The founding members of the band were drummer Jim Fox, bassist Tom Kriss, guitarist Ronnie Silverman, keyboardist Phil Giallombardo, and guitarist Glen Schwartz. In 1968 Joe Walsh replaced Schwartz when Schwartz left the band to join Pacific Gas & Electric. The band then released its debut album Yer' Album. In July of 1970, the band released its second album James Gang Rides Again which included the hit single "Funk #49." By this time, Dale Peters had replaced Kriss on bass. The band opened for The Who during a tour of Britain. After two more albums, Thirds, with the single "Walk Away,", and the live album James Gang Live in Concert, Walsh left the band to perform solo and later join the Eagles.
Vocalist Roy Kenner and guitarist Domenic Troiano then joined the band. Troiano left to join Guess Who and was replaced by Tommy Bolin. Bolin left in 1974 to replace Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple. After two albums, "Bang" and "Miami", Bolin was replaced by vocalist Bubba Keith and guitarist Richard Shack, who made "Newborn" (which featured a cover of the Elvis Presley song "Heartbreak Hotel"). The band broke up following a final recording, "Jesse Come Home" (which referred to the band's namesake, the outlaw Jesse James), which was made with the collaboration of early member Phil Giallombardo. Fox was the only remaining member of the original quintet when they disbanded early in 1977.
The "classic" lineup of the band (Walsh, Peters, Fox) reunited to perform at an election rally for Bill Clinton in 1996, appearances on The Drew Carey Show in the 1998-99 season, and at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in February 2001, drawing fans from all over the globe.
As of May 2004, Glenn Schwartz was playing guitar and singing Thursday nights at "Major Hooples" in the Flats, Cleveland.
In summer 2006 the Walsh/Peters/Fox lineup of the group toured the United States. In August 2006, the trio appeared performing live on The Howard Stern radio show on Sirius satellite radio.
Run Run Run
James Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But slowly she moves through the field
Seemingly smiling while inside she's dying
Chasing a butterfly that she'll never feel
She runs, runs, runs and tries hard to run
But motion is just in her eye
Two wars, a famine and decades of damning
He runs, runs, runs and tries hard to run
Catching his foot on the curb
Someone's demanding all his understanding
The sign on his back reading, 'Please Don't Disturb'
He runs, runs, runs and tries hard to run
There's only an hour left to go
Who is insisting, there's no use in quitting
She has a reason but he'll never know
It runs, runs, runs and tries hard to run
To carry it's life down to the sea
The water is muddy and the banks are all bloody
What is the reason that it cannot flow free?
They run, run, run and try hard to run
A pressing engagement goes on by
They hope they will never be leaving forever
Why do they always stand, waving goodbye?
The James Gang's song "Run Run Run" tells the story of four different characters who are all trying to run from something in their lives. The first character mentioned is a woman who is running through a field, chasing a butterfly that she'll never catch. Although she appears to be smiling, she is actually dying inside, suggesting that her pursuit of the butterfly is a metaphor for a larger issue in her life that she cannot overcome.
The second character is a man who catches his foot on a curb while running from someone or something demanding his understanding. The sign on his back reads "Please Don't Disturb," indicating that he is trying to keep his problems hidden from others. The third character is unnamed, but we know that there is only an hour left for them and someone is insisting there's no use in quitting. This creates a sense of urgency and desperation to the character's situation.
The fourth and final character in the song is an entity that is never clearly defined, but seems to be struggling to carry its life down to the sea. The water is muddied and the banks are all bloody, and the reason why it cannot flow free is unknown. All of these characters are trying to escape from problems in their lives, but they are unable to do so. There always seems to be some obstacle blocking their path, whether it is physical or emotional.
Line by Line Meaning
She runs, runs, runs and tries hard to run
Despite the challenges, she keeps moving forward.
But slowly she moves through the field
Despite her efforts, progress is slow and difficult.
Seemingly smiling while inside she's dying
She puts on a brave face but is truly suffering inside.
Chasing a butterfly that she'll never feel
Pursuing something that is unattainable.
But motion is just in her eye
She appears to be moving, but it's just an illusion.
Two wars, a famine and decades of damning
Years of hardship and struggle have taken their toll on her body.
Left her a body that's just breathing to die
Her body is alive but she feels dead inside.
Catching his foot on the curb
He stumbles and falls.
Someone's demanding all his understanding
Others are expecting too much of him.
The sign on his back reading, 'Please Don't Disturb'
He wants to be left alone.
There's only an hour left to go
Time is running out.
Who is insisting, there's no use in quitting
Someone is telling him to keep going, despite the odds.
She has a reason but he'll never know
He doesn't understand why she's doing what she's doing.
To carry its life down to the sea
A river is trying to fulfill its purpose.
The water is muddy and the banks are all bloody
The river faces obstacles and challenges that make its journey difficult.
What is the reason that it cannot flow free?
The river is prevented from reaching its destination.
A pressing engagement goes on by
Others are busy with their own priorities.
They hope they will never be leaving forever
They fear that they may not see each other again.
Why do they always stand, waving goodbye?
Even though it's painful to part ways, they say goodbye with hope and optimism.
Contributed by Samuel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sean McKinney
A favorite of mine when I was a senior in high school. Bought this album in a discount rack at former Mad Records for $1.99. Great tune and album, ahead of its time.
carlos augusto decupero
Uma bela e inesquecível canção!
SFCGator b
Been looking for this song intermittently for about 30 years and finally found it. Only heard a couple of times while partying over at a friends many years ago and was enraptured by its haunting tale and melody.
B.B. Brackin
one of my favs when I was 10 bought this album in Memphis for a buck in 1973
Arwald C
I bought this on record at a pawn shop in a small Texas town and this was the only track I liked. Still have it i think
George Tirebiter
Excellent.
Garret Fitzgerald
Nice song
LadyLake Music
Still have my vinyl
Gary Johnson
Bought this slab when I was but a young buck in Junior High School for a nickel forty-nine.
Nita Wells
My brother was killed in 1974 and this was his favorite song