Running
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
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Not away, because there is no such place
Because, if there was I would have found it by now
Because it's easier to run
Easier than staying and finding out you're the only one
Who didn't run
Because running will be the way your life and mine
Will be described
As in "the long run"
Or as in having given someone a "run for his money"
Or as in "running out of time"
Because running makes me look like everyone else
Though I hope there will ever be cause for that
Because I will be running in the other direction
Not running for cover
Because if I knew where cover was
I would stay there and never have to run for it
Not running for my life
Because I have to be running for something of more value
To be running and not in fear
Because the thing I fear cannot be escaped
Eluded, avoided, hidden from, protected from, gotten away from
Not without showing the fear as I see it now
Because closer, clearer, no sir, nearer
Because you of you and because of that nice
That you quietly, quickly be causing
And because you're going to see me run soon
And because you're going to know why I'm running then
You'll know then
Because I'm not going to tell you now
The lyrics of "Running" by Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx are rich, thoughtful, and introspective. The first thing that strikes the listener is the repeated line, "Because I always feel like running." The singer is not running away from anything, but rather running towards something, even if he doesn't know what that something is. The line "Not away, because there is no such place. Because, if there was, I would have found it by now" suggests that he has been searching for a place of refuge, a place of safety, but has come to the realization that it doesn't exist.
The singer finds it easier to run than to stay and face his fears. He talks about how running makes him look like everyone else, but he hopes there will ever be cause for that. There is a sense of individuality and uniqueness that is lost when everyone starts to run. Running becomes a way of life, a part of identity, as he says, "Because running will be the way your life and mine will be described." He also touches upon the different ways in which running can be described, either as a long run, or as having given someone a "run for his money."
The last few lines of the song are particularly striking. The singer talks about how he's not running for his life, but rather for something of more value, something he's not afraid of. He hints at a connection with someone else, saying, "because of you and because of that nice, that you quietly, quickly be causing." The song ends on a mysterious note, with the singer saying, "And because you're going to see me run soon, And because you're going to know why I'm running then, You'll know then. Because I'm not going to tell you now."
Overall, "Running" is a powerful and thought-provoking song, with lyrics that touch upon the human need for safety, identity, and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Because I always feel like running
Running is a constant inclination in the artist.
Not away, because there is no such place
Running from a problem or a feeling is not a viable solution.
Because, if there was I would have found it by now
If there was a place to run away to, I would've discovered it already.
Because it's easier to run
Running is an easier option than confronting a difficult situation.
Easier than staying and finding out you're the only one
It's easier for me to run than stay and confront the possibility that I'm the only one left.
Who didn't run
Everyone else seems to have run from their problems and I fear being the only one who didn't.
Because running will be the way your life and mine
Running may become the defining characteristic of both of our lives.
Will be described
People will describe my life and your life as a state of running.
As in 'the long run'
Running will be a long-term theme in our lives.
Or as in having given someone a 'run for his money'
Our lives will be analogous to having challenged someone and provided them with unexpected competition.
Or as in 'running out of time'
The phrase 'running out of time' will apply to our lives.
Because running makes me look like everyone else
Running serves to make me indistinguishable from others who are running away from things.
Though I hope there will ever be cause for that
I hope that someday there won't be a need for running.
Because I will be running in the other direction
I will not run in the same direction as others but towards something new.
Not running for cover
I'm not running to hide or protect myself.
Because if I knew where cover was
If I knew where a safe place was, I wouldn't have to run.
I would stay there and never have to run for it
I would stay there permanently, without the need to run anywhere else.
Not running for my life
I'm not running to save my life.
Because I have to be running for something of more value
I'm running for something significant that is worth the effort.
To be running and not in fear
I'm running as a choice instead of being driven by terror.
Because the thing I fear cannot be escaped
My fear is persistent, unavoidable, and cannot be removed.
Eluded, avoided, hidden from, protected from, gotten away from
My fear cannot be avoided, concealed, or escaped, no matter what I do.
Not without showing the fear as I see it now
I can't escape my fear without confronting it and revealing it for what it is.
Because closer, clearer, no sir, nearer
As time goes on, the fear is becoming more pronounced and more real.
Because you of you and because of that nice
Your presence and pleasant demeanor are reasons for me to run.
That you quietly, quickly be causing
Your presence is causing me to run quickly and silently.
And because you're going to see me run soon
You will see me run in the near future due to these apprehensions.
And because you're going to know why I'm running then
You'll be able to understand why I'm running when you witness it firsthand.
You'll know then
You'll discover the reason for my running when you see me doing it.
Because I'm not going to tell you now
I'm not willing to explain my reasons for running yet; the time will come when you'll discover them on your own.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gil Scott-Heron, Richard Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Act23ful
Because I always feel like running
Not away, because there is no such place
Because, if there was I would have found it by now
Because it's easier to run,
Easier than staying and finding out you're the only one...who didn't run
Because running will be the way your life and mine will be described
As in "the long run"
Or as in having given someone a "run for his money"
Or as in "running out of time"
Because running makes me look like everyone else, though I hope there will ever be cause for that
Because I will be running in the other direction, not running for cover
Because if I knew where cover was, I would stay there and never have to run for it
Not running for my life, because I have to be running for something of more value to be running and not in fear
Because the thing I fear cannot be escaped, eluded, avoided, hidden from, protected from, gotten away from,
Not without showing the fear as I see it now
Because closer, clearer, no sir, nearer
Because of you and because of that nice
That you quietly, quickly be causing
And because you're going to see me run soon and because you're going to know why I'm running then
You'll know then
Because I'm not going to tell you now
@romelloblack490
R.I.P. to one of my Heroes. I need this c.d.
@jnboado
RIP Love these words "In the end youll know why im running"
@beatleslad
did my research paper on gil.. he's awesome and his lyrics mean so much more than it seems!
@Rudkut
Jesse Nacht doi/link please ;-)
@Act23ful
Because I always feel like running
Not away, because there is no such place
Because, if there was I would have found it by now
Because it's easier to run,
Easier than staying and finding out you're the only one...who didn't run
Because running will be the way your life and mine will be described
As in "the long run"
Or as in having given someone a "run for his money"
Or as in "running out of time"
Because running makes me look like everyone else, though I hope there will ever be cause for that
Because I will be running in the other direction, not running for cover
Because if I knew where cover was, I would stay there and never have to run for it
Not running for my life, because I have to be running for something of more value to be running and not in fear
Because the thing I fear cannot be escaped, eluded, avoided, hidden from, protected from, gotten away from,
Not without showing the fear as I see it now
Because closer, clearer, no sir, nearer
Because of you and because of that nice
That you quietly, quickly be causing
And because you're going to see me run soon and because you're going to know why I'm running then
You'll know then
Because I'm not going to tell you now
@isaiahmyca
Running! Yeah! That's me! Runnin from this dam job and those evil people. Runnin from being tired and feeling trap with my life. Runnin from letting go of that relationship that is also runnin. Do you hear me! I am runnin. This man was deeper than all those rapper put together.
@BarbaraKBYE
Brutal. Honest. Beautiful. Poetry.
@SIGHBOY6
aw man RIP . this is one of my favorites of his. I need to check out some of his older stuff tho this album is all i know of him.
@ericamcgee6376
I love this!!
@StefanDowsing
Music is a journey.