Take It on the Run
REO Speedwagon Lyrics


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Heard it from a friend who
Heard it from a friend who
Heard it from another, you been messin' around
They say you got a boyfriend
You're out late every weekend
They're talkin' about you and it's bringin' me down
But I know the neighborhood
And talk is cheap when the story is good
And the tales grow taller on down the line
But I'm tellin' you, babe
That I don't think it's true, babe
And even if it is, keep this in mind

You take it on the run, baby
If that's the way you want it, baby
Then I don't want you around
I don't believe it
Not for a minute
You're under the gun, so you take it on the run

You're thinkin' up your white lies
You're puttin' on your bedroom eyes
You say you're comin' home but you won't say when
But I can feel it comin'
If you leave tonight, keep runnin'
And you need never look back again

You take it on the run, baby
If that's the way you want it, baby
Then I don't want you around
I don't believe it
Not for a minute
You're under the gun, so you take it on the run

Take it on the run, baby
If that's the way you want it, baby
Then I don't want you around
I don't believe it
Not for a minute
You're under the gun, so you take it on the run
Take it on the run, baby
If that's the way you want it, baby
Then I don't want you around
I don't believe it
Not for a minute
You're under the gun, so you take it on the run

Heard it from a friend who




Heard it from a friend who
Heard it from another, you been messin' around

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of REO Speedwagon's "Take It on the Run" tell a story of betrayal and suspicion. The singer has heard that their significant other has been "messin' around" from a chain of friends, but they don't want to believe it outright. They express skepticism, saying that "talk is cheap when the story is good," and that tales have a way of growing taller as they spread. However, they can't entirely shake the suspicion, hence the line "even if it is keep this in mind."


The chorus of the song is a clear ultimatum: "you take it on the run baby, if that's the way you want it baby, then I don't want you around." The singer is giving their partner the choice to admit to any wrongdoing and take responsibility, or to leave if they insist on keeping secrets. The final verse implies that the partner is indeed guilty, referring to "white lies" and the feeling that they won't come back if they leave.


Overall, the lyrics of "Take It on the Run" are a relatable and straightforward take on the pain of infidelity and the struggle to trust those around us. It's a song that captures the anger, frustration, and heartache that come with any kind of breach in a relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Heard it from a friend who
I heard a rumor about you from a friend


Heard it from a friend who
The rumor was passed along through a chain of friends


Heard it from another you been messin' around
The rumor is that you have been unfaithful


They say you got a boy friend
The rumor is that you have a boyfriend


You're up late every weekend
The rumor is that you stay out late every weekend


They're talkin' about you and it's bringin' me down
The rumor is causing me distress


But I know the neighborhood
I am familiar with the area and the rumors that circulate there


And talk is cheap when the story is good
People love to gossip, even if the rumor may not be true


And the tales grow taller on down the line
The rumors become more exaggerated as they are passed along


But I'm telling you, babe
I want to share my thoughts with you


That I don't think it's true, babe
I don't believe the rumor to be true


And even if it is keep this in mind
Even if the rumor is true, consider the following


You take it on the run baby
If you're guilty, face the consequences


If that's the way you want it baby
If you wish to run away from the situation, go ahead


Then I don't want you around
If you're going to be unfaithful, I don't want to be with you


I don't believe it, not for a minute
I don't believe the rumor, even for a second


You're under the gun so you take it on the run
You're feeling the pressure of the situation and are running away


You're thinking up your white lies
You're coming up with excuses to justify your behavior


You're putting on your bedroom eyes
You are using seduction to avoid confrontation


You say you're coming home but you won't say when
You claim to be returning home but won't specify a time


But I can feel it coming
I sense that our relationship is coming to an end


If you leave tonight keep running
If you decide to leave, don't stop running


And you need never look back again
And you should never turn back and come home


Take it on the run baby
Face the consequences of your actions


If that's the way you want it baby
If you choose to run away, so be it


Then I don't need you around
If you're going to deceive me, I don't want to be with you


I don't believe it, not for a minute
I don't believe the rumor at all


You're under the gun so you take it on the run
You're feeling pressured to run away




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Gary Dean Richrath

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@carlosstefanut7258

Doesn't matter if Cobra Kai bring you here. You are here just because you have a good taste in music. Enjoy the song.🤘🏻

@uriahhayes8314

Yea facts

@bryden3443

@@uriahhayes8314 50 seconds ago 😳😳

@uriahhayes8314

@@bryden3443 what?

@bryden3443

@@uriahhayes8314 never mind

@uriahhayes8314

@@bryden3443 lol what

397 More Replies...

@rafemanrafeman6705

The perfect song to blast on your way home from the beach in the summer with the windows down and the sun setting. Trust me

@dfr1833

I like you.

@JMFP01

Hell yeah, just did a sunset packy run, blasting this on the way home.

@ratter531

For those of us who lived it, the 80's will never be replicated, so many great bands and songs, miss that era so much.

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