Run Around
Blues Traveler Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, once upon a midnight eerie
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
Who needs to humor me and tell me lies, yeah humor me and tell me lies

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?

Overall Meaning

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
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Comments from YouTube:

@whatever

Crazy to think this song came out over 20 years ago

@thomasponzio8345

yup 1995 top 10 pop hit

@WilMcCandlish

Yep, girl refused entry to the bar because she was born in 1974. She would have been 20 when this was released. She is 43 now...

@suzy9502

hi

@randigordey5398

something like that

@rebjiii

makes me feel old......great song and an excellent video

91 More Replies...

@chaotic_mood5635

I remember when my dad used to play this for me, just the main strumming pattern, and sing the abc's song to me in time with the melody. When he showed me the actual song, I was blown away and loved it as a kid, and now I'm 19, trying to learn this on the guitar for him to surprise him soon. I love you dad ❤

@patriciathomas1903

John Popper was a student of mine at Princeton High School, and his music was already cooking then! I'm glad his band has been so successful! Patricia Thomas

@wyattstevens8574

Awesome!

@kurtissjacobs5618

Did you teach him anything about music? I assume yes, because a high schooler can't know it all, so...do you hear any of what he learned in your class in his music? That would be awesome.

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