Tighten Up
The Black Keys- Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wanted love, I needed love
Most of all, most of all
Someone said true love was dead
And I'm bound to fall, bound to fall
For you
Oh, what can I do?
Yeah
Take my badge but my heart remains
Lovin' you, baby child
Tighten up on your reins
You're runnin' wild, runnin' wild
It's true

Sick for days, so many ways
I'm achin' now, I'm achin' now
It's times like these I need relief
Please show me how, oh, show me how
To get right
Yes, out of sight

When I was young and moving fast
Nothin' slowed me down, oh, slowed me down
Now I let the others pass
I've come around, oh, come around
'Cause I've found

Livin' just to keep goin'
Goin' just to be sane
All the while not knowin'
Such a shame
I don't need to get steady
I know just how I feel




Tellin' you to be ready
My dear

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Tighten Up" by The Black Keys/Musicfire.in express the desire for love and the struggles that come with it. The opening lines acknowledge the need for love, and the fear that it may be impossible to find. The singer is determined to seek love, even though someone has told them that true love no longer exists. Despite this warning, they are still willing to fall for someone and are asking for guidance on how to proceed.


In the chorus, the singer confesses their love for the person they are singing to, and requests that they tighten up on their reins, as they are running wild. The singer is trying to convey that they want to have some control and stability in the relationship, but they still want to love the person wildly and passionately.


The second verse speaks of the physical and emotional pain that comes with seeking love. The singer is sick and in pain, but they still push on because they need to find relief. They have learned from their past experiences and have come to realize that they do not need to rush through life anymore. They have found a sense of peace and acceptance in themselves and are ready to take their time to find true love.


Overall, "Tighten Up" is a bittersweet love song that acknowledges the challenges of love while maintaining a sense of hope and determination.


Line by Line Meaning

I wanted love, I needed love
I was searching for love, it was a necessity for me


Most of all, most of all
Above all, it was the most important thing for me


Someone said true love was dead
I heard someone say that real love doesn't exist anymore


And I'm bound to fall, bound to fall
I am likely to fall in love with you


For you
I am falling in love with you


Oh, what can I do?
I don't know what to do, I am helpless and infatuated


Take my badge but my heart remains
I may lose everything but my love for you


Lovin' you, baby child
I love you, my precious


Tighten up on your reins
Control your actions and emotions


You're runnin' wild, runnin' wild
You are not controlling yourself, and it's causing chaos


It's true
This is a fact


Sick for days
I have been unwell for days


So many ways
In so many different ways


I'm achin' now
I feel a lot of pain now


I'm achin' now
I feel a lot of pain now


It's times like these I need relief
I need to feel better during difficult times


Please show me how
I'm requesting help from someone


Oh show me how
Please show me how


To get right
To feel better, to be okay


Yes, outta sight
Great, excellent


When I was young and moving fast
During my younger years, things were moving quickly


Nothing slowed me down
Nothing could stop me or make me slow down


Oh slowed me down
I didn't allow anyone or anything to stop me


Now I let the others pass
Nowadays, I allow others to pass me by


I've come around
I've changed my ways, perspective, or behavior


Oh come around
I've come around


'Cause I've found
Because I have discovered


Living just to keep going
I'm living just to keep surviving


Going just to be sane
I'm just going through the motions to keep my mental health


All the while live knowing
I am aware, while still living like this


Such a shame
It's unfortunate


I don't need to get steady
I do not require stability


I know just how I feel
I am aware of my emotions


Telling you to be ready
I am warning you to prepare


My dear
A term of endearment to address the person he loves




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Quine Auerbach, Patrick James Carney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@theblackkeys

Brothers Deluxe Remastered 10th Anniversary Edition is available in North America on December 18, 2020 & internationally on January 1, 2021.
Pre-order the 7” box set or 2-LP set or CD here: http://smarturl.it/TheBlackKeysBrothers

@Anarchy_Shark

got to love the way they combine child like inocence and girl troubles. truely a master peice.

@Badass392

Man those kids have deep voices

@haydenspears19

man buddy holly and ron weasley with a beard make some good music

@yassarout

Black Keys you're the proof that there's still some good music out there.

@MaeChristabel

I'm in love with The Black Keys. I introduced them to my boyfriend, he is now also in love with them. Our relationship has been amazing since.

@xbartndrgrl

I heard this on the radio last night while driving home super late- and I almost ran into the curb. Their sound is reminiscent of rock and old soul; something rarely heard in today's music. This song tugs at your soul. Thanks so much for making it.

@Qrocknrollfreak13

"Living just to keep going, going just to be sane" One of the best lines of the whole song

@LiamCrowley1990

I remember seeing this video when it had about 4,000 views, I'm so happy they broke through, they deserve it so much, this album is absolutely awesome.

@1luigy2

Nice Parents

More Comments

More Versions