Take It Or Leave It
The Searchers Lyrics

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(Mick Jagger; Keith Richards)

You can turn off and on more times
Than a flashin' neon sign.
When you want you're bad
But you can be so kind

Just take it or leave it

Don't tell your friend
Just what you're gonna do now
You take it or leave it, it's just my life

There've been times when you tried
Makin' eyes at all my so called friends
Then you go, now you're back
But you can be so kind

Just take it or leave it
Don't tell your friend
Just what you're gonna do now
You take it or leave it, it's just my life

Oh, la la la ta ta ta ta la la la la
Oh, la la la ta ta ta ta la la
Oh, la la la ta ta ta ta la la la la
Oh, la la la ta ta ta ta la la

I'm sick and tired of the smile that you give
When you don't come home at night
You said you'd call, that's a lie
But you could be so kind

Just take it or leave it
Don't tell your friend
Just what you're gonna do now
You take it or leave it, it's just my life

Oh, la la la ta ta ta ta la la la la
Oh, la la la ta ta ta ta la la
Oh, la la la ta ta ta ta la la la la
Oh, la la la ta ta ta ta la la

Oh, la la la ta ta ta ta la la la la
Oh, la la la ta ta ta ta la la

Overall Meaning

The Searchers' Take It or Leave It is a song about a tumultuous relationship with someone who is both bad and kind. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is unreliable and inconsistent in their behavior, as indicated by the line "You can turn off and on more times than a flashing neon sign." The singer is tired of the mixed signals and the smile given after coming home late, despite claiming to call. The chorus urges this person to make a decision and to take responsibility for their own actions, either to take the singer or leave them alone.

The verses also reveal the conflicting emotions experienced by the singer towards their partner, who is described as being "bad" but also "kind". These contrasting qualities serve to illustrate the complexity of the relationship and the frustration of dealing with someone who is not easily defined. The song's catchy and rhythmic melody adds to the contradiction, producing a seemingly upbeat tune that masks the more serious subject matter of a relationship which is struggling to survive.

Line by Line Meaning

You can turn off and on more times Than a flashin' neon sign.
You are indecisive and constantly changing your mind, like a flashing neon sign.

When you want you're bad But you can be so kind
You have moments where you act in a hostile, unpleasant way, but you also have moments where you are kind and caring.

Just take it or leave it Don't tell your friend Just what you're gonna do now You take it or leave it, it's just my life
You should make a decision about whether or not to continue the current relationship, and keep that decision to yourself. It is ultimately your life and your decision to make.

There've been times when you tried Makin' eyes at all my so called friends Then you go, now you're back But you can be so kind
You have flirted with the artist's friends in the past, and although you have come and gone from the relationship, you still have moments of kindness.

I'm sick and tired of the smile that you give When you don't come home at night You said you'd call, that's a lie But you could be so kind
The artist is fed up with the insincere smile you give when you come home late without calling. Although you have lied, you still have moments of kindness.

Contributed by Jasmine O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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