The Beatles: The Song John Lennon Regretted for Its ‘Disgusting Lyrics’
John Lennon, the late Beatles legend, is often celebrated for his profound songwriting abilities, but there was one song in the band’s catalog that he wished
he had never written. In a candid admission years after its release, Lennon expressed regret over “Run for Your Life,” a track from Rubber Soul (1965), citing its “disgusting lyrics.”
“Run for Your Life,” known for its dark and possessive tone, contains lines like “I’d rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man.” While it was a product
of Lennon’s state of mind at the time, he later reflected that the song was influenced by his early, often tumultuous relationships and his struggles with jealousy.
In an interview, Lennon confessed that he regretted writing the song, revealing that he felt it was “a bit of a throwaway” and
criticized the lyrics for their misogynistic undertones. “It’s a nasty song. I never should have written it,” he said. “I always wanted my songs to have meaning, to be socially conscious, and this one was just pure… disgusting.”
At the time, the track fit within the Beatles’ evolving musical style and the band’s exploration of different genres, but Lennon’s post-Beatles reflections were
filled with self-awareness about his earlier work. “Run for Your Life” has since become one of the most controversial Beatles songs, as fans and critics alike debate its place in the band’s catalog.
Despite Lennon’s regret, the song remains a significant part of The Beatles’ history, embodying the complexity of their creative evolution and the sometimes
problematic themes they explored. As Lennon continued to grow both personally and artistically, he distanced himself from such work, prioritizing messages of peace and love in his later solocareer.