Although their earlier releases contained Satanic themes and imagery, from the third album on, the band's primary subject matter centered around pirates, sailing and other historical events. In 1987, the band released the album Under Jolly Roger, which was a switch to pirate-based and historical themes, creating and influencing the later named pirate metal subgenre of heavy metal in the 2000s in the process. While the historical lyrics were very superficial at first, the lyrics for later albums were intensively researched, by frontman Rolf Kasparek in particular.
After this album, from 1988 to 1992 (for the albums Port Royal, Death or Glory, Blazon Stone and Pile of Skulls), Running Wild mainly wrote historically based lyrics. In addition to lyrics about pirates, the band also addressed subjects like the Wars of the Roses, the Battle of Waterloo, or the colonization of the New World by the Conquistadors.
In April 2009, Kasparek announced that Running Wild had split up. Their intended last show was at Wacken Open Air in July that year. It was recorded for CD and DVD release and appeared as The Final Jolly Roger in 2011. The split would prove temporary as they reunited in 2012. Running Wild played live for the Wacken Open Air festival in 2015. As of 2021, the band have released 17 studio albums, with their most recent being Blood on Blood.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_Wild_(band)
Studio albums
Gates to Purgatory (1984)
Branded and Exiled (1985)
Under Jolly Roger (1987)
Port Royal (1988)
Death or Glory (1989)
Blazon Stone (1991)
Pile of Skulls (1992)
Black Hand Inn (1994)
Masquerade (1995)
The Rivalry (1998)
Victory (2000)
The Brotherhood (2002)
Rogues en Vogue (2005)
Shadowmaker (2012)
Resilient (2013)
Rapid Foray (2016)
Blood on Blood (2021)
Live albums
Ready for Boarding (1988)
Death or Glory Tour – Live (1989)
Live (2002)
The Final Jolly Roger (2011)
Compilation albums
The First Years of Piracy (1991)
The Story of Jolly Roger (1998)
The Legendary Tales (2002)
20 Years in History (2003)
Best of Adrian (2006)
Black Demons on Stage (2010)
Greatest Hits (2011)
Riding the Storm: Very Best of the Noise Years 1983-1995 (2016)
Singles and EPs
"Victim of States Power" (1984)
"Bad to the Bone" (1989)
"Wild Animal" (1990)
"Little Big Horn" (1991)
"Lead or Gold" (1992)
"The Privateer" (1994)
"The Rivalry" (1998)
"Revolution" (2000)
"Crossing the Blades" (2019)
Bad to the Bone
Running Wild Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lands bloodied - devastated
Better believe they're back for more
Pounding the world with a fist of steel
Jack booted, heavy handed
Careless of the pain we feel
Bastards - throwing life away
Oh oh oh oh
Don't tell no lies
I see through your eyes
You're bad to the bone
Oh oh oh oh
Don't tell no lies
You can't hear the cries
'Cause you're bad to the bone
Times have changed but he don't know
Zoot suit, black tie
Careless that the lies are low
One for all and all for one
Talking smooth - hidden truth
Time bomb ticking just begun
Standing alone for the world to see
Non-starter - push harder
He still believes his time will come
Small wonder - old thunder
Can't he see that he's wrong
The song Bad to the Bone by Running Wild presents a very abrasive and rebellious attitude towards the world order. The opening lines refer to a sizeable destructive period in history, with war and bloodied lands. The lyrics suggest that even though half a century has passed since these events, those same attitudes have affected modern times. The song accuses some powerful rulers and their subjects of throwing life away and killing people alive even to this day. They pound the world with a fist of steel, being jack-booted and heavy-handed, while being careless of the pain they inflict. It is interesting to note that the song doesn't explicitly say who these individuals are, but it can be interpreted that they are groups with authority or even dictators, refusing to change their ways despite the destruction they’ve caused.
