On the Run
David Gilmour/Richard Wright/Roger Waters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
You better make your face up in
Your favorite disguise
With your button down lips and your
Roller blind eyes
With your empty smile
And your hungry heart
With your nerves in tatters
When the conch shell shatters
And the hammers batter
Down your door
You'd better run
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
You better run all day
And run all night
Keep your dirty feelings
Deep inside
And if you're taking your girlfriend
Out tonight
You'd better park the car
Well out of sight
'Cause if they catch you in the back seat
Trying to pick her locks
They're gonna send you back to mother
In a cardboard box
You better run
"Hey, open up!"
"Hammer, hammer"
The lyrics to "On The Run" by David Gilmour and Roger Waters can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but a general theme of anxiety and paranoia is evident. The repetition of "Hammer, Hammer, Hammer" and "Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run" creates a sense of urgency and chaos, as if the singer is running for their life. The next few lines imply that the singer is attempting to hide their true self by wearing a disguise and keeping their emotions and desires hidden. The imagery of the "button-down lips" and "roller blind eyes" suggests that the singer is not being genuine with themselves or others. The "empty smile" and "hungry heart" further suggest that the singer is dissatisfied with their current situation.
The following lines suggest that the singer is haunted by their past mistakes and is struggling to keep their emotions in check. The "cockleshell shatters" and "hammers batter down your door" create an image of destruction and chaos, emphasizing the idea that the singer is in danger. The repetition of "Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run" adds to the sense of urgency and fear.
The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is engaging in illicit behavior and needs to be careful in order to avoid getting caught. The warning to "park the car well out of sight" and the threat of being "sent back to Mother in a cardboard box" reinforces the idea that the singer is living dangerously and needs to be cautious.
Overall, "On The Run" conveys a sense of fear and paranoia. The repetition of certain phrases creates a sense of chaos and urgency, while the imagery of disguise and hidden emotions suggest that the singer is not being authentic with themselves or others.
Line by Line Meaning
Hammer, Hammer, Hammer
Emphasizing the beginning of a chaotic journey
Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run
Reinforcing the idea of running away from danger
Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run
Continuing to stress the need to flee from something
You better make your face up
Prepares the listener to disguise themselves for safety
In your favorite disguise
Encourages the use of a familiar character trait to deceive pursuers
With your button-down lips
Urges to remain silent and not give out any information
And your roller blind eyes
Describing a state where one is alert but not visually taking in detail
With your empty smile
Advising to maintain a facade of normalcy, despite danger
And your hungry heart
Stating that you may want to survive, but the danger needs your attention more
Feel the bile rising
Feeling anxious about the current situation creeping up on you
From your guilty past
From fear of being caught due to previous indiscretions
With your nerves in tatters
Recognizing the heavy emotional toll of being constantly on the run
As the cockleshell shatters
Describing a breaking point due to the constant pressure of danger
And the hammers batter
Emphasizing the violent nature of the ongoing situation
Down your door
Referring to a threat of invasion and harm to personal property
You better run
A final warning to get away or face the consequences
Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run
Repeating the message of urgency to flee
Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run
Continuing repetition reinforces the idea of danger
You better run all day
An admonition to persist in escaping
And run all night
To continue to be vigilant against the possible danger
And keep your dirty feelings deep inside
Observe caution to not reveal any thought that may jeopardize the escape
And if you're taking your girlfriend out tonight
Assuming that the listener has a heterosexual relationship
You better park the car well out of sight
Suggesting to take extra care in hiding any evidence of a connection to the listener
'Cause if they catch you in the back seat
If caught in a moment of vulnerability, the risks intensify
Trying to pick her locks
An allusion to inappropriate behavior in a relationship context
Gonna send you back to Mother
The ultimate consequence of being caught
In a cardboard box
A grim visualization of the end that awaits the listener
You better run
An urgent repetition of the warning
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Jon Gilmour, George Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@steffanhoffmann8937
I don't agree with either of you here.
Rogers first contemporary was Syd.
Bounced off each other from kids.
Dave Gilmore quite frankly was the Charlatan. Used skullduggery.
Furthered his career.
Roger went along with the rest in getting rid of Syd in a terribly underhanded way.
Syd has influenced generations of different genres of music in different decades. He only had two years work in him.
Incredible.
David credits Syd with being far more gifted than he but he's never said sorry.
Roger has said sorry.
Make of that what you will
@VirginiaWolf88
Pink Floyd If
If I were a swan, I'd be gone
If I were a train, I'd be late
And if I were a good man, I'd talk with you more often than I do
If I were to sleep, I could dream
If I were afraid, I could hide
If I go insane, please don't put your wires in my brain
If I were the moon, I'd be cool
If I were a rule, I would bend
If I were a good man, I'd understand the spaces between friends
If I were alone, I would cry
And if I were with you, I'd be home and dry
And if I go insane, will you still let me join in with the game?
If I were a swan, I'd be gone
If I were a train, I'd be late again
If I were a good man, I'd talk with you more often than I do
@floydcanvasmiu5575
DAVID GILMOUR with ROGER WATERS『Rehearsal 』 from『Remember That Night』at The Royal Albert Hall 2006
I'm sorry that the subtitle is English only :(
Love PINK FLOYD Forever ♪
@ati_o
floyd canvas by miu song at 00:38???
@angelroslopez4168
+Atiø Echoes
@roosdad1
It's the only language GOD understands.
@perryberman2824
floyd canvas miu Sounded for a few seconds similar to No Quarter. Love Pink Floyd. They're almost as good as Brit Floyd (Tee Hee)
@nergalshagrath6667
That song reminds me no quarter by led zeppelin but it's that song that Roger played on keyboards
@digitalsketchguy
Like a divorced couple meeting at the check-out
@oceanview2965
Perfect description.
@dennispickard7743
Yup the first thoughts would be “ where’s my money ye bitch “ lol 😂
@redplague
I was thinking of two generals meeting in the middle of a battlefield to discuss terms.