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)
Draw The Line
Running Wild Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cry of freedom ready to start
Times of darkness' pushing the line
Take a stand now tight here on time
[Pre:]
These words on the wind
Revolution's back again
[Chorus:]
Draw the line
Draw the line
When the time is right!
Classify you and push you around
Kicking's started when you're down
on the ground
[Pre]
No more self-doubt to hold you down
No more pushing when you're standing your ground
[Pre & Chorus]
The song "Draw the Line" by Running Wild is a powerful anthem of resistance against oppressors and those who seek to put down those who seek freedom. The first verse of the song begins with "Glowing fire deep in your heart" which invokes the passion of the individual who has a strong desire for freedom. The next line, "Cry of freedom ready to start" clearly articulates the desire of the individual to break free of the shackles of bondage. The "times of darkness pushing the line" is a reference to the oppressive forces that are attempting to stop this movement and the need for the individual to "take a stand now tight here on time".
The pre-chorus of the song states that "revolution's back again," suggesting that this movement is not new, but rather a continuation of something that has been happening for a long time. The chorus of the song is a powerful declaration to "draw the line" when the time is right, suggesting that the individual should stand up for their rights when it is most necessary. The second verse of the song speaks to the tactics that are used by oppressors, with the line "classify you and push you around", which invokes the sense of dehumanization and marginalization. The final line of the verse, "kicking's started when you're down on the ground", speaks to the violence that is often used to keep down those who seek freedom. The third verse speaks to the need for the individual to let go of self-doubt and take a stand when they are standing firmly on the ground.
Overall, the song "Draw the Line" is a powerful anthem of resistance against oppression and a call to action for those who seek freedom. It speaks to the need for individuals to stand up for themselves when they are most vulnerable and to not give in to the tactics of those who seek to keep them down.
Line by Line Meaning
Glowing fire deep in your heart
You feel a burning passion and desire within yourself.
Cry of freedom ready to start
You are ready to fight for your freedom and rights.
Times of darkness' pushing the line
Difficult and challenging times are testing your limits and values.
Take a stand now tight here on time
It is time for you to take a stand for what you believe in, right now.
These words on the wind
The message of revolution is spreading.
Revolution's back again
A new wave of revolution is starting.
This time, right time
This is the perfect moment for change.
Draw the line
Set a clear boundary and stand up for yourself.
Draw the line
Do not back down or compromise on what you believe in.
When the time is right!
Choose the right moment to take action and make a difference.
Classify you and push you around
Society is trying to label and control you.
Kicking's started when you're down on the ground
People may try to take advantage of you when you are vulnerable.
No more self-doubt to hold you down
Stop believing in your own limitations and doubts.
No more pushing when you're standing your ground
Do not let anyone make you compromise when you are standing up for yourself.
Pre & Chorus
The singer repeats their message to encourage people to take action.
Contributed by Tristan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.