Listen to Take Me Or Leave Me by Rent

Take Me Or Leave Me

Rent

Musicals

52,167

Apple Music Note

OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

Take Me or Leave Me

Watch Take Me or Leave Me on YouTube

Featured In

Listen to Rent (Selections from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Jonathan Larson, Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Rosario Dawson & Idina Menzel

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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS

Greg Suran

Guitar

Tim Pierce

Guitar

Paul Bushnell

Bass

Dorian Crozier

Drums

Jamie Muhoberac

Jamie Muhoberac

Keyboards

Tracie Thoms

Lead Vocals

Idina Menzel

Lead Vocals

Tim Weil

Conductor

COMPOSITION & LYRICS

Jonathan Larson

Jonathan Larson

Songwriter

Rob Cavallo

Arranger

David Campbell

String Arranger

Tim Weil

Arranger

PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING

Rob Cavallo

Producer

Brian Cometa

Engineer

Dan Thompson

Engineer

Elan Trujillo

Engineer

Ted Jensen

Mastering Engineer

Doug McKean

Recording Engineer

Dan Chase

Engineer

Matt Beckley

Engineer

Andrew Scheps

Mixing Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Every single day, I walk down the street

I hear people say, "Baby, so sweet"

Ever since puberty, everybody stares at me

Boys, girls, I can't help it, baby

So be kind and don't lose your mind

Just remember that I'm your baby

[Chorus]

Take me for what I am

Who I was meant to be

And if you give a damn

Take me, baby, or leave me

Take me, baby, or leave me

[Verse 2]

A tiger in a cage can never see the sun

And this diva needs her stage, baby, let's have fun

You are the one I choose, folks would kill to fill your shoes

You love the limelight too now, baby

So be mine and don't waste my time

Crying, "Oh, honey bear, are you still my, my, my, baby?" (Don't you dare)

[Chorus]

Take me for what I am

Who I was meant to be

And if you give a damn

Take me, baby, or leave me

[Verse 3]

No way can I be what I'm not

But, hey, don't you want your girl hot?

Don't fight, don't lose your head

'Cause every night, who's in your bed? (Who?)

Who's in your bed?

Kiss, Pookie

[Verse 4]

It won't work

I look before I leap

I love margins and discipline

I make lists in my sleep, baby

What's my sin?

Never quit, I follow through

I hate mess, but I love you

What to do with my impromptu baby?

So be wise 'cause this girl satisfies

You got a prize, so don't compromise

You're one lucky baby

[Chorus]

Take me for what I am (A control freak)

Who I was meant to be (A snob, yet over-attentive)

And if you give a damn (A lovable droll geek)

Take me, baby, or leave me (And anal retentive!)

[Bridge]

That's it

The straw that breaks my back

I quit

Unless you take it back

Women

What is it about them?

Can't live

With them or without them

[Chorus]

Take me for what I am

Who I was meant to be (Who I was meant to be)

And if you give a damn (And if you give a damn, you better)

Take me, baby

Oh, take me (Take me or leave me)

Take me, baby

Or leave me

[Outro]

Guess I'm leaving

I'm gone

Written by: Jonathan Larson

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