Run and Tell That
Hairspray Lyrics

Hey Trace, my moms pitching a platter party at our record shop up off North Avenue. Wanna come "check it out"?
Seaweed invites Trace to his mom's party at their record store and asks if she wants to come and check it out.

May i also come "check it out?
Penny asks if she can come and look around as well.

Oh, you surely may!
Seaweed happily answers Penny's question, telling her that she is welcome to come along.

I've never been to North Avenue!
Tracy expresses her excitement, as she has never been to North Avenue before.

would it b safe up there for, you know... us?
Link asks if it's safe for them to go to North Avenue, given their skin color.

Yeah dont worry cracker boy, It's cool!
Seaweed reassures Link that it's alright and there's nothing to worry about.

Imagine, being invited places by colored people!
Penny is surprised to be invited to a place by colored people.

It feels so hip!
Tracy expresses how cool and trendy it feels to be invited to a place by colored people.

I'm glad you feel that way, friends, 'cause not everybody does.
Seaweed is glad that his friends feel good about being invited by colored people, as not everybody shares this opinion.

I can't see Why people look at me And only see the color of my face yes they do
Seaweed talks about how people only see him for the color of his skin and not for who he truly is.

And then there's those That try to help, god knows But have to always put me in my place
Seaweed mentions that there are people who try to help but still try to put him down.

Now i won't ask you to be color blind 'Cause if you pick the fruit Then girl, you're sure to find...
Seaweed says he won't ask people to ignore color, because then they will miss out on the good things in life.

The blacker the berry The sweeter the juice I could say it ain't so But darlin', what's the use?
Seaweed tells the listeners that darker-skinned individuals are like a berry with a sweeter taste and there's no denying it.

The darker the chocolate The richer the taste And that's where it's at......now run and tell that!!
Seaweed is comparing the richness of chocolate with the taste of life and tells everyone to go share what they've learned.

Run and tell that!
Ensemble sings together, telling everyone to run and share their knowledge.

I can't see Why people disagree Each time i tell them what i know is true
Seaweed expresses his disbelief about people not accepting the truth he tells them.

And if you come And see the world i'm from I bet your heart is gonna feel it too
Seaweed invites people to visit his world, assuring them that it will fill their hearts with emotions as well.

Yeah. I could lie But baby. Let's be bold Vanilla be nice But if the truth be told...
Seaweed is encouraging honesty in people and suggests that they move on from just being smooth.

Tell 'em about it!
Seaweed's friends encourage Li'l Inez to speak up and share her own experiences.

So give me five on the black-hand side
Li'l Inez asks for a high-five as a symbol of understanding and friendship.

But we got a spirit Money just cant buy
Li'l Inez explains that the people around them have a certain energy that is priceless, which money cannot purchase.

It's deep as a river It soars to the sky!!
Li'l Inez describes this spirit as something that runs deep and reaches high, like a river and the sky.

'Cause all things are equal When it comes to love Well, that ain't quite true 'Cause when a push comes to shove...
Seaweed believes that all people should be equal, but in reality, that's not always the case.

Run and tell that!!
Seaweed and his friends repeat the chorus, encouraging everyone to spread the message.