Only solo hit was "Cool Night". Has 10 solo albums. Son of legendary film composer John Williams
Running On A Deadline
Joseph Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I make enough to get me by
And the worlds are cold
When they're cuttin' through my soul
Don't look around, you're doing fine
Some people fight it
Some kiss the night
(Mmm-hmm-hmm)
I can work it
Running on a deadline
Hold my life then
Hanging on a deadline
Take my freedom
Gotta get it this time
This time, this time
No, no, no, no
No one can hold me down
Then the stranger
Talking to a stranger
In my night time
Hiding in the dawnlight
It's my danger
Looking at the danger
It's a fistfight
No, no, no, no
No one can hold me down
Nothing can keep me down, you say
Breakaway, I gotta breakaway
This ain't no way to live my life
I'll find a place for the words
I want to say
And rest this wasted hanging time
Yeah
I can work it
Running on a deadline
Hold my life then
Hanging on a deadline
Take my freedom
Gotta get it this time
This time, this time
No, no, no, no
No one can hold me down
Then the stranger
Talking to a stranger
In my night time
Hiding in the dawnlight
It's my danger
Looking at the danger
It's a fistfight
No, no, no, no
No one can hold me down
Nothing can keep me down, no
Somebody told me that you said
You would borrow me
I'm not waiting to find out
No, ain't got the time to turn around
'Cause I'll be rich and watch
And I won't let you get me down
No, no, no
I can work it
Running on a deadline
Hold my life then
Hanging on a deadline
Take my freedom
Gotta get it this time
This time, this time
No, no, no, no
No one can hold me down
Mega stranger
Talking to a stranger
In my night time
Hiding in the dawnlight
It's my danger
Looking at the danger
It's a fistfight
No, no, no, no
No one can hold me down
Ooh, nothing can keep me down
(Oh, ooh, ooh, ooh, oh, oh)
No, you can't keep me down
(Oh, ow)
Nothing keeps me down
Well, I don't play around
(No, oh)
Nothing go, nothing go
Nothing go, nothing (ow)
Nothing keeps me down (ow)
The lyrics of Joseph Williams's song "Running On A Deadline" depict a hardworking individual who is determined to succeed in life despite the odds. The singer works every day to make enough money to get by, but feels as though the world is cold and cutting through their soul. However, they remain focused and assure themselves that they can work towards success while running on a deadline. The song suggests that some people fight for their dreams, some live in the moment, and some are sure to find the singer, but nothing can hold the singer down.
The song's chorus repeats the notion that the singer is determined to succeed while running on a deadline. They want to hold on to their life while hanging on to the deadline and take their freedom at the same time. The singer believes that nothing and no one can keep them down as they fight through their struggles. In the bridge of the song, the singer asserts that they don't have time to turn around and wait for anyone to help them. Rather, they will continue working hard to be rich and watch as their success unfolds.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day is another day
Every day is a chance to start anew
I make enough to get me by
I earn just enough to make ends meet
And the worlds are cold
This world can be harsh and unforgiving
When they're cuttin' through my soul
When life gets tough and my spirit feels broken
Don't look around, you're doing fine
Don't compare yourself to others, focus on your own journey
Some people fight it
Some people resist change and struggle with it
Some kiss the night
Some people embrace the unknown and take risks
The rest are sure they'll find me
Others are confident that they will cross paths with me
I can work it
I have the ability to handle challenges
Running on a deadline
Pushing myself to meet deadlines and accomplish goals
Hold my life then
I prioritize my life and responsibilities
Hanging on a deadline
Feeling pressure to succeed within a certain timeframe
Take my freedom
Sacrificing some personal freedom for success
Gotta get it this time
I need to succeed this time around
No one can hold me down
I won't let anyone or anything stop me
Then the stranger
A new and unexpected challenge arises
Talking to a stranger
Trying to navigate unfamiliar territory
In my night time
In moments of darkness and uncertainty
Hiding in the dawnlight
Trying to escape a difficult situation
It's my danger
It's a risky and perilous situation
Looking at the danger
Assessing the risks and challenges ahead
It's a fistfight
A battle to overcome obstacles and succeed
Breakaway, I gotta breakaway
I need to break free from my current circumstances
This ain't no way to live my life
My current situation is unsatisfactory and unfulfilling
I'll find a place for the words
I'll find a way to express myself and achieve my goals
I want to say
Communicating my ideas and dreams is important to me
And rest this wasted hanging time
Stop wasting time and start taking action
Somebody told me that you said
Someone may have made promises to me
You would borrow me
They would lend me financial support
I'm not waiting to find out
I won't rely on anyone else for my success
No, ain't got the time to turn around
I'm too focused on moving forward to look back
Cause I'll be rich and watch
I will achieve success and enjoy the rewards
Nothing go, nothing go
I won't let setbacks or failures derail me
Mega stranger
A significant and challenging obstacle appears
Ooh, nothing can keep me down
I am determined to succeed and nothing will stop me
No, you can't keep me down
No one has the power to hold me back
Nothing keeps me down
I refuse to be defeated
Well, I don't play around
I am serious and focused on achieving my goals
Contributed by Gabriella J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MultiGuitarDave
Personally, I think Joseph Williams voice is the best voice for Toto.
@viantzpradz4771
I agree
@superviewer
Totoally agree 😁 Actually he is the one Toto singer who's register matches mine 😌
@PickettMusic
Absolutely...
@emilianomemelli8470
Joseph è la miglior voce Toto POP, Bobby Rock
@jorgerivas8219
Sin lugar a dudas!!
@kbm6113
This is the best Michael Jackson song MJ never recorded
@kidwaryodproduction
Also The System :) The synthesiser pattern was completely suited on them :)
@kidwaryodproduction
Joseph voice in early 80s era remind me of Michael Jackson meets Kenny Loggins. But he also have his own style :)
By the way. I always think that in early 80s era. He also looks like Paul Hardcastle :)
@robonez
Joseph Williams has an amazing voice!