You Better Run
Motorhead渀 Lyrics


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I got no reason, to lie to you
What's in the cards, that's what I do
I was born a-running and laughing out loud
With my feet on the ground and my head in the clouds

You better run, oh baby you better run
I got a blade like lightning, silver bullets in my gun
I'm short and I'm tall, I'm black and I'm white
Sometimes I be wrong, sometimes I be right
I'm iron and steel, I'm bad to the bone
You come looking for trouble, honey don't you come alone

I seen 'em come, and I seen 'em go,
I seen things and been people, that nobody knows




I'm talking in pictures and I'm painting them black,
I seen Satan coming honey in a big black Cadillac

Overall Meaning

In "You Better Run," Lemmy Kilmister, lead singer of Motörhead, is warning his listeners of his dangerous reputation. He asserts that he has no reason to lie, and what's going to happen is going to happen, no matter what anyone does to stop it. He was "born a-running," an unstoppable force who lives life out loud. He warns others that they better run, as he has a blade as quick as lightning and silver bullets in his gun.


The lyrics reflect Kilmister's hard-edged image as a musician and his love of fast, loud music. He presents himself as someone who has seen it all, with experiences and knowledge that others can only imagine. The line "I'm talking in pictures and I'm painting them black" refers to his ability to vividly describe the world around him, even when it's grim or violent.


The chorus emphasizes his threat, as he alternates between singing and shouting "You better run" while describing himself as both "short and tall" and "black and white." This language reflects his status as an outsider and rebel, someone who refuses to be categorized or tamed by society's expectations.


Line by Line Meaning

I got no reason, to lie to you
I have no intention to deceive you


What's in the cards, that's what I do
I live my life and accept what comes my way


I was born a-running and laughing out loud
I was born adventurous and happy


With my feet on the ground and my head in the clouds
I have a grounded understanding of reality and a limitless imagination


You better run, oh baby you better run
You should run away from me, because I am dangerous


I got a blade like lightning, silver bullets in my gun
I am a skilled fighter and I have weapons at my disposal


I'm short and I'm tall, I'm black and I'm white
I am diverse in appearance


Sometimes I be wrong, sometimes I be right
I am not perfect and I make mistakes


I'm iron and steel, I'm bad to the bone
I am tough and fearless


You come looking for trouble, honey don't you come alone
If you seek out conflict with me, be prepared for a fight


I seen 'em come, and I seen 'em go,
I have witnessed many people pass through my life


I seen things and been people, that nobody knows
I have experienced things and been around people that are unknown to others


I'm talking in pictures and I'm painting them black,
I communicate through vivid imagery and often depict darkness


I seen Satan coming honey in a big black Cadillac
I have experienced evil and danger firsthand




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN FRASER KILMISTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@jmaxxtv9912

41 years ago today, this aired as the second video ever played on MTV...Cheers, Pat & Neil! ❤🎶

@shananagans5

I recall that. I was 14 years old, my friends and I were excited to see MTV so we had the TV on waiting for it. We live in mountain time zone and we got the time wrong so we had to watch an hour of static but MTV finally came on.
I was kind of disappointed when Video Killed The Radio Star was the first song but then this blew my doors off. I was already a Pat Benatar fan and this video made my jaw drop

@mh5259

@@shananagans5 Yeah, but that kinda had to the the first song, though, right? Although VH's Light Up The Sky would've been apropos as well.

@de629

I'm 63 and still rocking this song.

@shananagans5

@@mh5259 Very true. I didn't expect the first song on MTV to be something I had never heard before and, to be totally honest, I never really liked that song. Video Killed The Radio Star was a good first song. The title was perfect but the song itself never resonated with me.
Like singing Happy Birthday. It's appropriate but you aren't really going to jam out to it. lol

@JoyofBooking

​@@shananagans5 what channel number was it?

17 More Replies...

@DonCatherman

This was the second video played on MTV....👍,,,,

@DonCatherman

Any know the first one..




Video killed the radio star....

@pinastigas76

@@DonCatherman Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles

@hectoralfaro-rivera7572

@@pinastigas76 but this is the first video played on MTV with guitars ... 😁

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