You Better Run

By artist

Artist Plays Gigs
Liam Gallagher 101 101

Liam Gallagher • from As You Were • 2017-10-06

Quick facts

Artist
Liam Gallagher
Release
As You Were
Release year
2017
Lyrics
Available
Recorded live plays
101 across 101 gigs

Lyrics

See me, I'm a living wonder
I'm gonna see you on the other side
I'm gonna steal your thunder
You'd better run, you'd better hide

I see you, you think you're something
Well you're nothing, you're a butterfly
You've no love, you've no reflection
You'd better run, you'd better hide

Angels, give me shelter
Cause I'm about to fall
Stone cold, Helter Skelter
I'm not afraid
I'm gonna face you off

Wake up, I'm onto something
You got me shaking and I feel alive
You know me, I'm all or nothin'
You'd better run, you'd better hide

Angels, give me shelter
Cause I'm about to fall
Stone cold, Helter Skelter
I'm not afraid
I'm gonna save you all

I got to stand for something
That's why I'm not standing for you
And I won't fall for no one
That's why I'm not falling for you

We got to stand for something
That's why we're not standing for you
And we won't fall for no one
That's why we're not falling for you

Ain't that something
Ain't that true
Walking someone
Else's shoes

Ain't that something
Ain't that true
Walking someone
Else's shoes

Listen / Watch

Notes

Liam used this track as a direct, aggressive challenge to mainstream rock acts. 

  • The U2 Connection: In interviews around the album's release, Liam specifically called out Bono and U2. He mocked their claims of "coming back to claim rock 'n' roll," stating that for a band of their size with massive resources, they weren't writing masterpieces anymore. He explicitly noted: “They're certainly no Beatles. This album's gonna give you a f*in' clip round the ear.”
  • The "Plastic" Rock Scene: Reviewers and fans noted the song targets modern mainstream acts who "are just happy to be at the party" rather than living the raw, volatile lifestyle of true rock 'n' roll

True to his roots, Liam packed the song with unapologetic nods to the 1960s and 70s rock giants that inspired him: 

  • "Living Wonder": The track opens with maximum swagger: "See me, I'm a living wonder... I'm gonna steal your thunder."
  • The Beatles & The Rolling Stones: The chorus bridges two iconic track titles with the lyric, "Angels, give me shelter... stone cold, Helter Skelter." When asked about recycling these legendary phrases, Liam told interviewers he considers it a "tip of the hat" rather than unoriginality, comparing his borrowing habits to David Bowie.
  • Defiance: The breakdown features the repetitive, rhythmic mantra: "I got to stand for something, that's why I'm not standing for you." 

Behind the Production

Unlike other tracks on As You Were that were co-written with pop mega-producer Greg Kurstin, "You Better Run" was solely written by Liam Gallagher. 

  • The Sound: Produced by Dan Grech-Marguerat, the song is a heavy, rhythmic "glam-stomp" driven by bluesy rock riffs and even features an unexpected, subtle trumpet arrangement by Ben Edwards.
  • Vocal Style: Music critics praised the track for capturing Liam's classic, aggressive "Lennon-meets-John-Lydon" snarl, which felt much more authentic than his work in the final days of Oasis or Beady Eye

 

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