RUNAWAY TRAIN
Karaoke - Elton John / Eric Clapton Lyrics
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Gonna eat me up inside
There's a drifting spirit coming clean
In the eye of a lifelong fire
Tell Monday I'll be around next week
I'm running ahead of my days
In the shotgun chance that scattered us
I've seen the error of my ways
Well we've wrapped ourselves in golden crowns
Like sun gods spitting rain
Found a way home written on this map
Like red dye in my veins
In the hardest times that come around
The fear of losing grows
I've lost and seen the world shut down
It's a darkness no one knows
And I've poured out the pleasure and dealt with the pain
Standing in a station waiting in the rain
I'm starting to feel a little muscle again
But love is lost like a runaway train
Oh I'm out of control and out of my hands
I'm tearing like a demon through no man's land
Trying to get a grip on my life again
Nothing hits harder than a runaway train
The first verse of "Runaway Train" seems to describe a sense of desperation and hopelessness. The singer feels as though they are on a road that will consume them, and that there is a restless and neglected aspect of themselves ("a drifting spirit") that needs attention. They recognize that they have made mistakes (seen the "error of my ways") but are still running from something, possibly time itself ("running ahead of my days"). The lyrics express a sense of urgency and turmoil that seems to be escalating.
In the second verse, the lyrics shift to a more hopeful tone. Despite having faced difficulties ("hardest times that come around") and feeling the fear of loss, the singer has found a way home, symbolized by a map with "red dye in my veins". This could represent a renewed sense of purpose or direction. However, the turmoil of the previous verse takes hold again, as the lyrics describe pouring out pleasure and dealing with pain, standing in a station waiting in the rain, and feeling out of control. The metaphor of the runaway train encapsulates the sense of being carried away by forces beyond one's understanding or control.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a hungry road I can only hope's gonna eat me up inside
The uncertain future is looming over me and I fear it will consume me
There's a drifting spirit coming clean in the eye of a lifelong fire
Amidst the chaos of life, I find moments of clarity where my true self shines through
Tell Monday I'll be around next week, I'm running ahead of my days
I'm moving forward with purpose, eager to face the challenges the future holds
In the shotgun chance that scattered us, I've seen the error of my ways
In moments of unexpected turmoil, I've learned from my mistakes and grown wiser
Well we've wrapped ourselves in golden crowns like sun gods spitting rain
We've become arrogant and self-important, blinded by our own success
Found a way home written on this map like red dye in my veins
I've discovered the path back to my true self, as if it was always a part of me
In the hardest times that come around, the fear of losing grows
When life becomes difficult, the fear of failure and loss becomes even more intense
I've lost and seen the world shut down, it's a darkness no one knows
Having experienced profound loss, I've seen how it can bring darkness into one's life
And I've poured out the pleasure and dealt with the pain
I've experienced the highs and lows of life and have learned to cope with both
Standing in a station waiting in the rain
I'm waiting for something to happen but am unsure of what it will be
I'm starting to feel a little muscle again
I'm beginning to regain my strength and resilience
But love is lost like a runaway train
When love is gone, it's like a train that cannot be stopped or controlled
Oh I'm out of control and out of my hands
I've lost control of my life and feel powerless to change it
I'm tearing like a demon through no man's land
I'm pushing myself to the limit, struggling through the difficulties of life
Trying to get a grip on my life again
I'm attempting to regain control and stability in my life
Nothing hits harder than a runaway train
There's no greater pain or struggle than loss or failure that's beyond one's control
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD J.P. TAUPIN, BERNIE TAUPIN, ELTON JOHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind