Other bands which have released songs inspired by the story include Angelic Upstarts (Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner), Belle and Sebastian (the Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner) and Agoraphobic Nosebleed (Timelord One (Loneliness of the Long Distance Drug Runner)).
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
Iron Maiden Lyrics
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And the rain that's beating down on your back
Your heart's beating loud
And goes on getting louder
And goes on even more 'til the sound is ringing in your head
With every step you tread and every breath you take
Determination makes you run, never stop
Keep the pace, hold the race
The mind is getting clearer
You're over halfway there
But the miles, they never seem to end
As if you're in a dream, not getting anywhere
It seems so futile
Run, on and on
Run, on and on
The loneliness of the long distance runner
I've got to keep running the course
I've got to keep running and win at all costs
I've got to keep going, be strong
Must be so determined and push myself on
Run over stiles, across fields
Turn to look at who's on your heels
Way ahead of the field
The line is getting nearer
But do you want the glory that goes?
You reach the final stretch, ideals are just a trace
You feel like throwing the race
It's all so futile
Run, on and on
Run, on and on
The loneliness of the long distance runner
Run, on and on
Run, on and on
The loneliness of the long distance runner
"The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" by Iron Maiden is a song about determination and the struggle of endurance. The song begins with a vivid image of a runner enduring tough weather conditions as they run, and the sound of their heartbeat grows louder with each step. The lyrics convey the idea of pushing oneself to the limit, constantly striving to reach the end goal. The phrase "The loneliness of the long distance runner" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the feeling of isolation and solitude that comes with pursuing a goal that requires great perseverance over a long period of time.
As the song progresses, the runner's determination is tested as they reach the midpoint of the race and begin to feel the weight of the miles ahead. The runner is forced to confront the futility of their efforts and the question of whether the glory at the finish line is worth the struggle. Despite this, the runner continues on, pushing themselves forward with sheer willpower.
In the end, the song speaks to the idea that the journey itself is the reward, not just the end goal. The perseverance and dedication required to be a long-distance runner is a metaphor for any long-term goal that requires great effort and endurance.
Line by Line Meaning
Tough of the track with the wind
Starting the race in harsh conditions, involving wind and rain.
And the rain that's beating down on your back
The rainy weather causing discomfort while running.
Your heart's beating loud
The runner is feeling nervous and excited.
And goes on getting louder
The adrenaline rush from running causes the heart rate to increase further.
And goes on even more 'til the sound is ringing in your head
The excitement causing the heart beat to become so loud that it seems like it's ringing in their head.
With every step you tread and every breath you take
The runner is focused on every step they take and every breath they take while running.
Determination makes you run, never stop
The runner's determination to succeed keeps them going without stopping.
Gotta win, gotta run 'til you drop
The goal of the runner is to win the race, even if they must keep running until they collapse.
Keep the pace, hold the race
The runner needs to maintain their speed and focus to finish the race well.
The mind is getting clearer
As the race goes on, the runner's thoughts and mind become clearer and more focused.
You're over halfway there
The runner has passed the halfway point in the race.
But the miles, they never seemed to end
Despite being over halfway, the runner still has a long way to go.
As if you're in a dream, not getting anywhere
The exhaustion of the race makes it feel like the runner isn't making any progress.
It seems so futile
The runner starts to feel like continuing the race is pointless and not worth it.
Run, on and on
The repetition of this phrase reinforces the idea of constant movement forward, even if it feels pointless.
The loneliness of the long distance runner
The solitude and isolation of the sport of long distance running.
I've got to keep running the course
The runner needs to finish the race, no matter what.
I've got to keep running and win at all costs
The runner's determination to win is so strong that they will do anything to claim first place.
I've got to keep going, be strong
The runner needs to keep pushing forward and stay mentally and physically strong.
Must be so determined and push myself on
The runner must maintain their motivation and drive to finish the race.
Run over stiles, across fields
The runner must navigate over different obstacles and terrain to finish the race.
Turn to look at who's on your heels
The runner checks to see if anyone is close behind them in the race.
Way ahead of the field
The runner is far ahead of the other competitors in the race.
The line is getting nearer
The finish line is getting closer and closer.
But do you want the glory that goes?
The runner questions whether or not winning and the glory that comes with it is worth the effort.
You reach the final stretch, ideals are just a trace
As the runner nears the end of the race, the original reasons and ideals for running become less important and fade away.
You feel like throwing the race
The exhaustion and conflicting thoughts make the runner feel like giving up and not finishing the race.
It's all so futile
The runner feels like everything they have done up until this point has been pointless.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it