Born Christopher Dotson on October 21, 1989, the Toledo, Ohio native moved to Minneapolis, MN at the age of 10, later attending the High School for Recording Arts before graduating at the age of 17 in 2007.
After posting music on numerous blog sites Chrishan was discovered in 2008 by current business manager Delmar Powell (Universal Motown), later to form Hit Republic Music LLC. Chrishan released his debut single "2 Late 4 Us" independently in 2008, selling 4500 copies the first week, followed by an independent album in 2009.
Later that year, Chrishan began writing in-house for Atlantic Records, and signed a major licensing deal with MTV Networks & Viacom. Shortly thereafter, he was featured on MTV's 'Taking The Stage' 14 times, as well as other major networks, thus signing to Star Base Music, a major record label based in Japan.
Chrishan released his Japan debut, "Heart Of A Lion," in May 2011 which charted at #3 championed by 3 Top 10 singles including "Olly Olly" feat. Krys Ivory, "Here On Earth" feat. Che'Nelle, & "Hold On", a Japan relief song which charted #1.
Since the release of his album, Chrishan's "Do It Better" was featured in the MTV movie "Worst. Prom. Ever." and VH1's "Single Ladies." Chrishan is set to release his new mixtape "Money & Liquor" this June. and his third LP in September.
Running On Empty
Chrishan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lightning, dark skies open your eyes. Run to me like you never did before. Rain drops falling, hear you calling. Run to you like I never did before. 'Cause I don't care if there's nobody out there, don't care if it's cloudy out there. Promise to find you baby, and when I find you...
Chorus
Hold on to me, I'll never leave. 'Cause we can't keep on running on empty, keep on running. Hold on to me, if you believe. We can conquer this whole world together, conquer this whole world together baby.
(Ohh) ohh
(Ohh) ohh
(Ohh)
Verse 2 (girl)
Time goes slowly, feel so lonely. Gotta see your face like I never have before. No sleep at night, with out you by my side. Gotta feel your touch like I never have before. 'Cause I don't care if it's cloudy out there, don't care if it's lonely out there. Long as I find you baby, and when I find you...
Chorus
Hold on to me, I'll never leave. 'cause we can't keep on running on empty, keep on running. Hold on to me, if you believe 'Cause we can conquer this whole world together, conquer this whole world together baby.
(Ohh) ohh
(Ohh) ohh
Yeah yeah yeah
(Ohh)
Verse 3 (both)
Can you run baby like you never run before, run baby like you never run before, run baby like you never run before... Ore... Ore... Ore... Hey! Can you run baby like you never run before, run baby like you never run before, run baby like you never run before. (yeah).
Chorus
Hold on to me I'll never leave. 'Cause we can't keep running on empty, keep on running. Hold on to me (Chrishan: hold on to me), if you believe (girl: if you believe). 'Cause we can conquer this whole world together, conquer this whole world together baby.
Chrishan: baby
(Ohh)
Girl: no ohh
(Ohh)
Both: oh yeah yeah
Bridge (both)
Can you run baby like you never run before, run baby like you never run before, run baby like you never run before.
The song "Running on Empty" by Chrishan talks about two individuals who are going through a tough time in their lives but find solace in each other's presence. The first verse starts with a comparison of the weather to their current situation, where there are dark skies and raindrops falling. The use of lightning in the verse could symbolize the fleeting moment which they are trying to catch. The two individuals are yearning for each other, and this is reinforced with the repetition in their lines "Run to me like you never did before" and "Run to you like I never did before."
In the second verse, the girl describes how she feels lonely without her significant other, and she needs to see their face and feel their touch. The lines "No sleep at night, without you by my side" furthers emphasize their deep connection. The chorus then appears as a resolution to their pain, where the two individuals promise to be there for each other and work through any difficulties together.
The bridge further cements how both individuals need each other's support, culminating in the repetition of the phrase, "run baby like you never run before." The song's message is about how no matter how hard life gets, one can always find solace in the person they love, and with their support, they can conquer anything.
Line by Line Meaning
Lightning, dark skies open your eyes.
The situation is intense and alarming, but you should focus and be aware of what's happening.
Run to me like you never did before.
Come to me with all your heart and energy, as if this is the first time connecting with me.
Rain drops falling, hear you calling.
Even in the midst of chaos and distress, I can still hear your voice and respond to you.
Run to you like I never did before.
I am ready to put in more effort and dedication to be with you, even if that means changing myself.
'Cause I don't care if there's nobody out there, don't care if it's cloudy out there.
I am not concerned about external factors or other people's opinions; I just want to be with you.
Promise to find you baby, and when I find you...
I make a commitment to never give up on seeking and being with you, no matter what.
Hold on to me, I'll never leave.
I will always be there for you, and you can trust me to stay by your side.
'Cause we can't keep on running on empty, keep on running.
We cannot continue with our lives feeling incomplete or unfulfilled; we need to find meaning and purpose together.
Hold on to me, if you believe.
If you have faith in us and our relationship, hold on to me and let's make it work.
We can conquer this whole world together, conquer this whole world together baby.
If we stick together and support each other, we can achieve anything we want and overcome any obstacle in our path.
Time goes slowly, feel so lonely.
Waiting for you to be with me feels like an eternity, and I feel isolated and alone without you.
Gotta see your face like I never have before.
I crave to have a deeper and more meaningful connection with you, to truly understand you and see you for who you are.
No sleep at night, with out you by my side.
The absence of your presence in my life keeps me up at night and makes it difficult for me to rest.
Gotta feel your touch like I never have before.
I want to experience your physical and emotional touch in a new and profound way that I have not before.
Can you run baby like you never run before, run baby like you never run before, run baby like you never run before...
Can you put in more effort, energy, and enthusiasm to be with me, and go on this journey with me together?
Hold on to me (Chrishan: hold on to me), if you believe (girl: if you believe).
We need to hold on to each other and put our trust in this relationship, believing that it can work out.
Contributed by Aria C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anaïss
It’s like I’m living my childhood all over again with these songs 🥺
kim perez
Same
Mk Alshehri
@kim perez that tha .. that song just squeezed my heart
alright Johnny
Its 2020 and i still get the same feeling i had when i first listened to this song 8 years ago
kim perez
Same😱
Nikki Lucila
2022! And im still running to these songs. Nostalgia is real.
R. Urquia
My 9-year girlfriend died yesterday to covid-19. She sang this on short breaths, crying because she's tired to fight the unseen enemy. She died in front of me, knowing that i loved her since the first day that we bumped into each other.
Annie M
Am sorry dear
Menlei Laoum
Feel you..so sorry bro!
alright Johnny
I am really sorry for your loss