick at this time) is still a very young age.

@nimim.markomikkila1673

I got into the Stones in 1982, being 11 myself. I was laughing at them, because they were SO OLD (in their 40´s). Now, I´m 52, and they are still doing it in their 80´s. I´m not laughing at them anymore;)

@henriqueerenner5741

Now they are realising a new album

@gleegirloz

I got into them in 1964 and have loved them ever since. I’m now 70 and have seen many great artists. Nothing beats the excitement of a ‘Stones show!

@GailColeman

As the saying goes, we need to think about the kind of world we want to leave to Keith Richard's! 😅

27 More Replies...

@tribalbaroque

The moments where Charlie smiles at 1:13-1:15, 1:43-1:45, 2:26-2:28 and 2:47-2:49 are the best part of this video! It's like Mick, Keith and Ronnie are the little kids acting crazy up front, whereas Charlie and Bill are the grownups watching on in amusement. Who knows what Charlie had to put up with, and it seems like he did so with so much grace and elegance. He's not trying to draw attention to himself, but because he isn't, he is the most alluring! He doesn't even seem like he's in the right band, but his quiet and gentle demeanor holds everything together, just like a drummer is supposed to do. RIP Charlie.

@greg62945

I'm going to redo my songs and smile.

@whome4642

Couldn’t have said it better.

@sean1121970

It's rock and roll - what's with the long winded psycho analysis?

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