Sometimes I feel I've got to run away
I've got to get away
From the pain you drive in the heart of me
The love we share seems to go nowhere
And I've lost my light
For I toss and turn, I can't sleep at night

Once I ran to you (I ran), now I run from you
This tainted love you've given
I'll give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all

Tainted love (oh-oh-oh)
Tainted love

Now I know I've got to run away
I've got to get away
You don't really want any more from me
To make things right
You need someone to hold you tight
And you'll think love is to pray
But I'm sorry I don't pray that way

Once I ran to you (I ran), now I run from you
This tainted love you've given
I'll give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all

Tainted love (oh-oh-oh)
Tainted love

Don't touch me please
I cannot stand the way you tease
I love you though you hurt me so
Now I'm gonna pack my things and go
Touch me, baby, tainted love
Touch me, baby, tainted love
Touch me, baby, tainted love
Touch me, baby, tainted love

Once I ran to you (I ran), now I run from you
This tainted love you've given
I'll give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all

Tainted love (oh-oh-oh)
Tainted love (oh-oh-oh)
Tainted love (oh-oh-oh)
Tainted love


Lyrics submitted by thekronic420

Tainted Love Lyrics as written by Edward Cobb

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Tainted Love (Soft Cell cover) song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

72 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    God, this song is addictive..

    Marmalade_Chainsawon January 18, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.