What's the sense in sharing this one and only life
Ending up just another lost and lonely wife
You'll count up the years, and they will be filled with tears
Love only breaks up to start over again
You'll get the baby, but you won't have your man
While he's busy loving every woman that he can, uh-huh
Say I'm gonna leave a hundred times a day
It's easier said than done when you just can't break away
(When you just can't break away)
Oh, young hearts run free
They'll never be hung up, hung up like my man and me
My man and me
Ooh, young hearts, to yourself be true
Don't be no fool when love really don't love you
Don't love you
It's high time now, just one crack at life
Who wants to live it in trouble and strife
My mind must be free to learn all I can about me, mm
I'm gonna love me for the rest of my days
Encourage the babies every time they say
“Self-preservation is what's really going on todayâ€
I say I'm gonna turn loose a thousand times a day
But how can I turn loose when I just can't break away
(When I just can't break away)
Oh, young hearts just run free
They'll never be hung up, hung up like my man and me
You and me
Ooh, young hearts, to yourself be true
Don't be no fool when love really don't love you
Don't love you
Oh, young hearts run free
They'll never be hung up, hung up like my man and me
My man and me
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, young hearts, to yourself be true
Don't be no fool when love really don't love you
It don't love you
Ooh, young hearts run free
They'll never be hung up, hung up like my man and me
My man and me
Oh, young hearts, to yourself be true
Don't be no fool when love really don't love you
Don't love you
Ooh, young hearts run free
They'll never be hung up, hung up like my man and me
Young Hearts Run Free
Young Hearts Run Free Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Candi Staton's iconic track, "Young Hearts Run Free," released in 1976, stands as a powerful anthem of liberation and self-preservation. Emerging during an era of evolving social perspectives, the song offers a raw and honest portrayal of a woman's disillusionment within a troubled relationship. While a video for the song was released on February 9, 2017, highlighting its enduring appeal across generations, the core message resonates from its original debut. The track's blend of soulful vocals, disco-infused rhythm, and poignant lyrics quickly solidified its place in music history, becoming a crossover hit that transcended genre boundaries and continues to inspire listeners.
The song's lyrics delve into the emotional turmoil experienced by the narrator, who finds herself in a marriage marked by infidelity and lack of fulfillment. She questions the purpose of sharing a life that leads only to loneliness and tears, lamenting the cyclical nature of broken promises and the man's unfaithfulness. Despite recognizing the futility of the situation and stating a desire to leave, she acknowledges the immense difficulty in breaking free from the ties that bind her. This internal conflict between the yearning for escape and the inability to act forms a central theme of the narrative.
Through her own painful experience, the narrator offers a heartfelt plea and warning to "young hearts." She urges them to learn from her mistakes, to be true to themselves, and not to become ensnared in relationships where love is not reciprocated. The message shifts from personal lament to universal advice, advocating for self-worth and independence. The lyrics emphasize the importance of seizing one's one chance at life, free from constant trouble and strife, and dedicating oneself to self-discovery and personal growth. The recurring line, "My mind must be free to learn all I can about me," underscores the pivot towards prioritizing individual well-being over a damaging partnership. This theme of self-love and encouraging younger generations towards "self-preservation" highlights the song's timeless message of empowerment and agency in the face of adversity.
