In 201… Read Full Bio ↴Little Chief is an American folk band from Fayetteville, AR.
In 2012, after long nights of jams and other musical get-togethers, Little Chief frontman Matt Cooper decided that he wanted to create a folk band that played songs that got people stomping and clapping, while still having lyrical meaning. As a former singer/songwriter, Matt had played numerous shows with cello player, Matthew Heckmann and knew that they already had a very organic sound together. Through other friends and contacts, they met and befriended Andrew Myers, a drummer out of Ft. Smith, Arkansas. As college students at the University of Arkansas, their late nights are full of practicing and creating an authentic sound. Together, the three make up the "Little Chief" band.
Playing numerous shows in every kind of venue, Little Chief has played with everything from singer/songwriters to rap artists. Little Chief's debut EP "Somewhere Near The River" was released in 2012.
Running Wild
Little Chief Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Standing on my stubborn feet
I found
All my insecurities
Buried down deep
Within the ground
And I didn't know what I would find
But the truth is love is blind
I felt the truth inside of me
Alive
Love is like a second wind
When it's gone it comes back again
My friend
And I didn't know what I would find
But that's the day I left it all behind
I've been running wild
Down in the valley
Living with my empty hands
Love is not a place
It's the people around you
They're the ones who keep me running wild
I've got memories where I used to be
I ain't going back I ain't going back
I've got memories where I used to be
I ain't got back I ain't going back
I've been running wild
Down in the valley
Living with my empty hands
Love is not a place
It's the people around you
They're the ones who keep me running wild
The lyrics of Little Chief's "Running Wild" speak about the feeling of being lost, and finding comfort in the people who surround us. The song starts with the image of standing on one's feet, underneath a willow tree, and discovering insecurities buried "within the ground". The singer didn't know what they would find, but they come to the realization that "love is blind" and stronger than anything - even the eastern sea. The singer feels alive, and describes love as a second wind that comes back even when it's gone.
The chorus portrays the singer as a person who's been "running wild" in the valley with empty hands. However, the message remains that love is not a place or a thing, but rather the people who surround us. The singer proclaims that they are not going back to where they used to be, and "the people around him" are the ones who keep him running wild.
Overall, Little Chief's "Running Wild" is a song about the power of love and the importance of the people around us. The songwriter emphasizes that love is not limited to a particular place or thing, but rather the people in our lives. Running wild could signify freedom or a restless soul, and the singer seems to have found peace, freedom, and happiness in the love that surrounds him.
Line by Line Meaning
Underneath the willow tree
I am standing still under the shade of a willow tree.
Standing on my stubborn feet
I am standing firmly, not allowing anything to waver my stance.
I found
I finally discovered something meaningful to myself.
All my insecurities
My hidden fears and doubts about myself that hold me back from being confident.
Buried down deep
Kept hidden inside, buried deeply beneath the surface.
Within the ground
Deeply rooted within the earth or my subconscious mind.
And I didn't know what I would find
I wasn't sure what I was searching for or what I would find.
But the truth is love is blind
The reality is that love is unconditional and it doesn't care about faults or flaws.
Stronger than the eastern sea
Love is more potent than even the strong currents of the Eastern sea.
I felt the truth inside of me
I felt the sincerity and genuineness of love resonating within me.
Alive
I felt alive, as if a new energy had been injected within me.
Love is like a second wind
Love has the power to rejuvenate and uplift, like a second chance at life.
When it's gone it comes back again
Love might at times diminish, but it always seems to find its way back into your life.
My friend
Addressing a reliable companion or significant other who can be trusted.
And I didn't know what I would find
Again emphasizing the ambiguity and uncertainty in my search for love and acceptance.
But that's the day I left it all behind
Refers to the day where I overcome my fears and insecurities and chose to move past them.
I've been running wild
I have been going about my life without any restraints, feeling free.
Down in the valley
Metaphorically referring to a state of sadness or depression as a low point or valley.
Living with my empty hands
I am living my life with nothing tangible to hold on to, such as love or support.
Love is not a place
Love is not somewhere you can go to, but it is a feeling you experience from those around you.
It's the people around you
The people in your life, like friends and family, are the source of love and support that you need.
They're the ones who keep me running wild
The people in my life give me the freedom to live my life the way I want to without any limitations.
I've got memories where I used to be
I have memories of where I used to be and who I used to be.
I ain't going back I ain't going back
I am determined to move forward and not look back at my past mistakes or misfortunes.
I've been running wild
Reiterating the theme of personal freedom and living life to the fullest without any constraints.
Writer(s): Matthew Cooper
Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Threeinoneco
Please make music again!! You have such a talent for it!!!
@Al-qb6iv
♥ love the ambience of both the song and the film! Glad to hear new music from you again🙌
@joshuaweiss1249
So happy this band is back
@otnielmidas9555
Love this band, they are back.. we are waiting for the next video
@vtuber_addiction_victum7576
I thought this was a joke, because you haven't uploaded in 5 years. I still love the music. And hope you get some time to release some more. P.S. love the song
@IndieVibes.
Amazing!
@kalimdras
fantastic song!
@Verndoes
The drums are amazing!
@epr8974
THEY'RE BACK!
@srivatsajoshi4028
Dude... Wow ... Just wow