The song has a very strong message and a personal link to Kállay: "I wrote this song about a childhood friend of mine, and people I have met with similar stories throughout my life. Unfortunately my friend was victim to child abuse, domestic violence. I wrote this song about their experiences and everything that they went though. I would like to raise awareness to this topic."
András Kállay-Saunders was born on January 28, 1985 in New York City to Hungarian model Katalin Kállay and American soul-singer and producer Fernando Saunders. Autumn of 2009, Kállay decided to visit Hungary to reunite with his mother as well as spending quality time with his grandmother.
During his visit, he noticed a TV commercial urging talented singers to audition for the nation’s talent competition Megasztár. Kállay finished fourth in the contest but gained a life-changing experience. He realised the doors were opened toward making a life-long dream come true with hard work and dedication. He went on to sign with Universal and permanently resided in Hungary.
Climbing to the top
In 2012, Kállay entered the Hungarian Eurovision national selection show A Dal, but he unfortunately came short of the finals. During this competition, he developed a pride towards one day bringing the big stage to the country that opened doors to his dream. In 2013 he entered A Dal again with his single My Baby and reached 2nd place. He still had the desire to represent Hungary in Eurovision and wasn’t going to give up trying just yet. While having many songs to his arsenal, Kállay felt it was time to show Hungary a deeper song and chose to send Running, a song inspired by a childhood friend, who grew up dealing with domestic violence and child abuse. Kállay wanted to give children and people in this situation hope. After great success throughout, Kállay ended the competition with the dream of showcasing his talents throughout Europe by representing Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest coming true. He enjoys this accomplishment with a great deal of gratitude for his family, friends, fans, peers, and Hungary for the love and support that helped him along the way.
Running
András Kállay-Saunders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every night
This Pain don't ever leave her life
Daddy's home
So she tries to hide
She calls for Mom
But never a reply
she's all alone
Daddy why why why
Leave me alone
She calls for help
She calls for help
But no one seems to care
She calls for help but no one seems to care
She keeps on running running running
from this crazy life
She keeps on running running running
Never sees the Light
I can see the angels standing by your side
it'll be alright
She's back again
Just one more time
Just wants to see her mother smile
She can't forget
Her only child
Mama let the devil in her house
She cries cries cries
she's all alone
Daddy why why why
Leave me alone
She calls for help
She calls for help
But no one seems to care
She calls for help but no one seems to care
She keeps on running running running
from this crazy life
She keeps on running running running
Never sees the Light
I can see the angels standing by your side
it'll be alright
She cries cries cries
Daddy why why why
she keeps on running running running
from this crazy life
keeps on running running
oh oh ohhhh
it'll be alright
The lyrics of András Kállay-Saunders's song Running paint a vivid and heartbreaking picture of a young girl's struggle with abuse and trauma. The opening lines of "silent cries every night" set the tone for the rest of the song, as we learn that this pain is a constant part of her life. She tries to hide from her father, but her mother is nowhere to be found to help her. The chorus repeats her cries for help, highlighting the theme of isolation and neglect.
The second verse brings up the girl's mother, who has also been affected by the abuse in their home. The lyrics "she can't forget her only child, mama let the devil in her house" shines a light on the complex dynamics of domestic abuse, as even the ones who are being abused can become perpetrators. The repeated line "it'll be alright" provides a glimmer of hope in an otherwise very dark narrative.
Overall, the lyrics of Running can be interpreted as a call for help on behalf of those who are suffering in situations of domestic violence and abuse. The repetition of the girl's calls for help and the lack of response from others emphasize the importance of not turning a blind eye.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent cries
Her cries for help are silent and go unheard.
Every night
The pain and loneliness is a constant every night.
This Pain don't ever leave her life
The pain is a never-ending part of her life.
Daddy's home
Her father is home, but he is not a safe person for her.
So she tries to hide
She tries to hide from her abusive father.
She calls for Mom
She reaches out to her mother for help.
But never a reply
Her mother doesn't respond to her cries for help.
She's all alone
She is completely alone and without support.
Daddy why why why
She questions why her father would treat her this way.
Leave me alone
She pleads with her father to leave her alone.
She calls for help
She continues to call for help in her desperation.
But no one seems to care
No one seems to care or want to help her.
She keeps on running running running
She tries to escape from her painful life by running away.
from this crazy life
She is running away from a life that is driving her crazy.
Never sees the Light
She cannot see a way out of her suffering.
I can see the angels standing by your side
Despite her pain, there are still good things in her life.
it'll be alright
Things will eventually get better for her.
Just one more time
She wants to see her mother one more time, hoping for help or comfort.
Just wants to see her mother smile
She wants to see her mother happy and wants to feel loved.
She can't forget
The pain and trauma she has experienced cannot be forgotten.
Her only child
She is the only child her mother has left to care for.
Mama let the devil in her house
Her mother allowed the abusive father to come into their home and hurt her.
oh oh ohhhh
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the desperation and pain she is feeling.
Contributed by Lincoln B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@RiseoutProductions
This song should be the Winner
@pumkinlife5795
👼Yes ur right this song is amazing why didn't the people understand that this song is againts home violence. Don't they kcnow its hurtful👼
@marktarkany8490
Riseout Productions Yes
@geminix365
1200th like
@Wolfy-cd2we
no Austria won
@marius8014
This is so sad, but i can't stop to listen to it...
@balintmolnar8663
I'm so proud that I am Hungarian :)
This song is catchy, modern and its message is very important.
Absolutely stunning performance! Good luck to András :)
@3diastatos132
Still love it!
Best Hungarian performance ever!
From Greece!
@michalistolmidis
+PANagioT!$ etsi
@freekade1ka
PiTiGi ESC still its true