Blogcritics: Comments on The Beatles' Run For Your Life - Official Stalker Song?

Comment by phil

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 21:57:11 EDT

this is not the first song to talk about killing a girl...a much more somber song is from a few years earlier...called Tom Dooley. They are just music lyrics people, but the song was banned in Canada in its day. when you think of all the violence on tv every day...whats the big deal

Comment by The Dude

Mon, 28 Jun 2004 15:04:32 EDT

Actually the first line of the song ("I rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man") comes from an old Elvis Presley cover, "Baby Let's Play House," I think. Ol' Johnny was a big Elvis fan and probably took that line to create the song. So I may be guessing, but I think the song is more of a music exercise than a confessional work of art.

Comment by JR

Mon, 28 Jun 2004 11:20:42 EDT

He did not, however, have a reputation for being violent, particularly towards women. Well, he punched a waitress at the Troubadour in 1974. I don't know if that's at all indicative of any of his relationships; but he sounds a little more violent than, say, Paul McCartney or George Harrison.

Comment by Shark

Mon, 28 Jun 2004 10:00:44 EDT

Another great stalker song from Steve Earle: -- More Than I Can Do -- I'm trying hard to let you go But it's more than I can do And every day or two I wind up right back where I started I'm trying not to let you know That I'm still in love with you I can't just sit home blue 'Cause there ain't no rest for the brokenhearted Just because you won't unlock your door That don't mean you don't love me anymore No matter what you do Because you know it's more than I can do You told me that I got to stop But it's more than I can do And that ain't nothing new 'Cause we both know that I'm crazy about you You said you're gonna call the cops But I ain't gonna run Because you're the only one There ain't no way I could live without you You left me just when I needed you So l ain't even close to through with you ==== end of lyrics ==== from the CD: I Feel Alright

Comment by Al Barger

Sun, 27 Jun 2004 23:00:18 EDT

Goldman was pretty notorious, and not just for his Lennon bio. I wouldn't put much stock in anything from Goldman. Which is not to say that John Lennon was without fault. He himself would PUKE at the way he's been turned into a cheap plastic dashboard saint. He was a heroin addict, cheated on his wives, and could be a major league asshole sometimes. He did not, however, have a reputation for being violent, particularly towards women. Oh, and between dope and drinking binges, he was also one of the greatest singers and songwriters of the rock era.

Comment by Vern Halen

Sun, 27 Jun 2004 20:43:00 EDT

I read the Goldman book - frankly, never really paid much attention to Lennon's personal life - always liked his contributions to the Beatles, though. So, was the biography inaccurate, or was he really the wet noodle he was made out to be?

Comment by Al Barger

Sun, 27 Jun 2004 17:25:32 EDT

Why would anyone believe Albert Goldman?

Comment by JR

Sun, 27 Jun 2004 17:14:44 EDT

Unlike OJ, he did not have any history of spousal abuse... Unless you believe Albert Goldman. Musically, I always liked this song.

Comment by Al Barger

Sun, 27 Jun 2004 16:46:25 EDT

True enough. John Lennon wrote this one, of course. McCartney just would never have entertained such a thought. Think of this as something of a mental companion to "Jealous Guy." For his part, John apparently hated this song himself. I suspect that he was a bit embarrassed by the shitty sentiment. Unlike OJ, he did not have any history of spousal abuse, let alone murder. On the other hand, it is a pretty good actual song. Also, the unusual harshness of the sentiment adds a little interesting texture to all those nicey-nice Paul McCartney songs.