John Lennon discusses Beatles song inspired by Elvis Presley

John Lennon expressed dislike for the Beatles song ‘Run for Your Life,’ which concludes their 1965 album ‘Rubber Soul.’ Lennon described the track as a ‘throwaway’ song that he ‘just knocked off.’

The song’s controversial lyrics, which involve threats of violence against a partner, were inspired by a line from the 1955 Elvis Presley song ‘Baby, Let’s Play House,’ written by Arthur Gunter. Lennon noted that he was inspired by the specific line, ‘I’d rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man.’

In an interview conducted with Yoko Ono shortly before his death, Lennon also spoke about his own history of violence against partners.