http://www.nathanielrateliff.com/
Members:
Nathaniel Rateliff
Patrick Meese
Julie Davis
Joseph Pope III
James Han
Falling Faster Than You Can Run
Nathaniel Rateliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aim
Breakin away
On the feet of you all
And catchin the stone
With a side of my head
Hold me back
Im takin the tracks
So leave me alone
You can see me fall
Faster than
You can run
Take it away
If you're feelin its wrong
Kickin it back
Watch it dissolve
Tug on the line
Chained to the wall
I heard you call
We're not gonna make it at all
Runnin
Im gonna fall
Probably should
Well catch me
You never could
I planned out the distance
From where you stood
When I hit the ground
Gonna laugh out loud
Gonna lay there a while and stare at the clouds
Baby it looks bad
Or maybe from the angle im at
Well i tear off my shirt
And wrap it around
Your wound
The lyrics to Nathaniel Rateliff's song Falling Faster Than You Can Run depict a person who is trying to escape something or someone. The first verse talks about making a run for it, but not without catching a stone with the side of their head in the process. The second verse goes on to describe the struggle of being chased and feeling chained to a wall. Despite this, the person is determined to keep running faster than anyone can catch them.
The chorus "You can see me fall, faster than you can run" talks about the inevitability of failure and how it will come crashing down faster than anyone can outrun. The line "I planned out the distance from where you stood / When I hit the ground gonna laugh out loud" shows how the person knows they are doomed to fail but has come to terms with it and even finds somewhat of a grim humor in their failure.
The final lines of the song "Baby it looks bad / Or maybe from the angle I'm at / Well I tear off my shirt / And wrap it around your wound" show a sense of empathy and compassion for someone else's suffering, despite the singer's own troubles.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of being trapped and knowing there's no escape, but still finding a way to run and laugh in the face of failure.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on the run
I am attempting to escape or flee from somewhere or something.
Aim
I have a goal or destination in mind.
Breakin away
I am trying to break free from something.
On the feet of you all
I am relying on the help and support of others to get away.
And catchin the stone
I am metaphorically catching the consequences of my actions.
With a side of my head
I am feeling physical pain or discomfort as a result.
Hold me back
Someone is trying to prevent me from getting away.
Walkin it home
I am trying to get back to where I belong.
Im takin the tracks
I am following a specific path or route.
So leave me alone
I want to be by myself and not have any interference.
You can see me fall
I am likely to fail or experience negative consequences.
Faster than
My failure will happen more quickly than someone else's success.
You can run
This phrase is a continuation of the previous line, implying that even if someone else tries to outrun my failure, they will not be successful.
Take it away
Someone can have the thing or situation in question.
If you're feelin its wrong
Someone should only take it away if they feel like it's the wrong thing for me to have.
Kickin it back
I am resisting or pushing against something.
Watch it dissolve
I am watching something fall apart or disappear, likely due to my resistance to it.
Tug on the line
Someone is trying to control or restrain me.
Chained to the wall
I am feeling trapped or bound in some way.
I heard you call
Someone is calling out to me, likely trying to help or offer advice.
We're not gonna make it at all
The situation or goal at hand is unlikely to be successful.
Runnin
I am moving quickly.
Im gonna fall
I am likely to fail or experience negative consequences.
Probably should
It is likely that I will fail or experience negative consequences, and it may be the most reasonable outcome.
Well catch me
I am hoping someone will catch me if I fall or fail.
You never could
The person I am addressing has been unable to help or support me in the past.
I planned out the distance
I have prepared for the negative consequences I am likely to experience.
From where you stood
I have taken into account the perspective or position of the person I am addressing.
When I hit the ground
When I experience negative consequences, likely through failure.
Gonna laugh out loud
I will find the situation humorous, even though it is negative.
Gonna lay there a while and stare at the clouds
I will take some time to reflect and think about the situation before moving on.
Baby it looks bad
The situation appears to be negative or hopeless.
Or maybe from the angle im at
There is a possibility that the situation is not as bad as it appears to me due to my current perspective or position.
Well i tear off my shirt
I am removing something from my body and repurposing it for another use.
And wrap it around
I am using the item to cover something or someone.
Your wound
The thing or person I am covering is injured or in pain.
Writer(s): Nathaniel David Rateliff
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Butch Evans
I am 64 years old, and just discovered this on you tube. It touches my soul.
Thewitt
Who ever is touching you that's wrong but it's your fault . Probably something you were wearing. Or maybe a look you gave em, anyway sorry to hear about your being touching-ed, you should see someone about it. Just keep it to yourself, it's for the best.
Wendy Brownhill
You touch my soul, Nathaniel, Your lyrics and music are so powerful .
Robert Huck
I've listened to this now 7 times. Just good to reassure myself I made the right choice.
Felicity Kay
This album got me through an insanely tough time in my life and I’ll always be grateful for the sound of the song playing in my headphones while I slept on the floor...when I hit the ground, I’m gonna laugh out loud
chris Walker
Me 2
Greg Ervin
Love songs that I love but I think of no one.
Darlene W
when one discovers one of the best its hard to stop listening... thank you Mr. & Mrs. Rateliff for having such a talented son and letting him run with it.
Bill Yox
To me, they concede to a relationship that, despite the dream of keeping, comes the realization that it is over. Although its still beautiful, it cannot be, and he knew it for long enough to measure its end. I believe this guy feels what he writes, and is on a level all his own, with good musicians along with him. I cannot help feeling drawn to this song, the self deprecating tone, as it haunts us. Well me, anyway. Awesome.
corrie vanvelt
deze man zingt met zijn hart en ziel erg mooi bedankt👍