A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

mickey wrote: ↑Tue Mar 15, 2022 7:49 pm Looking sexy?
i.e., Looking ready for sex.

tlarson58 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 15, 2022 10:39 pm Man, I dunno. I have listened to countless songs since I the days of AM radio and never stopped to figure out the intent of the lyrical messages.

My bandmates: "You didn't know that this song was about curly fries?" [example]
Me: "Um, never thought about it."
Them: "We've heard you sing the song!"
Me: "I've been singing about curly fries for 25 years? Hm. Who knew?"

Milkman wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 10:50 am Earlier in the song, he's making excuses for her by saying that these types of rumours get exaggerated as they get passed along from person to person because the story gets more exciting that way:

But I know the neighborhood
And talk is cheaper when the story is good
And the tales grow taller on down the line

Then he says "I don't think it's true, babe, and even if it is, keep this in mind: You take it on the run, baby, if that's the way you want it, baby, then I don't want you around". He's saying that if she wants to run around with other men, she can, but he won't be part of it. She knows this, so she makes up excuses and stories, which he knows in his heart are not true.

Finally he tells her that if the runs out on this particular night, then he's done with her: "If you leave tonight, keep running
And you need never look back again".

"Take it on the run" is not a hugely popular expression (not around here, anyway), but it means you treat things like a drive-thru fast food restaurant.... you get what you want, then you leave - you don't really get to know the person at the window. Maybe a better example is those marathon runners who grab a cup of water from someone at the checkpoint... they don't slow down, say thank you, or even know the name of the person with the water, they just take it on the run.

That's my interpretation @sabasgr68.... you can take it on the run , if that's the way you want it.

andrewsrea wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:33 am My interpretation, in a nutshell:

Romantic betrayal. Lovers living together. One is sensing a drop in the other's interest and is noticing indications of cheating (hence the album's double entendre name 'High Infidelity'). The other (presumably a girl) is dressing up, staying out late without the partner so much that the people of the town sense it and are talking. 'Take it on the run' means taking your love outside of their relationship. And his warning 'if you are going to do this, you and I are done forever.'

Great song and lyric. The verse has a major key feel, which is on the light and pleasing side. But the verse is clearly powerful & minor key, evoking heartache and strong betrayal. Incredibly meaningful to people who were experiencing the same thing when they first heard the song.

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 12:31 pm

andrewsrea wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:33 am My interpretation, in a nutshell:

Romantic betrayal. Lovers living together. One is sensing a drop in the other's interest and is noticing indications of cheating (hence the album's double entendre name 'High Infidelity'). The other (presumably a girl) is dressing up, staying out late without the partner so much that the people of the town sense it and are talking. 'Take it on the run' means taking your love outside of their relationship. And his warning 'if you are going to do this, you and I are done forever.'

Great song and lyric. The verse has a major key feel, which is on the light and pleasing side. But the verse is clearly powerful & minor key, evoking heartache and strong betrayal. Incredibly meaningful to people who were experiencing the same thing when they first heard the song.

Thanks, Rob. Yeah, that´s about it. There were some parts that confused me - like I said, he says "I don´t believe it, not for a minute", but the rest of the song he´s full of doubts -, but now I´m getting it better.

And yes, one of the things that I inmediately loved about this song is the transition from the pleasing side on verses, as you say, major chords mood, to that inmense sad or strong feeling in the chorus in the minor key. And I loved much more the extra chords in the solo - am, back to C, then Bm, then D to start again as normal. And the solo is also a perfect fit. I tend to like sad songs more than I like happier ones, even if I´m not feeling sad at all. I like songs in minor key a lot, and if the lyrics and solos are good, then I´m sold.

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 12:31 pm

andrewsrea wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:33 am My interpretation, in a nutshell:

Romantic betrayal. Lovers living together. One is sensing a drop in the other's interest and is noticing indications of cheating (hence the album's double entendre name 'High Infidelity'). The other (presumably a girl) is dressing up, staying out late without the partner so much that the people of the town sense it and are talking. 'Take it on the run' means taking your love outside of their relationship. And his warning 'if you are going to do this, you and I are done forever.'

