Singer / songwriter / bassist Napolitano formed the band Dream 6 with guitarist James Mankey in Los Angeles in 1982, releasing an eponymous EP in France on the Happy Hermit label in 1983. When they signed with IRS in 1986, labelmate Michael Stipe suggested the name Concrete Blonde, describing the contrast between their hard rock music and introspective lyrics. They were joined by drummer Harry Rushakoff on their eponymous debut album. Roxy Music drummer Paul Thompson replaced Rushakoff on Bloodletting and several tracks on Mexican Moon, while Rushakoff was in treatment for drug addiction. Rushakoff was kicked out of the band in 2002 for failing to show up for several rehearsals and shows. He was replaced by Gabriel Ramirez.
Their most popular album was 1990's Bloodletting. The band broke up in 1995, but reunited in 2001, releasing Group Therapy in 2002 and Mojave in 2004.
Run Run Run
Concrete Blonde Lyrics
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You get tossed
You go running around
Until you know you're gonna fall off
He knows what you need he, knows how much, how much you want
Knock familiar,
Welcome in,
Introduce you as a friend.
But you're always polite
In case you need him again
No not again,
No not again.
Can't believe the way I see you
Run, run, run,
Can't believe the way you bleed when you
Run, run, run,
Are you having fun?
Run-
Hands are shaking. lips are cracked
You swore (I heard you swear) that you were
Never coming back, but
One more time. just one more night
And once again, you lost the fight
Fight
So fight a little harder now.
Can't believe the way you bleed when you
Run, run, run
Can't believe the way you need to
Run, run, run
Are you still as young as you started
When you started to run?
Can't believe the way I see you
Run, run, run,
Can't believe the way you bleed when you
Run, run, run,
Are you having fun?
Run, run, run,
'Till you drop.
The song "Run Run Run" by Concrete Blonde is a haunting observation of someone caught in the cycle of addiction - specifically, a drug addict. The first verse describes the addict as being in a constant state of chaos, going crazy and running around until they're about to "fall off". The second verse is directed at the person who is enabling the addict - "He knows what you need, he knows how much you want", implying that this person is giving the addict drugs or money to buy drugs. Despite the danger and harm this person is inflicting on themselves by associating with the addict, they remain polite and friendly in case they need to come back for more.
The chorus, "Can't believe the way you bleed when you run, run, run", paints a vivid picture of how the addict is self-destructing through their addiction. The imagery of bleeding suggests that the addict is hurting themselves physically, while the repetition of "run, run, run" reinforces the idea that the person is constantly in motion, chasing the high that their drug provides. The bridge of the song shows the physical toll that drug addiction takes on the body, with shaking hands and cracked lips. The addict has sworn to quit before but always ends up giving in "just one more time", unable to resist the pull of addiction.
Ultimately, the song is a plea for the addict to fight harder and break out of the cycle before it's too late. The final lines, "'Till you drop", carry a somber note of finality, suggesting that if the addict doesn't get help soon, they may go too far and suffer permanent consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
You go crazy
You become frantic and erratic
You get tossed
You become unsettled and disorientated
You go running around
You become restless and start moving aimlessly
Until you know you're gonna fall off
Until you reach a point of exhaustion or collapse
He knows what you need he, knows how much, how much you want
He understands your needs and desires
Knock familiar,
A familiar knock at your door
Welcome in,
Welcoming someone inside
Can't believe that you let him
Surprised that you allowed him to enter
Introduce you as a friend.
Introducing someone as a friend
But you're always polite
You are always courteous and respectful
In case you need him again
As a precautionary measure in case you require his services again
No not again,
Not wanting to repeat a past experience
Can't believe the way I see you
Unable to comprehend how you are behaving
Run, run, run,
Running as fast as you can
Can't believe the way you bleed when you
Shocked at how much damage you are causing yourself
Are you having fun?
Questioning whether you are enjoying this self-destructive behavior
Hands are shaking. lips are cracked
Experiencing physical symptoms of your self-destructive behavior
You swore (I heard you swear) that you were Never coming back, but
Making promises to yourself but breaking them repeatedly
One more time. just one more night
Continuing to engage in the harmful behavior despite the known consequences
And once again, you lost the fight
Failing to overcome the addiction or destructive behavior
Fight
The struggle to overcome the addiction or destructive behavior
So fight a little harder now.
Trying to increase your efforts to overcome the addiction or destructive behavior
Can't believe the way you need to
Surprised by the intensity of your addiction or destructive behavior
Are you still as young as you started
Questioning the longevity of your addiction or destructive behavior
When you started to run?
When you first began engaging in the self-destructive behavior
Run-
Continuing to run and engage in the self-destructive behavior
Till you drop.
Continuing to engage in the self-destructive behavior until you collapse or are unable to continue
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNETTE LIN NAPOLITANO, JIM MANKEY, HARRY RUSHAKOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind