Tainted Love
Straight No Chaser Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sometimes I feel I've got to
Run away I've got to
Get away
From the pain that you drive into the heart of me
The love we share
Seems to go nowhere
And I've lost my light
For I toss and turn I can't sleep at night

Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Oh...tainted love
Tainted love

Now I know I've got to
Run away I've got to
Get away
You don't really want it any more from me
To make things right
You need someone to hold you tight
And you'll think love is to pray
But I'm sorry I don't pray that way

Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Oh...tainted love
Tainted love

Don't touch me please
I cannot stand the way you tease
I cannot stand the way you tease
I love you though you hurt me so
Now I'm going to pack my things and go
Tainted love, tainted love
Tainted love, tainted love
Touch me baby, tainted love
Touch me baby, tainted love




Tainted love, tainted love
Tainted love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Straight No Chaser's "Tainted Love" convey a sense of heartache and the desire to break free from a toxic relationship. The singer expresses a need to escape the pain inflicted on them by their lover, who seems incapable of reciprocating their emotions. The love that was once shared has now become only tainted and there is no hope of it ever being restored. The singer acknowledges that they gave their all to the relationship and shed numerous tears, but it was all in vain as their lover failed to see their worth.


As the singer resolves to run away from the situation, they recognize that their lover too needs someone to hold them tight, someone who can offer comfort in the face of turmoil. However, the singer is unwilling to be that person as they do not believe in praying for love as their lover might. As the chorus repeats, the song emphasizes the tainted nature of the love that is no longer nourishing but rather suffocating. The final plea to "touch me baby" can be interpreted as either a final plea for a physical connection or a sarcastic taunt delivered with a sense of resigned irony.


Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the damaging effects of a one-sided relationship, reminding listeners of the importance of self-respect and the ability to walk away from harmful situations.


Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes I feel I've got to
There are certain moments when I sense an urge to


Run away I've got to
I have to escape from this situation


Get away
Leave this place


From the pain that you drive into the heart of me
Due to the hurt you cause me, it's like a sharp object being pushed into my heart


The love we share
The affection we once had for each other


Seems to go nowhere
It feels like our bond is not progressing


And I've lost my light
I've lost my happiness


For I toss and turn I can't sleep at night
I'm unable to sleep and restless all night


Once I ran to you (I ran)
In the past, I sought refuge in you (I ran)


Now I'll run from you
Now I need to distance myself from you


This tainted love you've given
The love you've given me is damaged and unhealthy


I give you all a boy could give you
I gave you everything a man could give you


Take my tears and that's not nearly all
You've made me cry and caused me so much pain, and that's just the beginning of it


Oh...tainted love
This tainted love is contaminated and unsalvageable


Now I know I've got to
I'm fully aware that I have to


Run away I've got to
I have to escape from this situation


Get away
Leave this place


You don't really want it any more from me
You are no longer interested in receiving anything from me


To make things right
To fix our relationship


You need someone to hold you tight
You need someone to comfort and support you


And you'll think love is to pray
You believe that love is something to pray for


But I'm sorry I don't pray that way
Unfortunately, I don't share that same belief


Don't touch me please
Please refrain from touching me


I cannot stand the way you tease
It's unbearable the way you tease me


I love you though you hurt me so
Despite the hurt, I still have feelings for you


Now I'm going to pack my things and go
I'm leaving and packing my belongings


Tainted love, tainted love
This love is tainted and unhealthy


Touch me baby, tainted love
Caress me, even though the love is toxic


Touch me baby, tainted love
Caress me, even though the love is toxic


Tainted love, tainted love
This love is tainted and unhealthy




Contributed by Landon T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@s3dh3k

For all those people who comment that there are instruments in the background, you really need to see Straight No Chaser LIVE. You will realise that it is simply 10 amazing vocalists doing all this...

@lovelygirl18

found them on youtube about two hours ago by accident and now I just keep clicking and listening to more. I should be sleeping

@Gmcworrior1

me too

@maxinejones1519

lovelygirl18 seeing them in November here...can't wait

@iloveeeeyouuuuux3

"Do you really even have a show?! I don't really wanna hear any crazy stories about you Michael." My favorite part of the whole video. ♥

@smbmadman1

Best version of Tainted Love ever! :P

@lucystarr4251

Lies

@NODARRYL

WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! What a group.

@gster391

Believe me, it's not an instrument, that's definitely a voice. A really, really impressive voice.

@Thorftw34

Every song brings joy to my day! Real talent is a rarity these days, and these guys shine above them all.

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