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)
Soulstrippers
Running Wild Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The host is getting greedy, the viewers having fun
Kain is slaying Abel with words below the belt
Insult lives in the fable no truth would ever help
Hysteria is on
One day hero
Stripped down to the bone
Soulstrippers, triumph on high
Soulstrippers, truth and a lie
Soulstrippers, being a star
Soulstrippers, feathered and tarred
Fasten your seatbelt for a heavy "tour de force"
Where respect is never spelled, audacity sets the course
The lyrics to Running Wild's song "Soulstrippers" narrate the display of violence and hostility in the media industry, particularly on television. The "trench war" on TV is a metaphor for the intense competition and the cut-throat tactics employed by television hosts and the networks. The host is portrayed as greedy and the viewers are enjoying the confrontation between the two contestants. The use of the biblical reference to Kain and Abel is an allegory for how people use words as weapons to hurt and harm each other. The fable suggests that the human condition is inherently predisposed to conflict, and truth is irrelevant in this struggle for power.
The chorus of the song introduces the concept of "Soulstrippers". The term is used as a metaphor for the actors and performers who become famous at the cost of stripping away their own soul. They are portrayed as being "feathered and tarred", which is a reference to a medieval punishment where the offender's body was covered in feathers and tar. The verse "one day hero stripped down to the bone, reduced to zero" suggests that the fame and glory of these performers are short-lived and that they are eventually forgotten, reduced to nothing.
The lyrics of "Soulstrippers" provide a critique of the entertainment industry and the media's obsession with sensationalism and conflict. The song warns against the dangers of seeking fame and fortune at the cost of one's integrity and morals.
Line by Line Meaning
Fighting on the TV, the trench war is on
There's a battle going on in the media, with people taking sides like they're in a war zone.
The host is getting greedy, the viewers having fun
The person in charge is only interested in making money, while the people watching are enjoying the show.
Kain is slaying Abel with words below the belt
Like the biblical story, people are using cruel words to hurt others and gain an advantage.
Insult lives in the fable no truth would ever help
Even if there are facts that could clear things up, people are choosing to spread lies and bad-mouthing instead.
Hysteria is on
People are getting worked up and crazy over these conflicts.
One day hero
People who were once respected for their good deeds are now engaging in bad behavior.
Stripped down to the bone
The truth about these people's characters is being revealed, leaving them exposed and vulnerable.
Reduced to zero
Their previous accomplishments and reputation mean nothing now that they've shown their true colors.
Soulstrippers, triumph on high
People who manipulate and lie are succeeding and getting ahead.
Soulstrippers, truth and a lie
These deceivers mix a little bit of truth in with their lies to confuse people even more.
Soulstrippers, being a star
The liars and manipulators are becoming famous and successful despite their bad behavior.
Soulstrippers, feathered and tarred
Eventually, these people will face consequences for their actions, but for now they're continuing to profit off of their bad behavior.
Fasten your seatbelt for a heavy "tour de force"
Get ready for a wild ride full of drama and conflict.
Where respect is never spelled, audacity sets the course
In this cutthroat environment, the people who are boldly disrespectful to others are the ones who come out on top.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
William Smith
"The child is in a bagel!"
The truth will never help...
Stefan Damann
Running Wild altdeutsche Metal band und sau laut love Running Wild💥🤘