RUNAWAY TRAIN
Elton John feat. Eric Clapton Lyrics
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Gonna eat me up inside
There′s a drifting spirit coming clean
In the eye of a lifelong fire
Tell Monday I'll be around next week
I'm running ahead of my days
In the shotgun chance that scattered us
I′ve seen the error of my ways
Well we′ve wrapped ourselves in golden crowns
Like sun gods spitting rain
Found a way home written on this map
Like red dye in my veins
In the hardest times that come around
The fear of losing grows
I've lost and seen the world shut down
It′s a darkness no one knows
And I've poured out the pleasure and dealt with the pain
Standing in a station waiting in the rain
I′m starting to feel a little muscle again
But love is lost like a runaway train
Oh I'm out of control and out of my hands
I′m tearing like a demon through no man's land
Trying to get a grip on my life again
Nothing hits harder than a runaway train
In Elton John's Runaway Train, the lyrics describe the emotions that come with feeling trapped on a path that seems unsustainable. He likens life to a "hungry road" that threatens to consume him, while also acknowledging the sense of purpose found in "running ahead of my days." The verse goes on to describe the experience of meeting someone who, "in the eye of a lifelong fire," shows the way out of the darkness. Despite this glimmer of hope, the lyrics also express a sense of fragility, with the fear of losing growing stronger in hard times.
The chorus of the song speaks to the challenges of dealing with intense emotions, especially when they feel out of control. The singer describes pouring out both pleasure and pain, standing in the rain, and feeling like he is "tearing like a demon through no man's land." The metaphor of a runaway train adds an extra layer of intensity, hinting that the feelings the song describes are more than just difficult to manage; they are overwhelming and unstoppable.
Line by Line Meaning
There’s a hungry road I can only hope's
Gonna eat me up inside
I'm on a journey that's unforgiving and I fear it will break me from within.
There’s a drifting spirit coming clean
In the eye of a lifelong fire
I'm experiencing a revelation that's kindling from the embers of a restless soul.
Tell Monday I'll be around next week
I'm running ahead of my days
I'm escaping the monotony of life and living each day with haste and fervor.
In the shotgun chance that scattered us
I’ve seen the error of my ways
After the sudden turn of events that split us apart, I've realized my mistakes.
Well, we’ve wrapped ourselves in golden crowns
Like sun gods spitting rain
We've adorned ourselves in wealth and power, believing it gives us control over fate.
Found a way home written on this map
Like red dye in my veins
I've found a path to redemption, etched indelibly in my soul like blood coursing through my veins.
In the hardest times that come around
The fear of losing grows
During times of great struggle, the fear of failure and defeat becomes increasingly intense.
I’ve lost and seen the world shut down
It’s a darkness no one knows
I've suffered and witnessed the world plunge into utter darkness, a pain that's unfathomable to those who haven't experienced it.
And I've poured out the pleasure and dealt with the pain
Standing in a station waiting in the rain
I've indulged in joy and endured pain and now I'm at a standstill, waiting in the rain, contemplating my next move.
I'm starting to feel a little muscle again
But love is lost like a runaway train
I'm beginning to rebuild my inner strength, but love and relationships slip away uncontrollably, like an unpredictable and unstoppable train.
Oh I'm out of control and out of my hands
I’m tearing like a demon through no man's land
I've lost control over my life and I'm struggling through uncharted territory, fueled by an unrelenting force.
Trying to get a grip on my life again
Nothing hits harder than a runaway train
I'm attempting to regain stability and order in my life, but nothing is more merciless than a life that's spiraling out of control.
Writer(s): Bernie Taupin, Elton John, Olle Romo
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.