Tainted Love
Escaping Tainted Love's Grip: A Journey of Heartache and Liberation
Lyrics
Sometimes I feel I've got to
Sometimes the speaker feels compelled to
Run away, I've got to
Escape and distance themselves
Get away from the pain you drive in the heart of me
From the emotional pain inflicted by someone
The love we share
Referencing a past or current romantic relationship
Seems to go nowhere
The love shared is unfulfilling and leads to nowhere
And I've lost my light
The speaker feels a sense of darkness or despair
For I toss and turn I can't sleep at night
Insomnia and emotional turmoil prevent peaceful sleep
Once I ran to you (I ran)
Initially sought comfort in the person causing pain
Now I'll run from you
Now actively avoids and distances themselves
This tainted love you've given
The love received is tainted, negatively impacting the speaker
I give you all a boy could give you
The speaker gave their all in the relationship
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Even their tears were offered, indicating deep emotional investment
Tainted love
Emphasizes the corrupted nature of the love
Tainted love
Reiterates the idea of love being tainted
Tainted Love
Repetition for emphasis on the corrupted love
Now I know I've got to
Realization that escaping is necessary
Run away I've got to
Continued emphasis on the need to run away
Get away
To distance from a relationship that demands no more
You don't really want any more from me
The partner doesn't desire additional commitment
To make things right
To make things right, someone else is needed
You need someone to hold you tight
The partner needs physical comfort
And you think love is to pray
The partner believes love involves praying
But I'm sorry I don't pray that way
The speaker disagrees with the partner's concept of love
Once I ran to you (I ran)
Reflects on the initial instinct to seek solace
Now I'll run from you
Current decision to distance oneself
This tainted love you've given
Reiteration of the detrimental impact of the love
I give you all a boy could give you
Similar to line 12, emphasizing the speaker's giving
Take my tears that's not nearly all
Reiteration of offering tears, emphasizing emotional investment
Tainted love
Reiterates the corrupted nature of the love
Tainted love
Repetition for emphasis on the tainted love
Don't touch me please
The partner's touch is unwelcome
I cannot stand the way you tease
Expresses discomfort with teasing behavior
I love you though you hurt me so
The speaker still loves despite the hurt caused
I'm gonna pack my things and go
Decision to leave due to the unbearable situation
Once I ran to you (I ran)
Recalls the initial inclination to seek comfort
Now I'll run from you
Current decision to distance oneself
This tainted love you've given
Reiteration of the negative impact of the tainted love
I give you all a boy could give
Similar to line 12, emphasizing the speaker's giving
Take my tears that's not nearly all
Reiteration of offering tears, emphasizing emotional investment
Tainted love, tainted love
Final emphasis on the corrupted nature of the love
Run away, I’ve got to get away
Reiteration of the need to run away
Tainted love
Final repetition of the tainted nature of the love
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