Runnin'
Pharrell Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the kids eating ice cream with their cousins (cousins)
I was studyin' while you was playing the dozens (dozens)
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
Runnin' from the man (man) runnin' from the badge (badge)
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
Runnin' toward our plans (plans) and the judges hands (hands)
I know they say you crawl 'fore your walk
But in my mind I already jog
If I stand still I cannot get far
They want the Moon, I'm on Mars
Sometime my mind dives deep
When I'm runnin'
I don't want no free ride
I'm just sick and tired of runnin'
Some nights I cry
Cause I can see the day comin'
Together we'll fly
Oh, but no more runnin'
You and I are not different from each other (other)
Shut our eyes, when we slumber I see numbers (numbers)
Black and white, we're computers, I am colored (colored)
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
From runnin' to exams (exams) to jobs for a man (man)
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
In the law of the land (land) the women were often banned (banned)
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
I know they say you crawl 'fore your walk
But in my mind I already jog
If I stand still I cannot get far
They want the Moon, I'm on Mars
Sometime my mind dives deep
When I'm runnin'
I don't want no free ride
I'm just sick and tired of runnin'
Some nights I cry
Cause I can see the day comin'
Together we fly
Oh, but no more runnin'
I know they say you crawl 'fore your walk
But in my mind I already jog
If I stand still I cannot get far
They want the Moon, I'm on Mars
Sometime my mind dives deep
When I'm runnin'
I don't want no free ride
I'm just sick and tired of runnin'
Some nights I cry
Cause I can see the day comin'
Together we fly
Oh, but no more runnin'
The lyrics of Pharrell Williams's song "Runnin'" convey a sense of frustration with the limitations and injustices that the artist encounters in his life. Pharrell reflects on his experience growing up in Virginia and sees the heat of many summers as an oven, while children go around eating ice cream. While Pharrell studied, others were playing games, and he resents when they try to pretend otherwise. The chorus evokes a sense of running, both towards plans and away from authority figures, and urges others not to pretend to have been there when they were not. Pharrell sees his own ambition as an escape from the limitations imposed upon him and imagines himself already jogging, while others are still crawling towards their dreams.
Throughout the song, Pharrell reflects on the ways that society can cut off people's opportunities, particularly for women and people of color. He acknowledges the persistence of discrimination even as he dreams of being on Mars - in a place altogether outside the restrictive social order of Earth. Despite the many obstacles he has faced, Pharrell insists that he is determined to keep running and not allow anyone to give him a free ride. While he is exhausted from the struggle, he refuses to let it break him and sees a brighter future ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Summertime in Virginia was a oven (oven)
Virginia summers were extremely hot
All the kids eating ice cream with their cousins (cousins)
While children enjoyed summer treats with their family
I was studyin' while you was playing the dozens (dozens)
While someone else was socializing, the singer was working hard
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
Do not pretend you experienced something you did not
Runnin' from the man (man) runnin' from the badge (badge)
Trying to escape from the authority and the law enforcement
Runnin' toward our plans (plans) and the judges hands (hands)
Struggling towards goals and waiting for the final verdict
I know they say you crawl 'fore your walk
But in my mind I already jog
If I stand still I cannot get far
They want the Moon, I'm on Mars
The singer is eager to move forward and achieve great things, but feels like others are holding them back
Sometime my mind dives deep
When I'm runnin'
While running, the artist often reflects on their thoughts and feelings
I don't want no free ride
I'm just sick and tired of runnin'
The artist does not want unearned success, but is exhausted from all their hard work and struggles
Some nights I cry
Cause I can see the day comin'
The artist experiences moments of doubt and fear, but remains hopeful for the future
Together we'll fly
Oh, but no more runnin'
The singer is ready to soar towards success with others, but is determined to leave their struggles behind
You and I are not different from each other (other)
Shut our eyes, when we slumber I see numbers (numbers)
Black and white, we're computers, I am colored (colored)
Regardless of race, the artist sees everyone as equal, but acknowledges racial differences exist
From runnin' to exams (exams) to jobs for a man (man)
The struggles of running towards academic and career success
In the law of the land (land) the women were often banned (banned)
Acknowledging gender-based discrimination in the legal system
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PHARRELL WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hend
Runnin' - Lyrics
Summertime in Virginia was a oven
All the kids eating ice cream with their cousins
I was studyin' while you was playing the dozens, dozens
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
Runnin' from the man, man runnin' from the badge, badge
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
Runnin' toward our plans, plans and the judges hands, hands
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
I know they say you crawl 'fore you walk
But in my mind I already jog
If I stand still I cannot get far
They want the Moon, I'm on Mars
Sometime my mind dives deep
When I'm runnin'
I don't want no free ride
I'm just sick and tired of runnin'
Some nights I cry
'Cause I can see the day comin'
Together we fight
Oh, but no more runnin'
You and I are not different from each other
Shut our eyes, when we slumber I see numbers
Black and white, we're computers, I am colored
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
From runnin' to exams, exams to jobs for a man, man
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
In the law of the land, land the women were often banned, banned
Don't act like you was there when you wasn't
I know they say you crawl 'fore you walk
But in my mind I already jog
If I stand still I cannot get far
They want the Moon, I'm on Mars
Sometime my mind dives deep
When I'm runnin'
I don't want no free ride
I'm just sick and tired of runnin'
Some nights I cry
'Cause I can see the day comin'
Together we fight
Oh, but no more runnin'
I know they say you crawl 'fore you walk
But in my mind I already jog
If I stand still I cannot get far
They want the Moon, I'm on Mars
Sometime my mind dives deep
When I'm runnin'
I don't want no free ride
I'm just sick and tired of runnin'
Some nights I cry
'Cause I can see the day comin'
Together we fight
Oh, but no more runnin'
ssendijja derrick
Pharrell has never disappointed me.
Bissola
The same for me ^^
Mia Carter
Me either. Always on point. I'm only disappointed that he has unfinished, unreleased songs.
Adam.
ssendijja derrick never disappoints me either
AwesomeAC
ssendijja derrick never disappointed
yewon
preach
Kolegate
What I've always liked about Pharrell is how diverse he is with music. One minute he's producing, next minute he's doing synth-rock with his band N.E.R.D, then the next he's rapping with Future or T.I. and next thing you know he's singing songs like 'Happy'.
When he's eventually done making music (if that ever happens, lol), he 110% deserves to go into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.
AnuJ Soni
our generation quincy jones
Noah Johnson
Yes!!!!!
AnuJ Soni
hey noah here u from ?