Keep On Runnin'
Journey Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Workin' in the city
This town's got no pity
Bossman owns a heart of stone
I'm on the line, it's overtime
I'll tell you it's a crime

They get me by the hour
By my blue collar
Woo, you're squeezin' me too tight
Oh, it's Friday night
Let's run tonight
'Til the morning light

Keep on runnin' (keep on runnin')
Keep on hidin' (keep on hidin')
Keep on runnin' away
It's okay, it's alright
It's okay, it's alright
And if it makes you want to jump and shout, go ahead!
Keep on runnin' (keep on runnin')
Keep on hidin' (keep on hidin')
Keep on runnin' away, it's okay

Crusin' with my baby
Think we just might maybe
Find some back seat rhythm and blues
Radio, I said now down we go, woo baby, down we go

Keep on runnin' (keep on runnin')
Keep on hidin' (keep on hidin')
Keep on runnin' away
It's okay

Keep on runnin' (keep on runnin')
Keep on hidin' (keep on hidin')
Keep on runnin' away
It's okay, it's alright
It's okay, it's alright, it's okay
And if it makes you want to jump and shout, go ahead!
Keep on runnin' (keep on runnin')
Keep on hidin' (keep on hidin')




Keep on runnin' away
It's okay

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Journey's song Keep on Runnin' speak to the struggles of life in the city, particularly for those who work blue-collar jobs. The singer is exhausted and feeling oppressed by a heartless boss who takes advantage of their hard work by paying them by the hour. The overall message of the song is to keep running- running from what, exactly, is not clear- and to keep hiding. The repetition of the phrases "keep on runnin'" and "keep on hidin'" highlights the idea of escaping from something or someone.


The second verse of the song is a brief departure from the bleakness of the first. The singer is cruising with their significant other and hoping to find some back seat rhythm and blues. This moment of joy adds a sense of hope to the song, even if it is brief. The song ultimately ends on a positive note with the repeated phrases "it's okay, it's alright". It's almost like a mantra- a way of reminding oneself that they can move forward despite the difficulties they face.


Overall, Keep on Runnin' is a song about resilience, endurance, and the power of escape. The character may be trapped in their situation, but they are not defeated. Instead, they choose to keep moving forward.


Line by Line Meaning

Workin' in the city
I am employed in the urban area


This town's got no pity
The city is heartless and merciless


Bossman owns a heart of stone
The employer is emotionless and cruel


I'm on the line, it's overtime
I am at work and it's outside normal working hours


I'll tell you it's a crime
It's unfair and unjust


They get me by the hour
I am compensated hourly


By my blue collar
I work in manual labor


Woo, you're squeezin' me too tight
The work is too demanding and overwhelming


Oh, it's Friday night
The weekend is here


Let's run tonight
Let's escape our problems and worries


'Til the morning light
Until dawn breaks


Keep on runnin' (keep on runnin')
Continue to flee


Keep on hidin' (keep on hidin')
Continue to conceal


Keep on runnin' away
Keep on escaping


It's okay, it's alright
It is acceptable and fine


And if it makes you want to jump and shout, go ahead!
If it brings you joy, express it


Crusin' with my baby
Driving around with my lover


Think we just might maybe
We might possibly


Find some back seat rhythm and blues
Listen to some passionate music in the car


Radio, I said now down we go, woo baby, down we go
Lower the volume and let's focus on us




Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: JONATHAN CAIN, NEAL JOSEPH SCHON, STEPHEN RAY PERRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Mark Heidema

Journey had so much Heart and Soul for a Rock band. All the members gave something to the group but steve brought it every time. Thee best singer in rock n roll history....period.

Trish Mcgrath

Yes.heart.and.soul#.very.true.

Arkman

Had??? You know they never stopped, theyโ€™re on lollapalooza right now. Yes Steve perry is not with, but Arnel pineada is amazing and adds something different, but they never stopped.

That being said I get where your coming from they are an amazing group.

Cathy Walker

THAT IS FOR SURE!

Cassie Howder

Steve Perry has it all. Talent, charisma and of course he iso handsome โค๏ธ

Mary Ann Geyer

Heโ€™s fabulous no matter what heโ€™s singing!!!

Celia Panzer

He can sing anything...

Summer McPherson

Mary Ann Geyer you've got that right! Journey were big back in the day. They broke the mid of a lot of 80's rockers. Steve had a very huge and wide range when he was young. He had a similar vocal range to Jon Bon Jovi, and some female rockers like Pat Benatar and Ann Wilson. I've always thought Journey and Heart sound the same. I would have really loved hearing Steve Perry and Ann Wilson sing a duet back in the 80's.

Tailhook MD

Damn these guys were tight back then. The hours of practice are so obvious. World class musicians, insanely talented song writers, on top of the world.

Jonp

Doesn't get much tighter than Steve Smith

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