Brandon Boyd grew up in Calabasas, California. His parents Dolly and Charles, both of whom had experience in entertainment, had nurtured his creative side since he was a child. He had first met Jose Pasillas in elementary school in the 1980s, but it wasn't until high school that he was asked to join a band that already included Jose, Mike Einziger, and Alex Katunich. Brandon's vocal abilities, which were for the most part self taught (he had taken two lessons before he ran out of money, but he claims he learned everything he would need), proved to be the final essential element for the band. As they developed more and more songs, the band quickly became a popular show around the neighborhood.
When the band decided to play their first show together at a friend's house, the time came to choose a band name. Brandon's suggestion, "Spiral Staircase," was denied in favor of Mike's suggestion, selected at random from a dictionary: Incubus. Brandon put his other artistic talents to good use, drawing concert flyers advertising their early performances. At first, Brandon had copied several drawings from a sex education book that Mike's mother had given them, but he decided to stop using it after several prospective fans had been confused by their flyers ("What kind of band is this?").
His strong voice was part of what attracted Sony's Epic/Immortal Records, and the band signed a deal in 1996. The band's first two releases on label, Enjoy Incubus and S.C.I.E.N.C.E. went largely unnoticed, but subsequent releases Make Yourself and Morning View were huge commercial successes. The band's most recent release, If Not Now, When? has contributed to the continuation of its large success despite the fact that it boasts a new playing style (one that is much more down-tempo) that had not been utilized in the past.
Over the years, Brandon's lyrics have expressed a range of different ideas. His early work, which was often light and playful, was no doubt influenced in part by his use of marijuana. According to Brandon, after smoking his first joint with his older brother Darren, the poetic floodgates had been opened inside of his brain.
His first artistic love, however, remains drawing. Before the band decided to concentrate on music full time, he and Jose had attended Moorpark College full time as art students.
RUNAWAY TRAIN
Brandon Boyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With calamity and me in the corner starting to feel uncomfortable,
Should I douse the spark or fan the flames or merely think of clever things to say?
The more I try to separate, the better it fells to get right in the way.
And I try so hard to get out of the way of that runaway train.
Oh, how I do love the rain.
I tried to run away but they have a talent for making trouble seem enjoyable.
The more I try to separate, the better it fells to get right in the way.
Should I douse the sparks or fan the flames or merely think of clever things to say?
And I try so hard to get out of the way of that runaway train.
Oh, how I do love the rain.
Runaway train
And I try so hard to get out of that runaway train.
Oh, how I do love the rain.
Runaway train
In this song, Brandon Boyd seems to be in the middle of a complicated love triangle along with the future and calamity. He is feeling uncomfortable and uncertain about how to handle the situation; whether to put out the spark or encourage the flame. Despite his attempts to separate himself from the situation, he finds himself drawn in even more. He is torn between being swept away by the powerful emotions and trying to resist them.
The chorus describes his struggle to stay out of harm's way with the metaphor of a runaway train. He is trying so hard to avoid getting caught up in the situation, but he finds himself unable to resist the allure. The rain is another metaphor for the intensity and emotion of the situation, which he seems to love despite the danger it poses.
Overall, the song explores the complexities of love and the difficulty of navigating emotions that can sometimes feel like a runaway train. It showcases Boyd's introspective and poetic lyricism and the band's ability to create a mood and atmosphere through their music.
Line by Line Meaning
Presently, the future is in the middle of a love triangle,
The singer feels like he is in the middle of an uncertain situation with three different paths, one of which is the future. It is like a love triangle where the parties involved (future and his conflicting thoughts) are not clear.
With calamity and me in the corner starting to feel uncomfortable,
The singer is uncomfortable because he is trapped in a corner with the possibility of chaos (calamity) looming over him.
Should I douse the spark or fan the flames or merely think of clever things to say?
Amidst the confusion, the singer is undecided about whether he should put out the fire by ignoring the situation or fan the flames by getting more involved. He might also be thinking of a smart way out.
The more I try to separate, the better it fells to get right in the way.
Whenever he tries to step aside, he finds himself wanting to be involved more. The singer might derive some secret pleasure in prolonging the confusion.
And I try so hard to get out of the way of that runaway train.
The singer wishes to get out of the situation but finds it challenging as it has taken on a life of its own.
Oh, how I do love the rain.
The singer enjoys the cleansing and rejuvenating properties of a good rain. It is a metaphor for the release he wants from the confusion.
Seems to me that being in the middle is starting to get me in trouble.
The singer realizes that being indecisive could cause him unnecessary trouble; he must make up his mind.
I tried to run away but they have a talent for making trouble seem enjoyable.
The singer attempted to withdraw from the situation, but the involvement and the confusion are so compelling, they make even trouble enjoyable.
Runaway train
The metaphorical runaway train that the singer tries to avoid but can't seems to be hurtling towards him at full speed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRANDON BOYD, DAVE MCCRACKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aristamas4196
underrated song. this guy can flat out sing.
@sarahyonker2358
I love this song. My favorite solo track of his.
@ehlirodriguez1369
Such an amazing singer. He’s literally one of my favorite singers of all time.
@TheRNgrl
I literally just discovered this song! I’ve been out of the loop
@organisedchaos8208
@@ehlirodriguez1369 Mine too i learnt to sing from listening to him as a kid. Such a tone.
@jovacullen
I'm obsessed with this song!! Brandon is pure talent
@AP-fg7pq
I love you Brandon Boyd
@eddynoir676
found this song only 13 years, sooo fresh!
@nataliah9479
Still love this song to this day.
@marianafariasolivares941
Obsessed with Brandon, his music, his art ... I love it