Great song and lyric. The verse has a major key feel, which is on the light and pleasing side. But the verse is clearly powerful & minor key, evoking heartache and strong betrayal. Incredibly meaningful to people who were experiencing the same thing when they first heard the song.

Thanks, Rob. Yeah, that´s about it. There were some parts that confused me - like I said, he says "I don´t believe it, not for a minute", but the rest of the song he´s full of doubts -, but now I´m getting it better.

And yes, one of the things that I inmediately loved about this song is the transition from the pleasing side on verses, as you say, major chords mood, to that inmense sad or strong feeling in the chorus in the minor key. And I loved much more the extra chords in the solo - am, back to C, then Bm, then D to start again as normal. And the solo is also a perfect fit. I tend to like sad songs more than I like happier ones, even if I´m not feeling sad at all. I like songs in minor key a lot, and if the lyrics and solos are good, then I´m sold.

andrewsrea wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:06 pm

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 12:31 pm

andrewsrea wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:33 am My interpretation, in a nutshell:

Romantic betrayal. Lovers living together. One is sensing a drop in the other's interest and is noticing indications of cheating (hence the album's double entendre name 'High Infidelity'). The other (presumably a girl) is dressing up, staying out late without the partner so much that the people of the town sense it and are talking. 'Take it on the run' means taking your love outside of their relationship. And his warning 'if you are going to do this, you and I are done forever.'

Great song and lyric. The verse has a major key feel, which is on the light and pleasing side. But the verse is clearly powerful & minor key, evoking heartache and strong betrayal. Incredibly meaningful to people who were experiencing the same thing when they first heard the song.

Thanks, Rob. Yeah, that´s about it. There were some parts that confused me - like I said, he says "I don´t believe it, not for a minute", but the rest of the song he´s full of doubts -, but now I´m getting it better.

And yes, one of the things that I inmediately loved about this song is the transition from the pleasing side on verses, as you say, major chords mood, to that inmense sad or strong feeling in the chorus in the minor key. And I loved much more the extra chords in the solo - am, back to C, then Bm, then D to start again as normal. And the solo is also a perfect fit. I tend to like sad songs more than I like happier ones, even if I´m not feeling sad at all. I like songs in minor key a lot, and if the lyrics and solos are good, then I´m sold.

One of my favorites. I've seen REO live about 5 or 6 times - always a great show.

Rollin Hand wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 7:54 pm

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 12:31 pm

andrewsrea wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:33 am My interpretation, in a nutshell:

Romantic betrayal. Lovers living together. One is sensing a drop in the other's interest and is noticing indications of cheating (hence the album's double entendre name 'High Infidelity'). The other (presumably a girl) is dressing up, staying out late without the partner so much that the people of the town sense it and are talking. 'Take it on the run' means taking your love outside of their relationship. And his warning 'if you are going to do this, you and I are done forever.'

Great song and lyric. The verse has a major key feel, which is on the light and pleasing side. But the verse is clearly powerful & minor key, evoking heartache and strong betrayal. Incredibly meaningful to people who were experiencing the same thing when they first heard the song.

Thanks, Rob. Yeah, that´s about it. There were some parts that confused me - like I said, he says "I don´t believe it, not for a minute", but the rest of the song he´s full of doubts -, but now I´m getting it better.

And yes, one of the things that I inmediately loved about this song is the transition from the pleasing side on verses, as you say, major chords mood, to that inmense sad or strong feeling in the chorus in the minor key. And I loved much more the extra chords in the solo - am, back to C, then Bm, then D to start again as normal. And the solo is also a perfect fit. I tend to like sad songs more than I like happier ones, even if I´m not feeling sad at all. I like songs in minor key a lot, and if the lyrics and solos are good, then I´m sold.

toomanycats wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 8:19 pm Of all REO Speedwagon's songs this one in particular has a pronounced county sound. Sara Evans version really brings that out.