Running Scared
Roy Orbison Lyrics


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Just running scared each place we go so afraid that he might show
Just running scared what would I do if he came back and wanted you
Just running scared feeling low yeah running scared you loved him so
Just running scared afraid to lose if he came back which one would you choose

Then all at once he was standing there so sure of himself his head in the air
My heart was breaking which one would it be
Then you turned around and walked away with me




Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Roy Orbison's song "Running Scared" speak of the fear of losing someone to someone else. The singer is constantly on the move, running scared from the thought of losing his lover to another man. He wonders what he would do if his lover's former flame came back into the picture and threatened to take her away. The singer is so unsure of his place in his lover's heart that he imagines losing her to this other man.


The singer's fear of losing his lover is palpable throughout the song. He feels low and defeated, always anticipating the worst. The lyrics create a sense of urgency and desperation, as he is constantly moving to avoid the possibility of his worst nightmare becoming a reality. When the other man does appear, the singer is filled with doubt and uncertainty, wondering if his lover will choose him or go back to her past love. However, in the end, she chooses the singer, leaving the other man behind and completing the narrative arc of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

Just runnin' scared
We are always scared and anxious


Each place we go
No matter where we go, we can't escape our fears


So afraid
Our fear is overwhelming


That he might show
We are scared of encountering someone from our past


Yeah, runnin' scared
Our fear is constant


What would I do
We have no idea how we would handle the situation


If he came back
If the person from our past returned


And wanted you?
If they still had feelings for you


Feelin' low
We feel sad and down


You love him so
You have strong feelings for this person from your past


Afraid to lose
We are scared of losing you to your past love if they return


If he came back
If the person from our past returned


Which one would you choose?
We are unsure which person you would choose


Then all at once he was standing there
Suddenly, the person from our past appeared


So sure of himself, his head in the air
They had confidence and pride


My heart was breaking, which one would it be?
Our heart was aching with uncertainty


You turned around and walked away with me
In the end, you chose to be with us and not your past love




Lyrics © Orbi-Lee Music, Barbara Orbison Music Company, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, R-Key Darkus
Written by: Joe Melson, Roy Orbison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@Rivercastle

Just runnin' scared each place we go
So afraid that he might show
Yeah, runnin' scared, what would I do
If he came back and wanted you


Just runnin' scared, feelin' low
Runnin' scared, you love him so
Just runnin' scared, afraid to lose
If he came back which one would you choose
Then all at once he was standing there


So sure of himself, his head in the air
My heart was breaking, which one would it be
You turned around and walked away with me.



@nikkiprimus5292

Lyrics...

Just running scared each place we go so afraid that he might show
Just running scared what would I do if he came back and wanted you
Just running scared feeling low yeah running scared you loved him so
Just running scared afraid to lose if he came back which one would you choose
Then all at once he was standing there so sure of himself his head in the air
My heart was breaking which one would it be
Then you turned around and walked away with me



All comments from YouTube:

@josephroache3176

This is an opera in just two minutes. The incomparable Roy Orbison.

@rebeccaguzman9521

joseph roache exactly ❤️

@mia-fn8vs

❤️

@ChookaaFindlebean

1:34 to 1:47 is the best part and I wish it was longer!

@grimmlon5571

ChookaaFindlebean yes

@nuk3anger134

ChookaaFindlebean agree

@chrismartin.13

ChookaaFindlebean agreed

@spinusebastian8538

Agreed

@gillianomotoso328

The song ascends into absolute euphoria

8 More Replies...

@rubygracemoseley8144

I love how much this song builds. The instruments and his voice….gah!

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