You Better Run
Motörhead
The Relentless Spirit of Motörhead's 'You Better Run'
Motörhead's 'You Better Run' is a high-octane anthem that encapsulates the band's rebellious spirit and unyielding attitude. The lyrics, delivered with Lemmy Kilmister's signature gravelly voice, paint a picture of a life lived on the edge, with no apologies and no regrets. The opening lines, 'I got no reason, to lie to you / What’s in the cards, that’s what I do,' set the tone for a song that is brutally honest and unapologetically direct. This is a declaration of authenticity and a refusal to conform to societal expectations.
The chorus, 'You better run, oh baby you better run / I got a blade like lightning, silver bullets in my gun,' is a powerful metaphor for the band's aggressive and unstoppable nature. The imagery of a blade and silver bullets suggests a readiness to confront any challenge head-on, with a sense of danger and excitement. This is further emphasized by the lines, 'I’m iron & steel, I’m bad to the bone / You come looking for trouble, honey don’t you come alone,' which highlight a tough, unbreakable persona that is both intimidating and alluring.
Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of duality and contradiction, as seen in the lines, 'I’m short and I’m tall, I’m black and I’m white / Sometimes I be wrong, sometimes I be right.' This reflects the complexity of human nature and the idea that one can embody multiple, often conflicting, traits. The closing lines, 'I seen Satan coming honey in a big black Cadillac,' add a touch of dark humor and reinforce the song's rebellious, devil-may-care attitude. Overall, 'You Better Run' is a celebration of individuality, resilience, and the thrill of living life on one's own terms.