Reid’s first single from her album ‘’Preservation’’, "Richard", saw her nominated for the APRA Silver Scroll award in 2017, regarded as New Zealand’s most important songwriting award. Reid herself was nominated for Best Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Best Alternative Artist.
Runway
Nadia Reid Lyrics
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i will know
where i have come from
in the shadow of the doubt that meets the morning
i have come,
i have faced it
i bore witness
to who he grew to be
i will never know
why a good man will go
or a bird will fall from the sky that she was made for
a heart will beat
out of fear of its defeat
and the love you left behind
will no longer stand to be
when i hit the runway in my armour
i will know
what i am made of
in the arms of my daughter comes an answer
i have seen what she will know
i will never know why
a good man will die
or a bird will fall from the sky that she was made for
a heart will beat
out of fear of its defeat
and the love you left behind
will no longer stand to be
when i hit the ground
in all my glory
i will know
where i have come from
in the shadow of the doubt that meets the morning
i have come
i have known
The lyrics of "Runway" by Nadia Reid are profound and poetic. The song speaks about life's uncertainties, the inevitability of death, and the mystery surrounding why bad things happen to good people. The first stanza talks about hitting the ground in all of one's glory and knowing where they came from. This line may refer to death, with the ground being the final resting place, and a sense of understanding oneself better upon passing. The second stanza delves into facing doubts in the morning and coming through them. The third stanza talks about the time it takes to understand someone and witnessing their growth. The following lines speak of questioning why bad things happen and the fleeting nature of love. The fourth stanza repeats the first, but with some hope and an answer in the form of the singer's daughter. The repetition of "I will never know why" seems to emphasize how we cannot comprehend the universe's ways.
Overall, the song's message seems to be about accepting the unknown and finding peace within oneself, even in the face of potential adversity. The line "in the shadow of the doubt that meets the morning, I have come, I have known" seems to convey a sense of acceptance and empowerment in the singer's journey.
Line by Line Meaning
when i hit the ground in all my glory
When I finally succeed and reach my goal, I will feel accomplished and proud.
i will know where i have come from
I will have a deep understanding and appreciation of my past and the journey that led me to where I am now.
in the shadow of the doubt that meets the morning
In the face of uncertainty and fear, I am still willing to face each new day and its challenges.
i have come, i have faced it
I have overcome obstacles and challenges on my journey and I am stronger for it.
in the time it took to really understand him
Over a period of time, I came to truly understand someone and their character.
i bore witness to who he grew to be
I watched and observed as this person matured and developed into the person they are now.
i will never know why a good man will go
Sometimes good people pass away unexpectedly and it's something we may never fully understand.
or a bird will fall from the sky that she was made for
Unpredictable and unexplainable things can happen, even to those who seem destined for greatness.
a heart will beat out of fear of its defeat
People may act out of fear of losing something they hold dear, like love or a sense of security.
and the love you left behind will no longer stand to be
Sometimes love fades or is no longer enough to hold a relationship together.
when i hit the runway in my armour
When I am fully prepared and equipped for the challenges ahead, I will face them head-on.
i will know what i am made of
I will have a clear understanding of my strengths and weaknesses and be ready to face any obstacle.
in the arms of my daughter comes an answer
Spending time with loved ones, like my daughter, can provide clarity and answers to life's questions.
i have seen what she will know
I have a sense of the knowledge and wisdom that my daughter will gain through her own life experiences.
i have known
I have faced challenges and come out on the other side, gaining knowledge and understanding of what it means to persevere.
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.