Oleander was formed by Fred Nelson Jr. (drums), Doug Eldridge (bass guitar), Ric Ivanisevich (guitar) and Thomas Flowers (vocals, guitar) in the mid-90s. Their debut was Oleander, an EP released on Fine Records in 1996, which they followed with the full-length album Shrinking the Blob in 1997. The song "Down When I'm Loaded" became a regional hit, and Oleander signed with Universal Records.
During this time, Nelson left the band and was replaced with Scott Devours. Their major label debut was 1999's February Son which featured the hit singles "Why I'm Here" and "I Walk Alone." After supporting the album with a tour, they released Unwind in 2001. The song "Champion" became a hit, and a symbol of the sacrifice of firefighters during the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York.
Some time later, the band parted ways with Universal Records and moved to Sanctuary, where they released Joyride in 2003.
In November, 2003, drummer Scott Devours issued a statement announcing he was leaving the band to join Ima Robot. The decision was amicable.
The band is on an unofficial hiatus. No statement has been released by the band, however vocalist Thomas Flowers is currently collaborating with the band The Black Summer Crush. The Black Summer Crush have parted ways with front-man Thomas Flowers (ex-Oleander). As a result, the band will now be fronted by Jay Buchanan and have changed the band name to The Pleasant Return. Flowers is rumored to be reuniting with his former Oleander band-mates.
RUNAWAY TRAIN
Oleander Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a lesson that you learn in time
It's a worry that you feel
Another scar that you conceal from sight
Have I been away too long
For me to say?
Have I been away too long
From a runaway train
Caught beneath the wheels
Of a runaway train
Every moment of the day
I feel it crumbling away, if I
I only have myself to blame
For all the cracks within the frame that I find
Have I been away too long
For me to say?
Have I been away too long
For things to change?
From a runaway train
Caught beneath the wheels
Of a runaway train
Now I know how it feels
To be a runaway
To be a runaway, hey yeah
To be a runaway, yeah
The lyrics of Oleander's song "Runaway Train" speak to the journey of life and the struggles and scars that come with it. The first verse speaks to the idea that experiences in life, both good and bad, shape who we become. It's a corner that one turns and a lesson that is learned over time. The second line speaks to the worry and pain that one can feel, but often keep hidden from sight like a concealed scar.
The chorus then speaks to the feeling of being caught in the chaos and confusion of life, like a runaway train that is careening out of control. The singer admits that they may have been away too long to enact any real change, and the feeling of helplessness and lack of control is palpable. The second verse continues with this idea, stating that every moment of the day feels as though things are crumbling away, and the blame lies with oneself for the cracks in the frame.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a corner that you turn
It's a pivotal moment in life that changes everything.
It's a lesson that you learn in time
It's something you realize after a lot of experience and time.
It's a worry that you feel
It's an unsettling feeling that keeps you up at night.
Another scar that you conceal from sight
It's another painful memory that you try to hide from the world.
Have I been away too long For me to say?
I've been gone for so long, I'm not sure if I still understand what's going on.
From a runaway train Caught beneath the wheels Of a runaway train
I'm caught up in a situation that's out of my control and it's taking me down.
Every moment of the day I feel it crumbling away, if I I only have myself to blame For all the cracks within the frame that I find
Every moment feels like it's falling apart, and I realize that I'm the one to blame for it.
Now I know how it feels To be a runaway To be a runaway, hey yeah To be a runaway, yeah
I finally understand what it's like to be out of control and running away from myself.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOUGLAS JAMES ELDRIDGE, RICHARD C. IVANISEVICH, THOMAS ALLAN FLOWERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mirandasinmas5666
Its a corner that you turn
Its a lesson that you learn in time
Its a worry that you feel
Another scar that you conceal
From sight
Have I been away too long for me to say?
Have I been away too long for things to change?
From a runaway train
Caught beneath the wheels
Of a runaway train
Every moment of the day
I feel it crumbling away if I
I only have myself to blame
For all the cracks within the frame that I find
From a runaway train
Caught beneath the wheels
Of a runaway train
I know how it feels
To be a runaway train
Its alright, its ok, its alright
@JPeraltavideos
I just watched Bang Bang You're Dead. This song is one of the keys for that great ending.
@wintersblackwings
i watched this film on Showtime a few years back...it made me remember my hard times at high school...the messege was loud and clear.
@jrvy74
Most people discovered this song/video due to the movie... I discovered this movie due to this song/video. Both are outstanding. There's no doubt about that...
@jeanniejohnson2376
A very good song and seriously one of the best movies that I have seen Tom Cavanagh play in.
@BlackWerewolf27
Just watched this movie a couple weeks ago. It STICKS with you. It's brilliant.
@donnarynn
I never knew this was by Oleander! I've been looking for this since I saw Bang Bang You're Dead! <3
@Jadarendir
Favourite movie. Can't believe more people don't know it. Awesome song too.
@iTylerHimself
Such a powerful song that fits the movie perfectly.
@MrKevinEaddy
Met Oleander at Aftershock, they killed it and were hella cool too. Tom gave me marriage life lessons, basically told me happiness is not with a hot chick, love you guys can't wait to see you again
@anonjay892
Bang Bang You're Dead. Didn't seem like a changing movie at all, until I watched it. This song was played in the end credits. Trevor made a change. Caught beneath the wheels of a runaway Train, he made a change. I love the movie and song.