Running
Eddie Berman Lyrics

In "Running," Eddie Berman sings about the complexities of leaving someone or something behind while also feeling conflicted about staying. The song opens with the lines "We're greeted in the mornin' by the fury of the sun, they came to burn our bridges but we beat 'em to the punch," which may suggest an imminent threat or challenge that the singer has successfully overcome. However, the following lines reveal a sense of regret and a desire to return to the past, as the singer asks to be taken back to "pastures that [he] ruined from the start." The image of having one's car stripped of its parts and hair cut off adds to this idea of wanting to start anew, stripped of any previous attachments.

As the song continues, the singer reflects on his current state of being, waking up in the quiet of the night and "rummage[ing] and ravage[ing] like a savage through their streets." The use of animalistic language suggests a primal urge or need to seek something out, which is not fully explained. The question of whether the person on the other shore can hear the singer adds another layer of ambiguity and uncertainty. The lines "Cause its not the reasons that I leave that bother me today, Oh the thing that's hammerin' on my brain are the reasons that you stay" bring the focus back to the idea of staying versus leaving, and the inherent conflict and difficulty of making that choice.

The final lines of the song circle back to the themes of hunting and being hunted, as the singer confesses to not knowing "how to tell between the hunter and its prey." The repeated assertion that "all I know is that I'm runnin' and that I always will" adds a sense of inevitability to the line of thinking. In the end, the "reasons that [the other person] stay[s]" continue to weigh heavily on the singer's mind, underscoring the complex nature of relationships and the challenges of making decisions that impact others.

Interesting facts about the song:

1) "Running" is the seventh track on Eddie Berman's 2017 album Before the Bridge.
2) The album was largely recorded in Berman's Los Angeles living room, using an old Neumann microphone and vintage guitar amps.
3) Berman cites Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Nick Drake among his musical influences.
4) Berman has collaborated with a number of other musicians, including Laura Marling and William Fitzsimmons.
5) In addition to his music career, Berman has also written plays and worked as a teacher.
6) Before the Bridge features several other notable tracks, including "Easy Rider" and "My Will Be Done."
7) Berman has described "Running" as one of his favorite tracks on the album.
8) The album was released on vinyl in 2018 in a limited edition run of 500 copies.
9) Berman has remarked on the importance of incorporating visual elements into his music, such as the album art for Before the Bridge, which he created himself.
10) Berman has performed live extensively, including at festivals like Bonnaroo and the Newport Folk Festival.

Chords (from Ultimate Guitar):
Verse: C, Am, F, G
Chorus: Am, G, C, F, G