Heard it from a friend who
Heard it from a friend who
Heard it from another you been messin’ around
They say you got a boy friend
You’re out late every weekend
They’re talkin’ about you and it’s bringin’ me down

But I know the neighborhood
And talk is cheap when the story is good
And the tales grow taller on down the line
But I’m telling you, babe
That I don’t think it’s true, babe
And even if it is keep this in mind

Chorus:
You take it on the run baby
If that’s the way you want it baby
Then I don’t want you around
I don’t believe it
Not for a minute
You’re under the gun so you take it on the run

You’re thinking up your white lies
You’re putting on your bedroom eyes
You say you’re coming home but you won’t say when
But I can feel it coming
If you leave tonight keep running
And you need never look back again

Chorus x3

Heard it from a friend who
Heard it from a friend who
Heard it from another you been messin’ around



Lyrics submitted by Eralstud

Track duration: 04:02


Take it on the Run song meanings
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23 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:The short of the song is that its about a guy whose chick is cheating on him, even though he doesn't wanna believe the stories. The guy is just so in love with the girl that he can't believe the story.
    Flag CKF929on January 03, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Could be interested in her, not in a relationship, but hearing stories and lecturing her on what it would mean if true. As far as not believing there would be no point in the song. He's singing in a polite way what amounts to 'People say you're a whore. Since I'm not positive, me, the person who has been listening and possibly participating while others drag your name through the mud, thought I'd share this so you'd know where I stand when I make a decision as to what you are. So are you?" I recommend not having this conversation unless sure but then there'd be no point.

    A funny spin. What if those close to her suspected or knew she was interested in someone but didn't know who and the story took a life of its own? There would be a huge irony if he questioned and insinuated the same thing, angry his interest had another interest or reported "lover", and the whole time it was him.

    Flagged chaidrinkeron April 09, 2011   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning:So far I haven't seen anyone nail the meaning of this song. I have a 100% connection to what this song is about.

    This song is about a guy who is dating a woman. This woman has obviously been leaving for periods of time and he has this trust in her that everything is ok.

    Then he starts hearing from people that "you've been messing around." So it seems on one of the night she plans on going out, he starts asking about where she is going and what she is doing that night and he sees that "You’re thinking up your white lies. You’re putting on your bedroom eyes. You say you’re coming home but you won’t say when..." He puts her "under the gun" by telling her what he has been hearing and tells her that at that moment he doesn't believe it but to take this message when she is leaving "so you take it on the run" (also implies that she could be running around with other men so he might actually believe it) and the key message is "If you leave tonight keep running" because if she does leave, he doesn't need her coming back again.

    The under the gun is telling her she needs to make a choice. She can either stay with him or he believes she really is messing around with other people and he doesn't need her still around.

    He tries to give her the benefit of the doubt though by saying the rumors could be nothing and talk is cheap. He wants her to prove to him with actions that she wants to be with him by staying. If she leaves though, he will believe what the others are saying and that she is messing around on him.

    Unfortunately, the song also implies that she did leave him instead of staying, so he says "You take it on the run baby, if that's the way you want it baby, then I don't want you around."

    Flagged cold0eroon December 24, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:If anyone can't read the lyrics and see what he means, I think they need some help ;D
    Flag vegeto079on November 14, 2010   Link
  • -3
    Song Meaning:This are words of a father that is destroyed by looking at his daughter growing up and becoming a woman. This song its about his daughter! Are you guys blind? Read the lyrics again.
    Flag huracanon October 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The feeling I get from this song is that this guy doesn't want to believe his "girl" is sleeping around on him... but after a while he starts to feel as though she is...

    However, there is some sort of bond that they have, maybe a history together... He is saying that if she is going out with other guys then she should go ahead and do whatever she wants... she really hurts him and she is not honest with him... but she comes back to him and he is basically saying you don't have to come back to me...

    The interesting thing is that he knows she is sleeping around and he is sad... but he doesn't get angry and he doesn't want her to leave... he is genuinley hurt and saying if you want to be with other guys then go ahead... you dont have to come back to me...

    He truly loves her beyond personal gain
    Flag swindt412on August 01, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I also wanna add that the guitar solo in this song freakin rocks!
    Flag PrenticeGTon September 22, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment:Being "under the gun" means the pressure is on you. She has gotten away with whatever she has done for a long time, but now she is feeling the heat and she is on the run, hiding from the truth.
    Flag PrenticeGTon September 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:one of my favorites by them :)
    Flag PrEsLeYsBiGsIsTaon September 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Great song by REO Speedwagon. I wanna follow up on something Garret said.

    I don't believe "under the gun" means "put on the spot", nor "alone".

    Think about it. When you're "under the gun" ... it means you aren't suspected of something - whether it's something you're doing, saying, etc.

    In the case of this song .. the line "You're under the gun, so you take it on the run" - in my opinion (and let's say the boyfriend is the lead singer) ... the lead singer's girlfriend takes what she can get from other guys at a time or place where he leasts expects it. She's been getting away with this method for god knows how long and he doesn't suspect it, because she's under the gun - being discrete about it. But when he gets home and she "puts on her bedroom eyes" ... she acts innocent, as if she's been waiting for him, when that CLEARLY isn't true, but he doesn't see it.
    Flag Yankeesfan630on June 01, 2008   Link

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