running away
Neville Staples Lyrics
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You only see the monkey not the man in me
But now I'm back, and that's a fact
Gonna show the next generation where I'm at
What I mean is to say
The way that I was is the same as I am today
Now if you're white, or if you're black
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
I was lost, but now I'm found
Some might even say that I've been around
With the crowd I would move
Mr. sophisticated just can't lose
Now in the style that I was dressed
I was the steady reason no-one could test
Yeah I was smart and I was cool
No matter how hard they tried I was no-ones fool
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
Did you hear what I say?
Now did you hear what I say?
When you look, what do you see?
You only see the monkey not the man in me
But now I'm back, and that's a fact
Gonna show the next generation where I'm at
What I mean is to say
The way that I was is the same as I am today
And if you're white, or if you're black
Remember you can't get the monkey off your back
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
In "Running Away," Neville Staples sings about how people often judge others based on their appearances without seeing the whole picture. He talks about how people would only see him as a "monkey," a derogatory term commonly used to refer to a black person, rather than seeing the man he truly is. However, now that he's back, he's determined to show the next generation who he really is and where he stands. Staples also warns that no matter the color of your skin, we all have our "monkeys" that we need to deal with and can't simply run away from them.
Staples describes how he was once lost but has since been found, indicating the discovery of his identity and purpose. He used to be part of the crowd, moving with the masses, but he now identifies himself as Mr. Sophisticated. Staples was always dressed elegantly and had a steady grip on himself. He describes his past self as smart and cool, and no one could ever bring him down. Through the song, he asserts that he has been consistent despite past judgments and prejudices, and he won't let that stop him from standing where he stands right now.
Overall, "Running Away" is a song about overcoming prejudices and standing up for oneself without fear, highlighting a positive message of hope in what could have been a negative portrayal of his past.
Line by Line Meaning
When you look, what do you see?
What do you perceive when you see me?
You only see the monkey not the man in me
You see me just as a stereotype instead of a person.
But now I'm back, and that's a fact
I am now back and I'm making sure everyone knows it.
Gonna show the next generation where I'm at
I'm going to let the new generation know about my roots.
What I mean is to say
What I am trying to convey is
The way that I was is the same as I am today
I am the same person I was before and I haven't changed.
Now if you're white, or if you're black
No matter what race you are,
Remember you can't get the monkey off your back
You can't rid yourself of stereotypes and prejudices that are imposed upon you.
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're trying to escape
You're running from the monkey man
You're running from the negative stereotypes that represent me.
I was lost, but now I'm found
I found my true identity after being lost for a long time.
Some might even say that I've been around
Some might argue that I'm experienced and well-traveled.
With the crowd I would move
I used to follow the crowd blindly.
Mr. sophisticated just can't lose
I now think I'm sophisticated and cannot be defeated.
Now in the style that I was dressed
The way I used to dress
I was the steady reason no-one could test
I was confident and no one could challenge me.
Yeah I was smart and I was cool
I thought I was intelligent and trendy.
No matter how hard they tried I was no-ones fool
No one could trick me or make me look foolish.
Did you hear what I say?
Did you understand and pay attention to my message?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT GABRIEL COOK, JACK COOK, NICK MILLS, GRAHAM SMITH, COLIN STRATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind