She is the daughte… Read Full Bio ↴Alice Russell (b. 1975) is a British soul singer.
She is the daughter of an organist, and grew up in Framlingham in Suffolk. At the age of nine, following in her father's and sisters' musical footsteps, Russell began taking lessons on cello, and sang in choirs, before studying art and music in Brighton from 1994.
As well as the classical influences of her father, and formal music lessons, Russell listened to gospel music and soul artists such as Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin from an early age, which played a big part in the shaping of her style. Other artists such as Minnie Ripperton, Eva Cassidy, Chaka Khan, and Jill Scott are listed by Russell as influences.
She began making a name for herself in the early 2000s, contributing to recordings by Bah Samba, Quantic, TM Juke, Kushti and Nostalgia 77. Her work with Bah Samba sees Russell fusing Latin sounds with tinges of house, jazz and funk, whereas her material with the band Kushti involved a more laid back, hip-hop and soul inspired sound. Her debut album, Under the Munka Moon (2004), was an amalgamation of various singles, remixes, and collaborations.
It was followed by My Favourite Letters in 2005, her debut studio album, created in collaboration with co-writer, producer, and guitarist Alex Cowan (a.k.a. TM Juke). Her third release, Under the Munka Moon II (2006), compiled her most recent collaborations, remixes, and cover versions, including her popular interpretation of The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army. The Alice Russell – Live in Paris DVD also came out in 2006.
Russell and TM Juke have been touring together since 2006 in the U.K, Europe, Australia, the U.S., and other countries. In summer 2006, Grant Marshall (a.k.a. Daddy G of Massive Attack) asked Russell to play the main stage at The Big Chill music festival. Russell has also supported Lonnie Liston Smith, Femi Kuti and De La Soul, and has appeared on the bill with Amy Winehouse for the British showcase at the Midem Music Conference in Cannes 2007.
Turn and Run
Alice Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the very sound like the kicking of time
I look around and the stakes are high
I want to struggle but I wait in line
So turn, run
Now I'm back and I'm lost in a dream
I had a week in a single day
I lost my feet now, I'm floating down stream
So what am I supposed to think?
With every step I take I'm starting to shrink
Open my mouth but I don't hear the screams
Where am I? What am I?
Tell me what you're gonna do?
Turn and run, run, run
Run if you dare, run, run
Can't turn around, run, run
Run all alone, run, run
What am I supposed to feel?
How am I supposed to think?
How is it that your okay?
Why don't you feel like me?
What am I supposed to feel?
How am I supposed to think?
How is it that your okay?
Why don't you feel like me?
Turn and run
I got treacle sliding through my veins
And my bones start to rattle and quake
And someone else there is tugging the reins
But I just can't see who's pulling at me
Seems everyone can be bought or sold
Poor as a beggar on a pot of gold
I haunt myself for eternity
So why can't you see? I cannot see
Tell me what you're gonna do?
I'm gonna turn and run, run, run
Run if you dare, run, run
I can't turn around, run, run
I run all alone, run, run
Run if you dare, run, run
Can't turn around, run, run
I run all alone, run, run
I'm gonna turn and run, turn and run
Alice Russell's song Turn and Run reflects on the feelings of being lost, stuck, and overwhelmed in life. The first verse of the song describes the feeling of time passing by quickly, and how easy it is to feel helpless in the face of high stakes situations. The chorus emphasizes the need to break free from stagnation and take action, even if it means running away. The second verse has a dreamlike quality to it, suggesting a feeling of disorientation and detachment from reality. The repeated questions "What am I supposed to feel? How am I supposed to think?" highlight the confusion and uncertainty that can arise when life feels out of control. The third verse points out the feeling of being pulled in different directions and the sense that everyone can be bought or sold in some way, leading to feelings of haunting and eternal struggle. The final chorus reinforces the idea that sometimes the best course of action is to turn and run, even if it means running alone.
Overall, Turn and Run is a powerful song that encapsulates the feelings of loss, confusion, and the need for action when life can seem overwhelming.
Line by Line Meaning
I can hear life passing me by
I'm aware that time is moving quickly and I'm not doing enough with my life
It's the very sound like the kicking of time
I hear time passing like a clock ticking, reminding me of how much time I'm wasting
I look around and the stakes are high
I see that there are high expectations and competition around me
I want to struggle but I wait in line
I want to put up a fight but I feel stuck waiting for a chance to do so
So turn, run
I feel like the only way out is to leave and escape from my problems
Now I'm back and I'm lost in a dream
I'm lost in my own thoughts and imagination, detached from reality
I had a week in a single day
I experienced so much in a short amount of time that it felt like a whole week
I lost my feet now, I'm floating down stream
I'm losing control and being carried away by life
Far off to sea, are you following me?
I'm unsure of where I'm headed and if anyone is there to support me
So what am I supposed to think?
I'm confused and don't know what to believe anymore
With every step I take I'm starting to shrink
The more I struggle, the smaller and weaker I feel
Open my mouth but I don't hear the screams
I'm trying to speak out and be heard but no one is listening
Where am I? What am I?
I'm lost and questioning my own identity
Tell me what you're gonna do?
I'm asking for advice or direction from anyone who will listen
Turn and run, run, run
The only answer I see is to run away from my problems
Run if you dare, run, run
I'm challenging myself to take a risk and run away from everything
Can't turn around, run, run
I feel like there's no going back, so I have to keep running forward
Run all alone, run, run
I don't have anyone to rely on, so I have to run away by myself
I got treacle sliding through my veins
I feel slow and heavy, like I'm stuck in thick syrup
And my bones start to rattle and quake
I'm anxious and scared, to the point where my body is physically shaking
And someone else there is tugging the reins
I feel like someone else is controlling my life and pulling me in different directions
But I just can't see who's pulling at me
I don't know who or what is in control of my life
Seems everyone can be bought or sold
I'm losing faith in people and feel like everyone has a price
Poor as a beggar on a pot of gold
I feel like I have nothing despite being surrounded by wealth and opportunity
I haunt myself for eternity
I can't escape from my own thoughts and regrets
So why can't you see? I cannot see
I don't understand why other people don't see what I'm going through, and I can't see a way out
I'm gonna turn and run, run, run
In the end, I feel like the only choice I have is to run away and start fresh
Writer(s): Alice Emily Russell, Alex Cowan Copyright: Five Missions More
Contributed by Jeremiah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.