Not Running Anymore
Bon Jovi Lyrics


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Bless me father I have sinned
I'm not sure where to begin
I won't name names or where I've been
But I've been there and back again
No Hail Marys will save me
You learned to live with memories
Here, slip this C-note up your sleeve
Just stay inside until I leave

I've been running, always running
Never have both feet on the floor
I've been running, always running
Now I'm not running any more

The hands of time may tick no more
Let darkness fall upon this door
No waves will wash up on this shore
I won the fight but lost the war

I've been running, always running
Never had both feet on the floor
And I've been running, always running
Now I ain't running anymore

There were roses I have loved
Who've given or have given up
I pushed your patience and my luck
It wasn't love I didn't trust
It wasn't you, or me, or us
You've shouldered ifs, and ends, and buts
It's that way okay, I've said too much
But I've been running, always running
Never had both feet on the floor




I've been running, always running
Now I ain't running anymore

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Bon Jovi's "Not Running Anymore" paint a picture of a person seeking absolution for their past sins. The singer confesses that they have been to dark places and have made mistakes but they can't even bring themselves to disclose what they have done. They offer a bribe in the form of a "C-note" to the priest to keep their confession between them. They talk of living with memories which suggests that they might be burdened by guilt and regret.


The chorus establishes a theme of running from something; the singer has been running their whole life and has never been able to stand still, put both feet on the floor, or face their problems. The impact of this lifestyle isn't specified but the implication is that it has taken its toll in some way. The second verse talks about the consequences of this behaviour; the singer notes that they may have lost friends or loved ones because they have burned bridges or pushed people away. The line "it wasn't love I didn't trust, it wasn't you, or me, or us" might suggest that the singer lacks the capacity for intimacy or connection with others.


The final line of the song's chorus is the key to the message Bon Jovi's trying to convey: "Now I ain't running anymore". The singer is finally ready to face whatever it is that has been driving them their whole life. They are ready to change, to stop running from their past or their pain, and to confront it head-on. The song is about coming to terms with who you are and what you've done while still having hope for a better future.


Line by Line Meaning

Bless me father I have sinned
I am confessing to you, even though I am not sure where to start.


I'm not sure where to begin
I am admitting that I am at a loss on how to start confessing.


I won't name names or where I've been
I will not disclose the people or places involved in my wrongdoings.


But I've been there and back again
It is true that I have gone through those experiences and have come out of it.


No Hail Marys will save me
No amount of prayers or repentance can save me from the consequences of my actions.


You learned to live with memories
You have learned to accept the memories of your experiences no matter how good or bad.


Here, slip this C-note up your sleeve
Take this money from me as a bribe, and keep it hidden until I leave.


Just stay inside until I leave
Please wait indoors for me to leave after I have made my confession.


The hands of time may tick no more
Time may seem to stop in this moment because of the gravity of the situation.


Let darkness fall upon this door
The weight of this confession may bring a sense of darkness or foreboding to this place.


No waves will wash up on this shore
The repercussions of my actions will leave a lasting impact on this place.


I won the fight but lost the war
I might have succeeded in the short term, but the cost of those actions has had long term consequences.


There were roses I have loved
There were people or things that I cherished and valued in my life.


Who've given or have given up
Some of these people or things were lost or given up along the way.


I pushed your patience and my luck
I have tested the limits of other people's patience and my own luck with my actions.


It wasn't love I didn't trust
It wasn't that I didn't trust love, but rather I didn't trust myself or others to be able to handle love.


It wasn't you, or me, or us
It wasn't anyone's fault in particular that things happened the way they did.


You've shouldered ifs, and ends, and buts
You have had to bear the burden of uncertainty and indecision in this situation.


It's that way okay, I've said too much
I am acknowledging that I might have shared more than necessary and apologizing for it.


But I've been running, always running
I have been continuously moving forward, both literally and figuratively, in my life.


Never had both feet on the floor
I have never felt grounded or fully present in the moment.


Now I ain't running anymore
I have reached a point in my life where I am no longer fleeing my past or my problems.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JON BON JOVI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Teri11215

What a beautiful song, I think we can all relate to this song.  Definitely had my years of running, mostly in my teens and 20's, never really was sure what I wanted.  Sad part is I still don't know what the hell I want out of life, just to live is fine with me.

@nikoivkovic7397

Hey Teri! I get what You mean. It's all so interesting to explore life, isn't it? Maybe not finding is fine, because exploring is the purpose. How is it now 4 years later? Just wanna know what's up :)

@djdren

i over 50 and still dont have a clue what i wanted in life.. just live day by day ..

@elisangelabongiovi6300

Bon Jovi sempre será bom em tudo que faz *-*

@aishacampbellsloan5337

Ele é maravilhoso não é?!

@Luizviniciuz

é como se ele pudesse ler a mente, alma da gente. não consigo parar de ouvir.

@cristytayag4886

Rock or slow,I always love Jon's music! This one is full of soul!

@linquty

🖤

@LoveBongiovic

This man has saved my life.

@georgemealy75

he didnt just save my life he made me his first album sliipery wen wet moulded me to the person i am today the whole band are a once in a life time thing 
if u didnt get it u just wont  
i no every single word to every single song 
everthing was about his wife  and ritchis skills but even he saw wat wat jon was and that made him even better im gettin married this year 
all i beg from god is them to turn up like the oldin days broke desperate and at their best and play 5 songs ill get a loan from the bank lol
i tried their website but u need pay first  hate it im their biggist fan ill have to pay a tribute band  pretend sing my self hhaa

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