Running
Gil Scott Heron & Jamie XX Lyrics
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Not away, because there is no such place
Because, if there was I would have found it by now
Because it's easier to run
Easier than staying and finding out you're the only one
Who didn't run
Because running will be the way your life and mine
Will be described
Or as in having given someone a "run for his money"
Or as in "running out of time"
Because running makes me look like everyone else
Though I hope there will ever be cause for that
Because I will be running in the other direction
Not running for cover
Because if I knew where cover was
I would stay there and never have to run for it
Not running for my life
Because I have to be running for something of more value
To be running and not in fear
Because the thing I fear cannot be escaped
Eluded, avoided, hidden from, protected from, gotten away from
Not without showing the fear as I see it now
Because closer, clearer, no sir, nearer
Because you of you and because of that nice
That you quietly, quickly be causing
And because you're going to see me run soon
And because you're going to know why I'm running then
You'll know then
Because I'm not going to tell you now
The lyrics of Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie Smith's song "Running" suggest that the act of running can represent multiple meanings - from escapism to pursuing something valuable. The first few lines state that the singer feels the need to constantly run, but not away as there is no place to run off to. Running may seem like an easier solution when faced with challenges, rather than stay and face them, especially if it turns out that you are the only one not running. The repetition of the word "running" throughout the lyrics indicates that not only is the act of running a constant in the singer's life, but that it can define the course of one's life, evidenced in phrases such as "the long run," "having given someone a run for his money" and "running out of time".
However, running is not a one-size-fits-all solution, nor does it eliminate a sense of fear from one's life. There are some things that cannot be escaped, eluded or hidden from, in spite of the impulse to run. What the singer fears is not explicitly stated, yet it seems that it is something that is both closer and clearer, and although it cannot be hidden from view, the singer is not yet ready to reveal it. The last lines of the song "Because I'm not going to tell you now" suggest that the answer will be revealed when the time is right.
Overall, "Running" expresses the complexity of our relationship to the act of running as an expression of our inner turmoil, fears, and desires. Sometimes, it is a catalyst for change, other times it is a symptom of our internal struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Because I always feel like running
I have an overwhelming urge to constantly run.
Not away, because there is no such place
I'm not running away from anything specific because there's no place to go where my problems won't follow.
Because, if there was I would have found it by now
If there was a place to escape to, I would have found it already.
Because it's easier to run
Running is an easier option than facing my problems head-on.
Easier than staying and finding out you're the only one
Running is easier than staying and realizing that I'm alone in my struggles.
Who didn't run
I don't want to be the only one who didn't run and faced their problems.
Because running will be the way your life and mine
Will be described
As in "the long run"
Or as in having given someone a "run for his money"
Or as in "running out of time"
Running defines our lives, whether it's in the sense of endurance for the long haul, challenging competition, or time rapidly slipping away.
Because running makes me look like everyone else
Running masks my individuality and merges me with the crowd.
Though I hope there will ever be cause for that
I hope one day there will be a reason for me to stand out from the crowd.
Because I will be running in the other direction
I'm choosing to run in a different direction than what is expected or accepted.
Not running for cover
Because if I knew where cover was
I would stay there and never have to run for it
I'm not running for safety because if I knew where safety was, I'd stay there instead of having to run towards it.
Not running for my life
I'm not running to save my life physically, but rather emotionally.
Because I have to be running for something of more value
I'm running towards something valuable to me.
To be running and not in fear
I'm choosing to run towards my goal without being held back by my fears.
Because the thing I fear cannot be escaped
Eluded, avoided, hidden from, protected from, gotten away from
Not without showing the fear as I see it now
What I fear cannot be avoided through any means without fully admitting and facing the fear directly.
Because closer, clearer, no sir, nearer
As I get closer to my goal, it becomes clearer and more certain.
Because you of you and because of that nice
That you quietly, quickly be causing
I'm running towards something that your presence has caused or inspired.
And because you're going to see me run soon
And because you're going to know why I'm running then
You'll know then
You'll soon see me running towards my goal, and then you'll understand exactly why I'm running.
Because I'm not going to tell you now
I don't need to explain why I'm running at this moment, but you'll understand when I reach my goal.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRIAN KENNEDY SEALS, BALEWA M. MUHAMMAD, CANDICE CLOTIEL NELSON, EZEKIEL L. LEWIS, PATRICK MICHAEL SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bronneysamonty2539
2023 and still bumping this 🔥🔥
@GloriousVictorious
Guess I'm here for life. That's art 🤷🏽♀️
@ZeranZeran
Because I always feel like running. Not away, because there is no such place. Because if there was, I would've found it by now.
@MrDaale
Rest In Peace. Amazing music, Amazing philosophy. Will live forever after your gone.
@SOBERGODFOREVER
R.I.P To The Legendary Gil Scott Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011) -P3
@michaelhooper8236
Love this tune!!would love to see jamie xx live..rest in piece to gill scott heron, the insprition for hip hop artists all around the world.
@xD0MINATORx95
Jamie xx is God. Everything he's involved with is amazing <3
@alexpaterson1382
I love how this has such a Afro Samurai strange vibe to it. There are some serious layers here. :)
@tommietippie2
Jamie XX is a modern legend.
@FumoRasta
Because I always feel like running.
Not away, because there is no such place.