Wanted
The Bandettes Lyrics
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Yes they want me
I ride alone over the mountains and the hills
Where no one sees me I am safe
The night ist cold and dark
This cave will be my shelter
My shelter for the night
They won't catch me as long as I'm still hiding away
And I won't show up 'til I know that justice has been made
'Cause they want me dead or alive
Yes they want me
Oh they want me dead or alive
Yes they want me
The moonlight drenches all the branches in the trees
And all the birds will go to sleep
I take some time to think of all that I have done
Ain't no regrets in my mind
There are no bandits sitting behind bars
The real bandits are driving fancy cars
Dressed in tuxedos they are ruling our world
With only profit in their minds
'Cause they want me dead or alive
Yes they want me
Oh they want me dead or alive
Yes they want me
They won't catch me as long as I'm still hiding away
And I won't show up 'til I know that justice has been made
'Cause they want me dead or alive
Yes they want me
Oh they want me dead or alive
Yes they want me
The Bandettes' "Wanted" is a song about a person who is on the run and hiding from people who want them dead or alive. The singer is seeking shelter in a cave, where they are safe from their pursuers. Through the lyrics, we learn that the singer has done something in the past and has no regrets about it. The person believes that they won't show up until justice has been made. The lyrics also highlight the idea that the real bandits are not the ones who are being chased, but rather the people in power who are motivated by profit.
The song is a commentary on the corrupt nature of those in power, who are committing crimes and yet are not being held accountable. It is a call to action for people to stand up against the powerful and fight for what is right. The lyrics suggest that hiding away may be the best option for the singer, but ultimately justice must be served so they can come out of hiding.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh they want me dead or alive
The subject of the song is being pursued with the intention to capture them alive or dead
Yes they want me
The subject is wanted by an unknown group of individuals
I ride alone over the mountains and the hills
The subject travels in isolation through dangerous terrain
Where no one sees me I am safe
The subject seeks safety in isolation and anonymity
The night is cold and dark
The setting of the song is at night, in a dangerous environment
This cave will be my shelter
The subject takes refuge in a cave to hide from their pursuers
My shelter for the night
The cave is the subject's temporary home and place of safety for the night
They won't catch me as long as I'm still hiding away
The subject is confident they won't be captured as long as they remain hidden
And I won't show up 'til I know that justice has been made
The subject is waiting until justice is served before revealing themselves
'Cause they want me dead or alive
The subject reiterates that they are being wanted by their pursuers
The moonlight drenches all the branches in the trees
The setting is at night, with the moonlight illuminating the trees
And all the birds will go to sleep
The birds are settling down for the night as everything else awakens
I take some time to think of all that I have done
The subject reflects on their actions and decisions that led them to this point
Ain't no regrets in my mind
The subject expresses no remorse or guilt for their past choices
There are no bandits sitting behind bars
The subject criticizes society for its lack of justice in punishing those who commit crimes
The real bandits are driving fancy cars
The true criminals in society are the ones who hold power and wealth
Dressed in tuxedos they are ruling our world
The wealthy elite control society and maintain power
With only profit in their minds
The elite care only about their own financial gain, disregarding the well-being of others
They won't catch me as long as I'm still hiding away
The subject still holds confidence in their ability to remain hidden and avoid capture
And I won't show up 'til I know that justice has been made
The subject reiterates that they will not reveal themselves until justice has been served
'Cause they want me dead or alive
The song concludes with the subject acknowledging once again that they are being pursued by their captors
Yes they want me
The song concludes reaffirming that the subject is being sought after
Contributed by Abigail D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.