Running on Empty
Jackson Browne/David Lindley Lyrics
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Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In sixty five I was seventeen and running up one on one
I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun
Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
Trying not to confuse it with what you do to survive
In sixty-nine I was twenty-one and I called the road my own
I don't know when that road turned, into the road I'm on
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Everyone I know, everywhere I go
People need some reason to believe
I don't know about anyone but me
If it takes all night, that'll be all right
If I can get you to smile before I leave
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
Look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
Looking into their eyes I see them running too
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Honey you really tempt me
You know the way you look so kind
I'd love to stick around but I'm running behind
You know I don't even know what I'm hoping to find
Running into the sun but I'm running behind
In "Running on Empty", Jackson Browne reflects on his nomadic lifestyle as a touring musician. He paints a picture of the road rushing under his wheels as he looks back at the years gone by like so many summer fields. In 1965, he was 17 and running on a track. But now, he doesn't know where he's running or why, he's just running on empty. He's running blind, running into the sun, and running behind. He's doing whatever he can to keep his love alive, trying not to confuse it with what he does to survive. The road he's on now is long, and he doesn't know when or how it turned into the road he's on.
Browne's lyrics also touch on the theme of human connection. He observes that everyone he knows and everywhere he goes, people need a reason to believe. He can only speak for himself, but if he can make someone smile before he leaves, then that'll be alright. He searches for the friends he used to turn to in times of need, and sees them running on empty too. He's tempted to stick around with his lover, but he knows he's running behind and he doesn't even know what he's hoping to find. He's running into the sun, but it feels like he's always chasing a dream just out of reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Observing the road traveling below my tires
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
Reflecting on the past and how it has passed quickly
In sixty five I was seventeen and running up one on one
Recalling year 1965 when I was 17 and racing on a particular road
I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on
I don't know my current direction, I'm simply continuing down my path
Running on, running on empty
Continuing forward despite having no resources to sustain me
Running on, running blind
Moving forward without a clear vision or plan
Running on, running into the sun
Moving towards something good without fully understanding it
But I'm running behind
Despite my efforts, I'm still not keeping up
Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
You have to work hard to keep love strong
Trying not to confuse it with what you do to survive
Trying to balance survival with love to avoid confusing the two
In sixty-nine I was twenty-one and I called the road my own
Remembering year 1969 when I identified with the road
I don't know when that road turned, into the road I'm on
I don't know when my path shifted to its current state
Everyone I know, everywhere I go
Everyone I know and encounter
People need some reason to believe
People require a justification for their beliefs
I don't know about anyone but me
I can't speak for others, only for myself
If it takes all night, that'll be all right
If it requires a long time, that's acceptable
If I can get you to smile before I leave
If I can make you happy before I depart
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Once again observing the road ahead
I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
I don't know how to articulate the unpredictability of life
Look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
Searching for old friends who once supported me
Looking into their eyes I see them running too
Realizing that my friends are struggling as well
Honey, you really tempt me
Addressing a significant other that is a temptation
You know the way you look so kind
Acknowledging how their partner's appearance is gentle
I'd love to stick around but I'm running behind
Desire to stay, but cannot due to falling behind
You know I don't even know what I'm hoping to find
Admitting to being unsure of what they want to achieve
Running into the sun but I'm running behind
Charging towards the future despite still being behind
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jackson Browne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind