Gunface
The Rolling Stones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gonna go downtown
Gonna get my gun
Gonna dress real sharp
Gonna beat my drum
I ain't gonna lie

Gonna walk so slow
Gonna talk just right
And my diamond ring
Gonna shine so bright
I ain't gonna lie

I've got a debt to repay
I ain't gonna cry
I put a gun in your face
You'll pay with your life

And I got my ears
And I got my eyes
And I got my narks
And my alibis
I won't waste your time

You made one false move
You made one mistake
When the juice is squeezed
That's the way it breaks
You'll pay for your crime

Your tongue lickin' way out of place
I'll rip it out
I'll stick a gun in your face
You'll pay with your life

I taught her everything I taught her how to dream
I taught her everything
I'm gonna teach her how to scream
I taught her all she knows
I taught her how to lie
I taught her everything
I'm gonna teach her how to cry

And you cause me hurt
And you cause me pain
And you turned the tap
On my burning rage
And I can't put it out

Gonna leave no sign
Gonna leave no trace
Gonna leave this town
In a state of grace
Give me the power

I got a debt to repay
I ain't gonna lie
I put a gun in your face
You'll pay for the crime

I taught her everything
I taught her how to speak
I taught her all she knows
I taught her how to eat
I half invented her
And now she acts so chic
I taught her everything
But now she's obsolete

I taught her everything
How to read and write
I taught her all she knows
She was a neophyte
I taught her everything
I loved to watch her grow
I taught her everything
And now I want to see her go

I taught her everything
I got a debt to repay
I ain't gonna cry
I'll put a gun in your face
You're playing with your life

I taught her everything
I taught her how to cheat
I taught her all she knows
She was so indiscreet
I taught her everything
I taught her how to lie




I taught her everything
I'm gonna teach her how to cry

Overall Meaning

The Rolling Stones’s song Gunface is an intense look at someone seeking revenge on another who has caused them pain and hurt. The lyrics describe the singer's plan to seek revenge on someone who has caused them a wrong in the past. The singer has taught this person everything they know, and now they feel used and betrayed. The singer discusses how they are going to go downtown, dress up real nice, and bring a gun, all while walking slowly and talking quietly. They are going to show off their diamond ring, and then they will strike, putting the gun in the other person's face.


As the lyrics progress, the singer discusses how they are going to leave no trace behind after they have sought their revenge. They discuss how they have a debt to repay, but they will not cry when the other person pays for their crime. The singer discusses how they taught the other person everything they know, how to dream, speak, cheat, and lie. They talk about how they half-invented this individual, and now they are becoming "obsolete." They are going to teach that person how to cry, and they will put a gun in their face.


The song's lyrics are dark and intense, and it shows how someone can become so consumed by their rage that they feel the need to seek revenge. The song is a reflection of the singer's hurt, pain, and betrayal, and their burning rage that they cannot put out. It is interesting to note that the song was not released on an album, but rather on a 2002 compilation album, "Forty Licks."


Line by Line Meaning

Gonna go downtown
I am going to head to the city center


Gonna get my gun
I am going to procure my firearm


Gonna dress real sharp
I will be wearing stylish clothing


Gonna beat my drum
I am going to march to my own beat


I ain't gonna lie
I am not going to deceive


Gonna walk so slow
I will be taking my time strolling


Gonna talk just right
I will articulate myself perfectly


And my diamond ring
My expensive ring


Gonna shine so bright
It will be very luminous


I've got a debt to repay
I owe someone a favor


I ain't gonna cry
I will not shed tears


I put a gun in your face
I threatened you with a weapon


You'll pay with your life
I will take your life as punishment


And I got my ears
I am attentive


And I got my eyes
I am observant


And I got my narks
I have informants


And my alibis
I have a suitable excuse


I won't waste your time
I will be direct and efficient


You made one false move
You committed an error


You made one mistake
You blundered


When the juice is squeezed
When there is pressure


That's the way it breaks
Things fall apart


You'll pay for your crime
You will face consequences for your wrongdoing


Your tongue lickin' way out of place
You are speaking inappropriately


I'll rip it out
I will forcefully remove your tongue


I'll stick a gun in your face
I will point my weapon at you


I taught her everything I taught her how to dream
I instructed her in various aspects of life


I'm gonna teach her how to scream
I will show her how to express herself loudly


I taught her all she knows
I educated her extensively


I taught her how to lie
I showed her how to deceive


And you cause me hurt
You harmed me emotionally


And you cause me pain
You caused me physical discomfort


And you turned the tap
You provoked me further


On my burning rage
You ignited my intense anger


And I can't put it out
I cannot control my anger


Gonna leave no sign
I will not leave any evidence


Gonna leave no trace
I will not leave any hint of my presence


Gonna leave this town
I will depart from this place


In a state of grace
With dignity and respectability


Give me the power
I require the ability to carry out my plans


I taught her how to speak
I taught her how to communicate verbally


I taught her how to eat
I educated her in table manners


I half invented her
I played a significant role in her development


And now she acts so chic
She behaves with an air of sophistication


But now she's obsolete
But now she is outdated and no longer relevant


How to read and write
I taught her literacy skills


She was a neophyte
She was inexperienced


I loved to watch her grow
I enjoyed witnessing her development


And now I want to see her go
Now I desire for her to depart from my life


I taught her how to cheat
I instructed her in dishonesty


She was so indiscreet
She was careless in her actions




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEITH RICHARDS, MICK JAGGER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Greg Halder


on 2000 Light Years From Home

Totally underrated track and album..