Tighten Up
The Black Keys Lyrics
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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
The lyrics of The Black Keys' song Tighten Up speak about the singer's desire and need for love in their life, as they feel it is the most important thing they could have. The singer's worries stem from the word on the street that true love no longer exists, which is something they struggle to come to terms with. However, they cannot help but fall for the person they're singing to. The verse "Take my badge but my heart remains, lovin' you, baby child" signifies the singer's willingness to give up anything as long as their partner remains in their life. The singer also acknowledges that their partner is wild and needs to be reigned in, hence the line "tighten up on your reins; you're runnin' wild, runnin' wild."
The singer then goes on to talk about their current state, where they have been unwell and need relief. They are in search of a way to feel better and "get right," which could be interpreted as a reference to getting back to their former self. The lyric "when I was young and moving fast, nothin' slowed me down, oh, slowed me down" highlights how the singer has gotten older and things have changed. They now see the value in slowing down and enjoying a more leisurely pace of life. The song concludes with the singer telling their partner to get ready as they make their way towards a more stable and committed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanted love, I needed love
The singer desired and required love
Most of all, most of all
Above all else, it was what he needed the most
Someone said true love was dead
A person had said that genuine love is nonexistent
And I'm bound to fall, bound to fall
Despite that, the singer is destined to fall in love
For you
For the person he is addressing in the song
Oh, what can I do?
He is pondering what he can do in this love situation
Take my badge but my heart remains
The singer may lose everything, but he still loves the person he's addressing
Lovin' you, baby child
He loves the person like a child, a term of endearment
Tighten up on your reins
The singer is asking the person to control themselves and be more restrained
You're runnin' wild, runnin' wild
The person is behaving recklessly
It's true
What he is saying is factual
Sick for days, so many ways
The singer has been unwell in a variety of ways
I'm achin' now, I'm achin' now
Currently, he is in pain or discomfort
It's times like these I need relief
When he is suffering, he desires to be alleviated
Please show me how, oh, show me how
He is requesting guidance or assistance
To get right
He wants to feel better or improve his condition
Yes, out of sight
To the point where it's not noticeable anymore
When I was young and moving fast
In his younger years, he was in a rush
Nothin' slowed me down, oh, slowed me down
Nothing could impede him
Now I let the others pass
Nowadays, he lets others take the lead
I've come around, oh, come around
He has changed his perspective
'Cause I've found
Since he has found
Livin' just to keep goin'
Life being a continuous game of starting over again
Goin' just to be sane
He keeps moving to keep sane
All the while not knowin'
Despite that, he doesn't know
Such a shame
It's unfortunate
I don't need to get steady
He doesn't want to be consistent
I know just how I feel
He knows what he wants
Tellin' you to be ready
Letting the person know that he wants them to be prepared for him.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Quine Auerbach, Patrick James Carney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Badass392
Man those kids have deep voices
@Anarchy_Shark
got to love the way they combine child like inocence and girl troubles. truely a master peice.
@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.
@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.
@cheapbookkey
I believe this is one of the best music-videos ever made!
@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.
@BeastMachine7
The Black Keys are the best out!!! They are a perfect combo of old school, Rhythmic, and modern! God I don't know anyone out there that tops them! Great stuff!
@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
@haydenspears19
man buddy holly and ron weasley with a beard make some good music