THE MOST BEAUTIFUL is Rookie of the Year's third studio album and marks the shining moment in Dunson's evolution from acoustic-pop upstart to shimmering indie troubadour. Rookie of the Year began as a solo acoustic project, then evolved into a full band, and has been stripped down and rebuilt several times since, giving his audience a different perspective with each record and tour.
"The new album is a fresh start for me," says the Fayetteville, North Carolina-based Dunson. "It takes elements from the past records but focuses much more on the overall songwriting effort." THE MOST BEAUTIFUL is a tightly-constructed collaborative effort between Dunson, producer Matt Malpass (Copeland, Lydia) and friends including Matt Thiessen (of the Grammy-nominated Relient K) and Erika Lauren (of MTV's The Real World: DC), among others.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL chronicles Dunson's growth as both a musician and a person. "The song 'Run Away' is all about creating a new adventure," he says of the vast soundscape that opens the album. "Then there's 'Turn the Page,' which is about letting go of the past—something that I've had to do as Rookie of the Year has evolved over the years." Songs on the record efficiently dance between genres while ultimately yearning for a brighter future, endearing Rookie of the Year to many.
Dunson's packed tour schedule and willingness to play everywhere he can have enabled him to connect with fans of all ages. "At first, my audience was primarily teenagers, but now at shows I see younger fans all the way up to parents singing along with the music. It's really a cool atmosphere," he explains. "I'd like to think there's a universal element to my music where you never really have to grow out of Rookie of the Year."
Rookie of the Year has sold over 70,000 records in the last 5 years and songs have appeared on MTV's Laguna Beach and The Hills. Radio stations as far away as Indonesia have also fallen in love with "Frustrated" off of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL. With over 10 million plays on social networking sites and previous tours with Mutemath, LFO, Secondhand Serenade, and Gym Class Heroes, Rookie of the Year has earned a place as one of the hardest-working artists in today's music scene.
"I write music to help people get through the bad times in their lives," says Dunson. "Life is an adventure and I hope THE MOST BEAUTIFUL can be the soundtrack to it."
For fans of: Secondhand Serenade, Relient K, JamisonParker, Sherwood, The Rocket Summer
Run Away
Rookie of the Year Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is this real like we should be
And all your time is spent with his lies
You picked your guess
Does it have to be like this
Remember what it's like to be alive?
Let's make a different ending to this story
Let's find out who we are
Close your eyes
I'll take the wheel let's just drive
Looked through the rear view as the city's getting smaller
Heading south for a new sunrise
Look out the window as your hair blows on forever
And as I whisper
Run away with me like your favorite movie
Let's make a different ending to this story
Run away with me like your favorite movie
Let's make a different ending to this story
Let's find out who we are
We drive the car down the coastline
All alone by the beach in the rain
Could you live in this moment for the rest of your life?
In this moment?
Run away with me like your favorite movie
Let's make a different ending to this story
Run away with me like your favorite movie
Let's make a different ending to this story
Let's find out who we are
Let's find out who we are
In "Run Away" by Rookie of the Year, the singer is pleading with their partner to leave their current situation and start a new life together. The partner is with someone who is untruthful and not treating them well, and the singer believes that they could have something better together. The first stanza sets the scene, with the partner being held up like a trophy by someone who doesn't truly value them. The singer tries to remind their partner of what it means to truly live and experience life, asking them if they want to continue living like this.
Next, the chorus emphasizes the idea of running away together and creating a new story, one where they find out who they truly are. The singer wants to take control and help their partner find a new direction in life. The second verse describes driving away from the city and heading towards a new sunrise, with the wind blowing through their hair. The bridge switches from driving to being parked by the beach in the rain, with the singer asking their partner if they could stay in this moment forever.
Overall, "Run Away" is a song about creating a new beginning and finding oneself. The singer wants to show their partner that they deserve better and that they can make a different ending to their current story. The song invokes the idea of escapism as a way to create a life that is fulfilling and meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
He holds her up like a trophy
He treats her like an object to be displayed and admired by others.
Is this real like we should be
Questioning the authenticity of the relationship and whether it meets their expectations.
And all your time is spent with his lies
The lyrics suggest the partner is untruthful and not trustworthy.
You picked your guess
The person being sung to has made a decision they weren't sure of and ended up with a less than satisfying result.
Does it have to be like this
Questioning if their current situation is the only path available or if they have other options.
Remember what it's like to be alive?
Asking the person being sung to whether they still feel alive or if they have lost their passion and sense of self.
Run away with me like your favorite movie
Inviting the person to escape reality and join the singer in an adventure, just like in their favorite movie.
Let's make a different ending to this story
Proposing that the two individuals can create a unique and better conclusion to their own love story.
Let's find out who we are
Suggesting that the journey of running away together will help them better understand themselves as individuals and as a couple.
Close your eyes
Encouraging the person being sung to let go of their worries and trust the singer to guide them.
I'll take the wheel let's just drive
Taking the lead and suggesting they just drive without a plan, leaving behind their worries and problems.
Looked through the rear view as the city's getting smaller
Observing their escape from their past and the problems in their life fade away.
Heading south for a new sunrise
Metaphorically moving towards a new beginning and leaving behind the darkness of their past.
Look out the window as your hair blows on forever
Taking notice of the beauty of the present moment as they drive and appreciate the small things in life.
Run away with me like your favorite movie
Repeating the chorus to emphasize the invitation to escape reality and create their own love story.
Let's find out who we are
Again emphasizing the journey of discovering each other and themselves.
We drive the car down the coastline
Describing the adventure they are on and the beauty of their surroundings.
All alone by the beach in the rain
Painting a romantic picture of the two of them together, experiencing nature in its fullness.
Could you live in this moment for the rest of your life?
Asking the person being sung to whether they would be happy with living in that moment forever.
In this moment?
Reiterating the question and emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment.
Contributed by Brooklyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Erika9705
Hii(: I've been looking for this picture everyywhere on internet and I can't find it... Would you mind telling me where to get it? Thanks!