Runaway Lover
Madonna (Ciccone) Lyrics
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You didn't understand or care to know
You get your education from your lovers
But now there's just no place for you to go
It doesn't pay
To be a runaway lover
It doesn't pay
You'll never get your money back
You're set adrift with no direction
Just like a ship that's lost at sea
You don't care where you drop your anchor
Make sure it doesn't land on me
It doesn't pay
To be a runaway lover
It doesn't pay
To give away what you lack
You'll never get your money back
It doesn't pay
To be a runaway lover
It doesn't pay (It doesn't pay)
To give away what you lack
You'll never get your money back (To give away, to give away)
Walking around on a cloud
'Cause every girl you meet just trips on you
Saying your name out loud
I guess you met your match
Now what will you do
Uh uh no away
It doesn't pay
To be a runaway lover
It doesn't pay
To give away what you lack
You'll never get your money back
It doesn't pay
To be a runaway lover
It doesn't pay
To give away what you lack
You'll never get your money back
Walking around on a cloud
'Cause every girl you meet just trips on you
Saying your name out loud
I guess you met your match
Now what will you do
It doesn't pay
It doesn't pay
It doesn't pay
To give your heart away
To a runaway lover
Uh uh, no way
Uh uh, no way
Uh uh, no way
In "Runaway Lover," Madonna essentially tells off a man who has lost his reputation on a woman, which he didn't care to understand. The man's education comes from his lovers, but now he has nowhere to go. The song contains a warning to those who are in search of money and love, telling them that they will never get their money back if they continuously give it away. The song is pretty straightforward in describing someone who's essentially going from one relationship to another, never really finding fulfillment. Madonna encourages the man to take some responsibility for his actions and not to give his heart away so easily.
The song was included on Madonna's ninth studio album, "Music," which was released in 2000. It provided one of the album's standout tracks and was released as the third single from it. The song's release was limited to countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Italy where it managed to make a great impact as it reached the top 20 charts.
Line by Line Meaning
You lost your reputation on a woman
Your reputation was destroyed because of your behavior toward a woman
You didn't understand or care to know
You failed to comprehend or learn how to treat others appropriately
You get your education from your lovers
You learn from your romantic partners, rather than through personal experience
But now there's just no place for you to go
You've run out of options and opportunities
It doesn't pay
It's not beneficial or worthwhile
To be a runaway lover
To constantly leave your partners and not commit to a relationship
To give away what you lack
To offer something that you don't possess yourself
You'll never get your money back
You won't be able to retrieve any losses or regain what you've given up
You're set adrift with no direction
You are directionless and lacking purpose
Just like a ship that's lost at sea
Similar to a vessel that is lost and wandering
You don't care where you drop your anchor
You're reckless in your choices and the impact they have on others
Make sure it doesn't land on me
Please don't involve me in any of your reckless behavior
Walking around on a cloud
Feeling euphoric and invincible
'Cause every girl you meet just trips on you
Because every woman you encounter seems to fall for you
Saying your name out loud
Announcing your name for others to hear and acknowledge
I guess you met your match
You finally found someone who is your equal or able to stand up to your behavior
Now what will you do
What are your plans or actions following this realization?
To give your heart away
To give your affection and love to someone else
To a runaway lover
To someone who is always running away and not committed to a relationship
Uh uh, no way
There's no chance or possibility of that happening
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: . MADONNA, WILLIAM ORBIT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind