Crystal Bowersox is an Ohio Native, but has been playing around the Chicago area since 2004. At the age of ten, her Mom would take her to bars, so she could hear the musicians play. Not long after she began performing around her hometown under the wings of her "gray haired rock stars.".
At 17, Crystal packed up and moved to the big city. She went from singing on subway platforms, to travel across the world in a few short years. In 2006, the city of Chicago department of cultural affairs chose Crystal to represent Chicago's folk music scene in a week long festival called, "Experience Chicago", held in sister city Birmingham, UK.
In 2007, Crystal was once again on the road. In Mexico and in Istanbul, Turkey, she spent time on a small cafe tour.
Crystal's early influences were artists like Jewel, Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan, etc. Later influences include Counting Crows, Bonnie Rait, Tracy Chapman, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Ray Lamontagne, and many others. Crystal even had the opportunity to meet with her strongest influence, Melissa Etheridge in 2008.
Bowersox auditioned in June 2009 for the ninth season of American Idol in Chicago, Illinois, with the song "Piece of My Heart."
On March 2, Bowersox was hospitalized because of complications from diabetes, forcing a last minute switch in scheduling to give her extra time to recuperate. Bowersox confirmed the illness on the May 19th results show during an interview with host Ryan Seacrest. The men competed that day instead of the women. She sang the next day and impressed all the judges.
The following week, her strong performance prompted Simon Cowell to state, "Right now you are the one everyone has to beat."
After Siobhan Magnus's elimination from the top 6 of American Idol, Crystal Bowersox became the last remaining female contestant in the competition.
Crystal is the first female contestant to make it to the finale since Jordin Sparks won the title in 2007. Crystal is also the first contestant in American Idol history to have one of her original songs played on the show - Crystal's song "Holy Toledo" was played on the May 19th Top 3 Results show as the background music for her homecoming package - when she returned to Toledo, Ohio and Elliston, Ohio the previous weekend.
View The Official Crystal Bowersox Website.
On the Run
Crystal Bowersox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where I stop, nobody knows
I'm singing something to myself
Wishing I was somewhere else
You ain't gotta go to be my friend
Cuz I don't know if I'll be back again
But if you want, wait all day
Cuz I, I'm on the run
And I'm just looking, to have me some fun
And I, I don't need nobody
Cuz I'm on the run
I'm on the run
And I ain't no superstitious Cajun queen
And I ain't trying to be no new James Dean
I ain't looking for a place to lay my head
Just a beach a bench or a flower bed
And now don't you fall in love with me
Cuz I have got to, got to be free
But if you want, wait all day
Come on come on come out and play
Cuz I, I'm on the run
And I'm just looking, to have me some fun
And I, well I don't need nobody, no, holdin' me down
I gotta get myself away from this town
I, well I don't want nobody, nobody holdin' me back
So don't you hold me back boy
No, we're gonna take it slow
(?) listen to the radio
I'm all dressed up, no place to go
Well I got my halo, I got my gun
Got my guitar, I got the sun
If it wasn't for the devil horns on my head
Love you boy until I'm dead
Cuz I, I'm on the run
And I'm just looking, to have me some fun, yeah
I, well I don't need nobody, nobody holdin' me down
I gotta get myself away from this town
I, I'm on the run
Yeah I'm just looking, to have me some fun, yeah
I, well I don't want nobody, no holdin' me down
I gotta get myself away from this town
I, and I don't want nobody, nobody holdin' me back
So don't you hold me back
Don't you hold me back baby
No I said don't you hold me back
Don't you hold me back baby
No, no, no, yeah
Crystal Bowersox's "On The Run" speaks to the singer's wanderlust and desire for freedom. The song carries an upbeat tempo, conveying the singer's joy at being on the run, with no plans or obligations. The opening lines introduce the theme of uncertainty and lack of direction, with the singer not knowing where she is going to end up. However, she is not perturbed by this and is content to simply enjoy the journey.
The next section of the song reiterates the singer's desire to be free and not tied to any one place or person. She reassures her companions that they don't have to be her friend in order to accompany her on this journey, but if they choose to do so, they are welcome. The singer is unequivocal about her desire for independence and not being held back by anyone or anything.
The final section of the song is particularly interesting, as the singer references the devil horns on her head, suggesting a more complex motive for her desire for freedom. She sings about her love for someone, but acknowledges that her quest for freedom comes first. In conclusion, "On The Run" is a celebration of the thrill of adventure and the need for individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't got no plans, no place to go
I don't have any specific plans, nowhere in particular I need to be
Where I stop, nobody knows
I'm just going wherever the wind takes me
I'm singing something to myself
I'm humming a tune to keep myself company
Wishing I was somewhere else
I'm feeling restless and longing for a change of scenery
You ain't gotta go to be my friend
You don't have to follow me to be my friend
Cuz I don't know if I'll be back again
I'm not sure when or if I'll return
But if you want, wait all day
If you're willing to wait for me, you're welcome to
Come on come on come out and play
Let's hang out and have some fun
Cuz I, I'm on the run
I'm running away from something or someone
And I'm just looking, to have me some fun
I'm searching for enjoyment or excitement
And I, I don't need nobody
I don't want anyone holding me down or getting in my way
Cuz I'm on the run
I'm trying to escape my current situation
I'm on the run
I'm constantly moving and trying to stay ahead of my problems
And I ain't no superstitious Cajun queen
I'm not a superstitious or overly traditional person
And I ain't trying to be no new James Dean
I'm not trying to be a rebel or live up to anyone's expectations
I ain't looking for a place to lay my head
I don't need a permanent residence or someone to take care of me
Just a beach a bench or a flower bed
I'm content with the simple things in life and don't need much to be happy
And now don't you fall in love with me
I don't want anyone to develop romantic feelings for me because I'm not looking for a relationship
Cuz I have got to, got to be free
I value my freedom and independence above all else
I'm all dressed up, no place to go
I'm ready for anything but I don't have specific plans
Well I got my halo, I got my gun
I have both good and bad intentions depending on the situation
Got my guitar, I got the sun
I have everything I need to enjoy myself and express myself creatively
If it wasn't for the devil horns on my head
If I wasn't capable of making bad decisions, I would be perfect
Love you boy until I'm dead
I'm capable of loving someone but not looking for a long-term commitment
I don't want nobody, no holdin' me back
I don't want anyone interfering with my freedom or trying to change me
So don't you hold me back boy
I don't want anyone, especially a romantic partner, trying to hold me back
No we're gonna take it slow
Let's slow things down and not rush into anything serious
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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