In the Fall of 2011, Braxton transferred from Georgetown University, where he studied English, to the prestigious Juilliard School on the Illinois Jacquet Scholarship to hone his skills as a jazz saxophonist. Since his transition, he was fortunate to share the stage with Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste and Christian Scott. Most recently, Braxton became the newest member of trumpeter Christian Scott's band. He toured nationally with his group and in the Fall of 2012 went on a 3 week international tour with the Christian Scott Sextet as well. This allowed him to see the world for the fist time and gave him an invaluable learning experience. He was also selected as a semi-finalist in the 2013 Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition, the most prestigious and competitive jazz competition in the world.
On January 23, 2014, Cook released his innovative EP entitled Sketch. This EP is five tracks of soulful, contemporary jazz, with an R&B twist. The product of an academic household, intellectual curiosity has always impacted the way Cook approaches life and music. With southern family roots, blues, gospel, and soul have played a large role in his upbringing, and this is reflected in his new EP that merges prophetic thought, personal spirituality, and an emotion-filled music assessable to all. “I want people to feel something, when they hear my music,” Cook says. I want people to understand the elasticity of jazz and how it incorporates elements of other musical styles, while still maintaining its inherent qualities.”
Run Away
Braxton Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How do you keep love from falling apart?
A love so surreal
A love so good
Wanna close this distance
I wish I could
Let′s leave it all behind
In three months time, I'll be home
A thousand miles away
But I′ll be here to stay
Cuz sometimes we need to run
Away, away, away
Can we run away?
To someplace far away
Just you and me?
Can we run away?
Can we run away?
To someplace far away?
Just you and me
Can we run away?
In Braxton Cook's "Run Away," the lyrics depict a yearning desire to escape with a significant other to some distant and isolated place. The song explores the insecurities and difficulties present in long-distance relationships. The lyrics reflect the challenge of maintaining love when separated by distance, and how at times, the only way to reconcile the longing for a relationship is to "run away" and be together. The lyrics "Here all alone, how do you keep love from falling apart?" speak to the feeling of isolation that distance brings and the difficulty of maintaining a relationship without physical proximity.
The line "A love so surreal, a love so good" highlights the sentimental and dreamlike state of being in love with someone. The singer feels an incredible connection to their significant other, which they do not want to lose, stating "Wanna close this distance, I wish I could." This line further emphasizes the emotional pain and frustration of physical separation from someone you love. The chorus then repeats the question "Can we run away to someplace far away, just you and me?" illustrating the desire to escape and be together, away from the burdens of distance and everyday life.
The song's theme of wanting to escape for love and the sentimentality behind it is a relatable experience for many listeners. It is a reminder of the power of love and the lengths people are willing to go to preserve it. Ultimately, "Run Away" is a beautiful reminder that love transcends distance.
Line by Line Meaning
Here all alone
Beginning the song by setting the lonely tone and setting the stage for the singer's message.
How do you keep love from falling apart?
Asking a rhetorical question about the difficulty of maintaining a loving relationship.
A love so surreal
Describing the singer's love as extraordinary and otherworldly.
A love so good
Affirming the singer's love as pure and true.
Wanna close this distance
Expressing the desire to be closer to the person the singer loves.
I wish I could
Admitting that the singer is unable to overcome the physical distance that separates them from their loved one.
Let's leave it all behind
Proposing the idea that the two should run away together and start anew without any of the issues that plague their current situation.
In three months time, I'll be home
Giving a timeframe for the artist's return and providing hope for a future together.
Just you and I
Affirming that the two lovers will be together.
A thousand miles away
Emphasizing the physical distance that separates the two lovers.
But I'll be here to stay
A commitment to the relationship despite the distance, reaffirming that the singer will be around for the long haul.
Cuz sometimes we need to run
A justification for the decision to run away, acknowledging that sometimes drastic action is necessary for love to survive.
Away, away, away
Repeating the refrain to emphasize the idea of escaping and starting anew.
Can we run away?
Posing the question to the lover, asking if they are willing to make the leap and start over together.
To someplace far away
Specifically requesting a destination that is far from their current situation.
Just you and me?
Reiterating that it will be just the two of them on this journey.
Can we run away?
Repeating the question to emphasize the urgency and importance of the decision.
To someplace far away?
Asking again for the specific desire to leave their current situation far behind.
Just you and me
Stressing that the two of them will face this journey together and will need each other every step of the way.
Can we run away?
The final plea for the lover to take the chance and start a new adventure together.
Writer(s): Braxton Earl Cook
Contributed by Levi K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.