The second verse describes a character who hasn't changed his attitude despite the changing times. He is described as wearing a zoot suit and black tie, talking smoothly and hiding the truth. He is also referred to as a “non-starter” and pushing harder. It’s heavily suggested that the character, in both the first and second verses, is causing or fighting for some form of destruction. The chorus repeats the idea that they are all “bad to the bone,” that they can’t be trusted, and that they have malicious intentions. As listeners, there is no one to side with, and the song conveys a message similar to that of Rage Against the Machine, that the people with power will generally protect their interests and not ours.
Line by Line Meaning
Fifty years ago with the world at war
The world was devastated due to the war fought 50 years ago.
Lands bloodied - devastated
The lands were left bloody and ruined because of the war.
Better believe they're back for more
The people who caused the war are likely to repeat their actions.
Pounding the world with a fist of steel
They are very aggressive and violent towards the world.
Jack booted, heavy handed
They are forceful and oppressive towards others.
Careless of the pain we feel
They are indifferent towards the suffering of others.
Bastards - throwing life away
They are ruthless and are willing to sacrifice lives.
Killers - Alive today
They are still alive and continue to commit killings.
Oh oh oh oh
Don't tell no lies
I see through your eyes
You're bad to the bone
The artist sees through their lies and knows they are evil.
Oh oh oh oh
Don't tell no lies
You can't hear the cries
'Cause you're bad to the bone
They are so heartless that they cannot hear the cries of those they harm.
Times have changed but he don't know
Zoot suit, black tie
Although times have changed, this person still dresses in outdated styles.
Careless that the lies are low
One for all and all for one
They do not care that they are using untrue statements, and they believe in everyone working together.
Talking smooth - hidden truth
Time bomb ticking just begun
They are trying to sound convincing but are withholding some important information, and a big problem is about to begin.
Standing alone for the world to see
Non-starter - push harder
He still believes his time will come
Despite being unsuccessful so far, they still believe their time of greatness will arrive.
Small wonder - old thunder
Can't he see that he's wrong
It is not surprising that this person is old and mistaken in their beliefs.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAN HAMILTON FINLAY, ROLF KASPAREK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@novatonoob1386
Fifty years ago with the world at war
Lands bloodied - devastated
Better believe they're back for more
Pounding the world with a fist of steel
Jack booted, heavy handed
Careless of the pain we feel
Bastards - throwing life away
Killers - Alive today
Oh oh oh oh
Don't tell no lies
I see through your eyes
You're bad to the bone
Oh oh oh oh
Don't tell no lies
You can't hear the cries
'Cause you're bad to the bone
Times have changed but he don't know
Zoot suit, black tie
Careless that the lies are low
One for all and all for one
Talking smooth - hidden truth
Time bomb ticking just begun
Standing alone for the world to see
Non-starter - push harder
He still believes his time will come
Small wonder - old thunder
Can't he see that he's wrong
@chrisdeathmetal8343
Du Heavy Metal à son meilleur. Le top! Running Wild est vraiment un groupe légendaire. Riffs puissants, exaltants fabuleux et épiques. Merci Rock'n Rolf pour ton Metal toujours majestueux !
@Koernchen2708
My favorite band where i was 16....
Now i am 51:)
@mikethegreek4408
My favorite band when I was 62...Now I am 26 ;)
@WhoisVinnie
So 1972?
@BlaspheBeast
That's awesome man.
Found them at 14, now 44.
@tipsyguitar3268
Running Wild ladies and gentlemen! This is what I call perfect metal song! I remember watching death or glory tour on vhs. Rock’n’rolf was killing there!! He had amazing musicians on that tour.
@w7class
Majk moti is a great guitarist!
@dennisgrabert8360
Its a crime that these guys don't get more airtime.
@kamilziemian995
Heavy metal as a whole doesn't get 1% of airtime that it deserves. This is at least my opinion.
@yucatansuckaman5726
@@kamilziemian995 that's fact my friend.