John's first record released was under the stage name "Johnny Cougar" at the behest of Tony DeFries, his first manager. Mellencamp claims it was against his knowledge and will, and he hated the name. A few years later in 1982, he made his break through with the album "American Fool" which includes the hit singles "Hurts So Good" and "Jack and Diane" under the stage name "John Cougar". With 1983's "Uh-Huh" album, he added back his real last name to become known as "John Cougar Mellencamp." By 1987's "The Lonesome Jubilee" he dropped the "Cougar" moniker altogether, and has been known henceforth as "John Mellencamp."
Mellencamp has always been socially and politically active and supported the "Vote for Change" Tour in 2004 opposing the policies of President George W. Bush. Mellencamp is a devout evangelical Christian and strongly believes in non-violence; he has spoken about his beliefs frequently in interviews.
I'm Not Running Anymore
John Mellencamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said, "Holly, there's no way
We don't even like each other all that much
We couldn't make it one more day"
She said, "You better look out, buster
The next time you see me you're gonna pay"
I said, "Holly, I'm not running anymore
But I'm on my way"
I'm on my way
I'm on my way
I'm on my way
But I'm not running anymore
Well I got two circus clowns here who like to fight
They got one black eye and a bloody nose
They are the hoodlums of my third wife
Whatever I say they will oppose
I try to teach those clowns something
Like how to make it day to day
I say, "Hey, you kids, I'm not running anymore
But I'm on my way"
I'm on my way
I'm on my way
I'm on my way
And I'm not running anymore
Well I look in the mirror - what the hell happened to me?
Whatever I had has gone away
I'm not the young kid that I used to be
So I push the hair back out of my face
That's O.K., I knew this would happen
But I was hopin' not today
Hey Baby, I'm not running anymore
But I'm on my way
I'm on my way
I'm on my way
I'm on my way
And I'm not running anymore
I'm on my way
I'm on my way
I'm on my way
And I'm not running anymore
For sure!
The song "I'm Not Running Anymore" by John Mellencamp speaks of a man who is tired of running and is now ready to face his problems head-on. The first stanza talks about a woman named Holly who wants the man to have a child with her, but he refuses as they do not like each other enough to make it work. Holly threatens him, but he decides to stand his ground and stop running away from his problems. The repeated lines of "I'm on my way, but I'm not running anymore" emphasize how he is moving forward but not trying to escape.
In the second stanza, the man talks about two clowns that are causing trouble and opposing everything he says. He tries to teach them how to survive in the world, but they do not listen. The clowns represent the chaos and obstacles in his life that he has been trying to avoid. However, he is now ready to stand up to them and not run away.
In the third stanza, the man looks in the mirror and realizes that he is no longer the young kid he used to be. He acknowledges that he has aged and accepts that he cannot keep running away from his problems. The line, "But I was hopin' not today," shows that he had been putting this moment off for a while but has finally decided to face it.
Overall, "I'm Not Running Anymore" is a song about accepting one's problems and not running away from them. The repeated lines emphasize the idea of moving forward without escaping.
Line by Line Meaning
Holly told me, "You better give me a child"
My partner Holly demanded that I have a child with her
I said, "Holly, there's no way
I refused her request
We don't even like each other all that much
Our relationship is strained and we don't have a strong emotional connection
We couldn't make it one more day"
We are not compatible and cannot continue our relationship
She said, "You better look out, buster
Holly threatened me
The next time you see me you're gonna pay"
She warned me of consequences if I didn't comply with her wishes
I said, "Holly, I'm not running anymore
I refuse to be intimidated or manipulated
But I'm on my way"
I am moving forward with my life despite the challenges
Well I got two circus clowns here who like to fight
I have two people in my life who cause trouble and conflict
They got one black eye and a bloody nose
They have engaged in physical altercations
They are the hoodlums of my third wife
They are associated with my current partner
Whatever I say they will oppose
They are resistant to my influence
I try to teach those clowns something
I attempt to guide and mentor them
Like how to make it day to day
I offer practical advice on how to navigate life's challenges
I say, "Hey, you kids, I'm not running anymore
I refuse to be controlled or manipulated by them
But I'm on my way"
I am moving forward with my life despite their actions
Well I look in the mirror - what the hell happened to me?
I reflect on my life and how I have changed
Whatever I had has gone away
I have lost something important to me
I'm not the young kid that I used to be
I have grown older and my mindset has shifted
So I push the hair back out of my face
I take a moment to compose myself
That's O.K., I knew this would happen
I anticipated the natural process of aging and change
But I was hopin' not today
I wasn't ready to confront this reality
Hey Baby, I'm not running anymore
I refuse to let fear, doubt or other people control me
But I'm on my way"
I am moving forward, one step at a time
I'm on my way
I am making progress towards my goals
I'm on my way
I am moving forward with my life
I'm on my way
I am taking action and pursuing my dreams
And I'm not running anymore
I will not allow fear or uncertainty to control me
And I'm not running anymore
I am facing my challenges head-on, without hesitation
And I'm not running anymore
I am standing my ground and taking control of my destiny
And I'm not running anymore
I am determined to succeed, no matter the obstacles
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN MELLENCAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JCStorm76
He has so many underrated songs, especially in the 90s
@finster1968
I would have to agree. I actually wasn’t a huge fan in the 80’s, but started to appreciate him the following decade.
@tigerlilyphotos
I remember that winter in Bloomington when he filmed it. Unbelievably cold and so much snow right before filming.
@vikeirishman
Perfect timing !🎉
@Cooldad24
I love Bloomington.
I'm not from there but I have lived there a couple of different times. I'm from Seymour.
@towens999
One of my all-time favorites. John Mellencamp continues to astound me with amazing number of incredible songs over the years. There are few that can really compete with the man!
@johnscialfa7391
Agree
@happyharv1
This is the John Mellencamp we remember so well... A truely creative, fun filled song that makes you want to get up and dance and live life.
@joemomma6987
This song resonates with me. Especially the third verse when he notices he's getting old. That's totally me. I decided to grow my beard out and noticed there was A LOT of grey hair. You kids better enjoy youth. Before you know it, you're old.
@fragbert66
The third verse is my mantra -- "That's okay, I knew this would happen, but I was hoping not today." Lots of gray in my beard too.