Currently, the group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson. Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson joined the band following the death of original bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999.
While Blues Traveler is best known among fans for their improvisational live shows, the general public is most familiar with the group from their Top 40 singles "Run-Around" and "Hook". They gained mainstream popularity after their fourth studio album four, released in 1994. Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity put a damper on the group's success, and A&M dropped the band in 2002.
Run-Around
Blues Traveler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I woke with something in my head
I couldn't escape the memory
Of a phone call and of what you said
Like a game show contestant with a parting gift
I could not believe my eyes
When I saw through the thoughts of a trusted friend
And I'll lie too and say I don't mind
And as we seek so shall we find
And when you're feeling open I'll still be here
But not without a certain degree of fear
Well, what will be with you and me
I still can see things hopefully
But you
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up?
When all it does is slow me down
Shake me and my confidence
About a great many things
But I've been there I can see it cower
Like a nervous magician waiting in the wings
Of a bad play where the heroes are right
And nobody thinks or expects too much
And Hollywood's calling for the movie rights
Singing "Hey babe, let's keep in touch", hey baby, let's keep in touch
But I want more than a touch I want you to reach me
And show me all the things no one else can see
So what you feel becomes mine as well
And soon if we're lucky we'd be unable to tell
What's yours and mine, the fishing's fine
And it doesn't have to rhyme, so don't you feed me a line
But you
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up?
When all it does is slow me down
Tra la la la la bombardier, this is the pilot speaking
I've got some news for you
It seems my ship still stands no matter what you drop
And there ain't a whole lot that you can do
Oh sure the banner may be torn and the wind's gotten colder
Perhaps I've grown a little cynical
But I know no matter what the waitress brings
I shall drink it and always be full, yeah I will drink it and always be full
Oh I like coffee and I like tea
I'd like to be able to enter a final plea
I still got this dream that you just can't shake
I love you to the point you can no longer take
Well all right okay, so be that way
I hope and pray that there's something left to say
But you
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up
When all it does is slow me down?
Oh you
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up
When all it does is slow me down?
The song "Run Around" by Blues Traveler is about feeling frustrated and confused by someone who is playing games with the singer's emotions. The song begins with a reference to a restless night, where the singer is haunted by memories of a phone call and something that was said. The lyrics then reference a game show contestant who cannot believe what they see, which may be a metaphor for the singer's disbelief at the situation they find themselves in. The line "who needs to humor me and tell me lies" suggests that someone close to the singer may be feeding them untruths about their romantic relationship.
The singer then distances themselves from the situation, claiming that they do not mind the games being played and that they will be there for the person when they are ready to be open. However, the singer is not without fear, indicating that they are aware of the potential for disappointment. The lyrics express the singer's desire for a genuine connection, where they can share their emotions and be truly understood. The chorus, which repeats the line "why you wanna give me a run-around" emphasizes the singer's frustration with the situation and their desire for clarity and sincerity.
The song also contains references to Hollywood and show business, suggesting a connection between the singer's romantic struggles and the artifice of the entertainment industry. The line "the fishing's fine and it doesn't have to rhyme" suggests a desire for simplicity and authenticity in a world where everything is often overproduced and artificial. The final verse features a reference to the pilot of a plane, indicating a sense of control and stability in the face of confusion and uncertainty.
Overall, "Run Around" by Blues Traveler is a song about the struggle to find real connection and meaning in a world of superficiality and game-playing.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, once upon a midnight eerie
Late at night, I found myself unable to stop thinking
I woke with something in my head
I couldn't shake a memory from my mind
I couldn't escape the memory
The memory was haunting me
Of a phone call and of what you said
I couldn't forget what you told me on the phone
Like a game show contestant with a parting gift
I was in disbelief, like a game show contestant winning a prize
I could not believe my eyes
I was in shock
When I saw through the thoughts of a trusted friend
I realized my friend was lying to me
Who needs to humor me and tell me lies, yeah humor me and tell me lies
My friend was trying to be nice, but it wasn't helpful
And I'll lie too and say I don't mind
I pretended to be okay with the situation
And as we seek so shall we find
We will find what we are looking for
And when you're feeling open I'll still be here
I will be here for you when you are ready to talk
But not without a certain degree of fear
I am afraid of what you might say
Well, what will be with you and me
I wonder what will happen between us
I still can see things hopefully
I am optimistic about our future
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Why are you avoiding me?
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up?
Are you trying to rush through this?
When all it does is slow me down
It's only making things worse
Shake me and my confidence
You are making me doubt myself
About a great many things
About many different things
But I've been there I can see it cower
I have experienced this before
Like a nervous magician waiting in the wings
Like a performer backstage waiting to go on
Of a bad play where the heroes are right
Of a situation with no real heroes
And nobody thinks or expects too much
Where nobody expects greatness
And Hollywood's calling for the movie rights
Even Hollywood is interested in this story
Singing "Hey babe, let's keep in touch", hey baby, let's keep in touch
Asking to stay in contact
But I want more than a touch I want you to reach me
I want a deeper connection with you
And show me all the things no one else can see
I want you to reveal your true self to me
So what you feel becomes mine as well
I want to understand your feelings
And soon if we're lucky we'd be unable to tell
We will be so close that we won't be able to tell where one person ends and the other begins
What's yours and mine, the fishing's fine
We will be completely connected
And it doesn't have to rhyme, so don't you feed me a line
We don't have to pretend, just be honest with me
Tra la la la la bombardier, this is the pilot speaking
Starting a new section of the song, with nonsensical lyrics
I've got some news for you
Continuing the nonsensical lyrics
It seems my ship still stands no matter what you drop
I am unaffected by any criticism or challenges
And there ain't a whole lot that you can do
There's nothing you can do to bring me down
Oh sure the banner may be torn and the wind's gotten colder
Even though things may be difficult
Perhaps I've grown a little cynical
I may have become cynical and jaded
But I know no matter what the waitress brings
No matter what life brings me
I shall drink it and always be full, yeah I will drink it and always be full
I will be satisfied with what I have
Oh I like coffee and I like tea
More nonsensical lyrics
I'd like to be able to enter a final plea
Continuing the nonsensical lyrics
I still got this dream that you just can't shake
I still have this intense desire
I love you to the point you can no longer take
I love you more than you can handle
Well all right okay, so be that way
Okay, I'll accept that
I hope and pray that there's something left to say
I hope we can still communicate
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Repeating the chorus
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up
Repeating the chorus
When all it does is slow me down?
Repeating the chorus
Oh you
Repeating the chorus
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Repeating the chorus
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up
Repeating the chorus
When all it does is slow me down?
Repeating the chorus
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: John C. Popper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind