Hailing from Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Bay gained a reputation thanks to stints at Communion's monthly night at Notting Hill Arts Club in London and a successful run of support slots with Tom Odell, John Newman and Kodaline. He issued his debut EP, The Dark of the Morning, in 2013, with a second extended player, Let It Go, and a third extended player, Hold Back the River, arriving the following year.
In May 2018, Bay released his second studio album, Electric Light.
Running
James Bay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the world spins in reverse
I'll keep running
To the place where I belong
When you go, turn down the light
No one's here to hold you in the night
I'll keep running
When you think you're on your own
I'm still coming home!
When our picture fades in the sun
And all the colors blur in the one
I'll keep running
To the place where I belong
When you think you're on your own
I'm still coming home!
When your all gets blinded
When you fold with the cards
No, I'll never stop fighting
To get to where you are!
Wherever we go
Wherever we go
Wherever we go
Wherever we go
Wherever we go
Wherever we go
When the lights are faded to black
Only stars are guiding me back
I'll keep running
To the place where I belong
When you think you're on your own
I'm still coming home
When you think you're on your own
I'm still coming home
In "Running," James Bay sings about the power of love to keep him going, even when times get tough. The song is ultimately about the importance of having someone to come home to, no matter what. Bay's emotive vocals, paired with the uplifting melody, create a powerful sense of hope and resilience.
The lyrics are full of metaphors that reinforce the theme of perseverance in the face of adversity. When Bay sings, "When my heart is ready to burst / When the world spins in reverse," he's describing that feeling of being overwhelmed and out of control. By continuing to run towards "the place where I belong," he's seeking a sense of safety and stability in his life.
The chorus acts as a repeated reassurance to a loved one: "When you think you're on your own / I'm still coming home!" Here Bay is saying that while things might get hard and it might feel like you're alone, he will always be there for them. It's a message of unconditional love and support.
Overall, "Running" is a moving song about the power of love to keep us going when life gets tough. Bay's lyrics and melody are both incredibly powerful, and it's clear that the song has resonated with countless people all over the world.
Line by Line Meaning
When my heart is ready to burst
Even if I am overwhelmed with emotions,
When the world spins in reverse
Even if everything seems out of place,
I'll keep running
I will continue to move forward,
To the place where I belong
Towards the destination that gives me peace.
When you go, turn down the light
When you leave me alone in the dark,
No one's here to hold you in the night
I am not here to comfort you,
When you think you're on your own
Even if you feel like there's no one beside you,
I'm still coming home!
I will always be there for you!
When our picture fades in the sun
Even if our memories become distant,
And all the colors blur in the one
And all the beautiful things blend together,
When your all gets blinded
Even if you lose everything,
When you fold with the cards
Even if luck is not on your side,
No, I'll never stop fighting
I will never give up,
To get to where you are!
Just to be by your side again!
Wherever we go
No matter where we are,
When the lights are faded to black
Even if everything is dark around me,
Only stars are guiding me back
The only thing that can guide me back is my love for you,
When you think you're on your own
Even if you feel alone,
I'm still coming home
I will always be there for you
When you think you're on your own
Even if you feel alone,
I'm still coming home
I will always be there for you
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: James Bay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bertrovanwyk
When my heart is ready to burst,
When the world spins in reverse
I'll keep running
To the place where I belong
When you go, to turn down the light
No one's here to hold you in the night
I'll keep running
To the place where I belong
When you think you're on your own
I'm still coming home
When our picture fades in the sun
And all the colors blur into one
I'll keep running
To the place where I belong
When you think you're on your own
I'm still coming home
When your hope gets blinded
When you fold with the cards
No, I'll never stop fighting
To get to where you are
Wherever we go
Wherever we go
Wherever we go
Wherever we go
Wherever we go
Wherever we go
When the lights are faded to black
Only stars are guiding me back
I'll keep running
To the place where I belong
When you think you're on your own
I'm still coming home
When you think you're on your own
I'm still coming home
@emmad6760
The sign of a true star is when they sound exactly the same live as they do on their album!
@muatazelbarg7727
that's right
@clairemcandrew818
💯
@Agarudzik
so true :-)
@WeAreSMC96
+Emma D And then theres james bay, whose live performances sound even better than his studio version ;)
@Esterferreiradecastro
I think his live versions are even better than the album ❤️
@tuta3647
I think everyone has a crush on James Bay, He is so inspirational
@ikanbesareroda6605
😄including me😂
@tuta3647
Haiva Nurani I am with you girlfriend 😊
@ikanbesareroda6605
+TUTA together 😁😁