Julia's love for life and understanding of people enables her to write with honesty and compassion.
As a performer she is charming and captivating, a wonderful mix of vulnerability and determination.
Running up That Hill
Julia Henning Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know, know that it doesn't hurt me?
Do you want to hear about this deal I'm making?
It'll be you and me
Be you and me
And if I only could
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
And If I only could ...
You don't want to hurt me
But see how deep the bullet lies
Unaware I'm tearing you asunder
There is thunder in our hearts baby
So much hate for the ones we love
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
It'll you and me
Be you and me
And if I only could
I'd make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
And if I only could
I'd make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
Let me steal this moment from you now
Let me steal this moment from you now
Let me steal this moment ...
And if I only could
I'd make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
And if I only could
I'd make a deal with God
And if I only could ...
In Julia Henning's version of "Running Up That Hill," the lyrics explore themes of longing, pain, and the desire for change. The lyrics start with the line, "It doesn't hurt me," which could be interpreted as a facade or a protective mechanism to conceal the pain that the singer is experiencing. The subsequent questions, "Do you want to feel how it feels? Do you want to know, know that it doesn't hurt me?" suggest a desire for the other person to fully understand the singer's pain.
The chorus begins with the lines, "And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God, and get him to swap our places." Here, the singer expresses a willingness to do whatever it takes to escape their pain, even if that means swapping lives with someone else. The repetition of "be running up that road, be running up that hill, be running up that building," further emphasizes the idea of desperately wanting to escape from their current reality.
The verses and the choruses contrast each other, with the verses exploring the pain and the difficulties of the current situation, while the chorus offers a sense of hope and longing for change. The lines, "You don't want to hurt me, but see how deep the bullet lies," suggest that perhaps the other person is unaware of the extent of the singer's pain. The singer acknowledges the love between the two, but notes that there is also "so much hate for the ones we love."
Overall, Julia Henning's version of "Running Up That Hill" is a powerful exploration of human emotions and desires for change.
Line by Line Meaning
It doesn't hurt me
I am not in pain
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to experience my lack of pain?
Do you want to know, know that it doesn't hurt me?
Do you want to understand that I am not feeling hurt?
Do you want to hear about this deal I'm making?
Do you want me to tell you about the bargain I'm proposing?
It'll be you and me
We will be involved in this agreement together
And if I only could
If I had the power to do so
I'd make a deal with God
I would negotiate with a higher power
And get him to swap our places
Exchange our lives
Be running up that road
To sprint on the way
Be running up that hill
To charge up that steep incline
Be running up that building
To ascend and conquer that towering structure
You don't want to hurt me
I know you don't wish me any harm
But see how deep the bullet lies
However, there is a profound hurt inside me
Unaware I'm tearing you asunder
I don't realize that I am causing you pain too
There is thunder in our hearts baby
We both have strong feelings and emotions
So much hate for the ones we love
We often show anger and hostility towards those we care about
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
We are both important, right?
Let me steal this moment from you now
Allow me to take over and have this moment to myself
And if I only could
If I had the chance
I'd make a deal with God
I would bargain with a higher power
And get him to swap our places
To exchange our lives
And if I only could ...
If only it were possible
Contributed by Taylor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@myukiamano961
It doesn't hurt me
You wanna feel how it feels?
You wanna know, know that it doesn't hurt me?
You wanna hear about the deal I'm making?
You (if I only could be running up that hill)
You and me (if I only could be running up that hill)
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
If I only could, ooh
You don't want to hurt me
But see how deep the bullet lies
Unaware that I'm tearing you asunder
And there's a thunder in our hearts, baby
So much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
You (if I only could be running up that hill)
You and me (if I only could be running up that hill)
You and me won't be unhappy (if I only could be running up that hill)
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
If I only could, ooh, ooh
Come on baby, come on, come on, darling
Let me steal this moment from you now
Come on angel, come on, come on, darling
Let's exchange the experience, ooh
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems
And if I only could
Make a deal with God
And get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
If I only could
Be running up that hill
@jeremycbarnhart2305
Undeniably an amazing song - What breaks my heart a little is the meaning behind it.....
(CAN OF WORMS)
As an artist and a songwriter I also am someone who hates when my work is interpreted.......and yet...here's the kicker - When I heard this, and even now when I hear it, I am absolutely and without a shadow of doubt brought to a mindset of someone suffering or someone dealing with loss or sickness and this cry, "IF I ONLY COULD!......" plays over and over again - So here I am, totally against "interpretation" for my works as a writer, illustrator and musician and yet I had already 'assumed' or formed my own conclusions around the song which deal with loving someone so much you would trade them places....and it's really just about "men and women understanding one another'....
I am not saying that's petty or worthless, but when you had years of thinking the song was about crying out to God to trade places with someone suffering and you learn it's real motivation.....you all of a sudden get disillusioned.
I will say this, that's a better way to lean - toward liking the song and having it mean something nice and noble and good - than to interpret it badly and HATE it, when it doesn't deserve to be hated....
But more on Psychological responsiveness and ethical/moral motivational conceptual-ism on a later date...
grin
Needless to say, I love the song and this is another wonderful way to enjoy it.
Thank you, Juilia!!!!
@lisa130562
Kate's delivery at the time was more of a youthful, passionate lover.
Here there is a much more mature delivery.
I can really appreciate and relate more.
I sense it is sang from a grown woman that has been holding on to her relationship for a long period of time.
But she does not receive the efforts from her counterpart (maybe because he is not ready to be the King she deserves) for whichever reason.
You ask through love, you confront, you forgive at the same time.
But stay firm in your demand.
You are very fascinating and you inspire respect and admiration as you're moving hearts with your powerful yet delicate voice.
You are a Goddess. (At least you embodie it here on this stage, when you tell about "making a deal with God" it feels you are already his equal).
@strafe777
Just when I thought I’d never hear a better version I came upon this one. The singer is unbelievably talented. The orchestra did a fantastic job as well.
@anrepang
I have been following Kate for decades and I was thinking Kate's songs were hard to cover. Well, they are hard still, but you do a great, great job. The arrangment is haunting, voice full of heart and soul. Love it.
@nj-vc8os
I like the unique twist she’s put on it. Love her voice and the understated, thoughtful delivery. The msg feels different in this cover.
@howardbeall4144
I like this version the best, The power of that phrase "if I only could", conveys such heartfelt loss and beauty
@robindick2802
She sings like an angel. Simply beautiful! 🌹
@JessChaotic
I can't stop listening! Feeling all the emotions. :)
@JuliaHenningHEN
Thank you all for the lovely comments and interest over the years. I have now released this song on Spotify (and soon on all digital platforms) Link in the video's description. <3
@wejane1959
Have to say you make St Vincents version pale in comparison…
@kevinmech3869
I LOVE ❤️ THIS!!
@higorduraes9964
Your version for this music is absolutely amazing!)