Running
Jamie xx & Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
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Not away, because there is no such place
Because, if there was I would have found it by now
Because it's easier to run
Easier than staying and finding out you're the only one
Who didn't run
Because running will be the way your life and mine
As in "the long run"
Or as in having given someone a "run for his money"
Or as in "running out of time"
Because running makes me look like everyone else
Though I hope there will ever be cause for that
Because I will be running in the other direction
Not running for cover
Because if I knew where cover was
I would stay there and never have to run for it
Not running for my life
Because I have to be running for something of more value
To be running and not in fear
Because the thing I fear cannot be escaped
Eluded, avoided, hidden from, protected from, gotten away from
Not without showing the fear as I see it now
Because closer, clearer, no sir, nearer
Because you of you and because of that nice
That you quietly, quickly be causing
And because you're going to see me run soon
And because you're going to know why I'm running then
You'll know then
Because I'm not going to tell you now
The lyrics to Jamie xx & Gil Scott-Heron's song "Running" delve deep into the concept of running away, both literally and figuratively. The singer of the song expresses a feeling of always wanting to run, not necessarily away from something, but more so because it is easier to run than to confront what they fear. They do not want to be the only one who did not run and want their life to be described by the act of running.
The lyrics go on to explain how running is a universal symbol that can represent different things such as running in the long run, giving someone a run for their money, and running out of time. The act of running makes the singer look like everyone else, but they hope to never have cause for that. They want to run in the other direction, not for cover, but for something of more value.
The singer explains that they fear something that cannot be escaped, eluded, avoided, hidden from, protected from, or gotten away from without showing their fear. The fear becomes clearer and nearer because of the person causing it quietly and quickly. The singer reveals that the listener will soon see them run and know the reason behind it, but they are not going to explain it to them now.
Overall, the song highlights the complexity of fear and the human instinct to run away from it. It explores the different reasons why people run and how it can be a representation of their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Because I always feel like running
I constantly have an urge to run
Not away, because there is no such place
I am not trying to escape from anything, as there is no place to escape to
Because, if there was I would have found it by now
If there was a place to escape to, I would have found it already
Because it's easier to run
I find it easier to run than to confront my problems
Easier than staying and finding out you're the only one
It's easier to run than to face the possibility of being alone in a difficult situation
Who didn't run
In contrast to those who also ran away
Because running will be the way your life and mine
Running is a common experience that will define both of our lives
Will be described
It is the way that others will talk about our lives
As in "the long run"
As a metaphor for the entirety of our lives
Or as in having given someone a "run for his money"
As a metaphor for competing fiercely against someone
Or as in "running out of time"
As a metaphor for having a limited amount of time to accomplish something important
Because running makes me look like everyone else
Running is a common behavior, so it makes me feel more normal and less alone
Though I hope there will ever be cause for that
Although I hope that there will never be a reason for me to run again
Because I will be running in the other direction
If I ever do run again, it will be for a different reason
Not running for cover
I am not running to hide from something
Because if I knew where cover was
If I knew where to hide, I wouldn't need to run
I would stay there and never have to run for it
I would prefer to stay in a safe place rather than constantly having to run away
Not running for my life
I am not running to save my physical life
Because I have to be running for something of more value
There is something important that I am running towards, not just away from something else
To be running and not in fear
I am running with purpose and determination, not just out of fear
Because the thing I fear cannot be escaped
There is something that I am scared of that can't be overcome by simply running away
Eluded, avoided, hidden from, protected from, gotten away from
It can't be avoided or hidden from or protected from, even by running away
Not without showing the fear as I see it now
I can't escape from my fear without acknowledging it and facing it directly
Because closer, clearer, no sir, nearer
As I get closer to my fear, it becomes more clear and intense
Because you of you and because of that nice
I am running towards someone or something that is positive and attractive
That you quietly, quickly be causing
This person or thing is having a powerful and immediate effect on me
And because you're going to see me run soon
I am going to run in front of this person or towards this thing very soon
And because you're going to know why I'm running then
This person or thing will understand why I am running towards them or it
You'll know then
At that moment, this person or thing will finally understand my motivation
Because I'm not going to tell you now
I can't explain it yet, I need to run towards this person or thing before I can fully understand and articulate my motivation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gil Scott-Heron, Richard Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bronneysamonty2539
2023 and still bumping this 🔥🔥
@GloriousVictorious
Guess I'm here for life. That's art 🤷🏽♀️
@ZeranZeran
Because I always feel like running. Not away, because there is no such place. Because if there was, I would've found it by now.
@MrDaale
Rest In Peace. Amazing music, Amazing philosophy. Will live forever after your gone.
@SOBERGODFOREVER
R.I.P To The Legendary Gil Scott Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011) -P3
@michaelhooper8236
Love this tune!!would love to see jamie xx live..rest in piece to gill scott heron, the insprition for hip hop artists all around the world.
@xD0MINATORx95
Jamie xx is God. Everything he's involved with is amazing <3
@alexpaterson1382
I love how this has such a Afro Samurai strange vibe to it. There are some serious layers here. :)
@tommietippie2
Jamie XX is a modern legend.
@FumoRasta
Because I always feel like running.
Not away, because there is no such place.