Born in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, he attended Loyola High School and McGill University. Roberts formed the band William in 1993. The band's name was changed to Northstar in 1996. Although the band gained some notice in independent rock circles, they couldn't break through to a national audience, and broke up in the late 1990s. Roberts' bandmate George Donoso went on to significant success in indie rock circles with The Dears, but Roberts struggled for several years afterward.
In 2000 Roberts began his solo career by independently releasing his first studio album, Brother Down. The album was largely unsuccessful but the title track would later go on to be re-recorded and re-released on a six-song EP titled The Inhuman Condition. The EP sold slowly at first, but by the summer of 2002 Roberts was all over the Canadian airwaves: his first single "Brother Down" had become one of the biggest Canadian hits of the year, and the follow up single "Don't Walk Away Eileen" quickly followed suit.
Roberts then signed to Universal Music, releasing his full-length debut, We Were Born in a Flame, in 2003. That album's singles, "Where Have All the Good People Gone?", "Hard Road", "Brother Down" and "Don't Walk Away Eileen", became major hits, especially in Canada.
The band's album Chemical City, produced with Joseph Donovan and released on April 11, 2006, got major radio play in Canada after its release, especially the single "The Gate".
The band's latest release, the album Love at the End of the World (May 20, 2008), included the song "Them Kids", which reached #1 on the Canadian indie chart (the R3-30), and also #1 on CFNY's Thursday 30 chart.
The band released the album Collider on May 10, 2011.
On The Run
Sam Roberts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm just having too much fun
And I feel your eyes each time we meet
And I'm just staring at my feet
Yeah, you got me on the run
You got me hiding from the sun
You're so cold I get a chill
Yeah, you got me on the run
Baby, baby, you're so cruel
You got me breakin' all the rules
Baby, baby, you're so cruel
You got me breakin' all the rules
And I'm so sad I want to die
You tell me no but I ask why
I got a fever that won't stop
I'm waiting for your bomb to drop
Alright
Baby, baby, you're so cruel
You got me breakin' all the rules
Baby, baby, you're so cruel
You got me breakin' all the rules
'Cause I bleed rock n' roll
Yeah I bleed rock n' roll
And I would die for rock n' roll
Yeah I would die for rock n' roll
Do you believe in rock n' roll
I said do you believe in rock n' roll
You got me breaking all the rules
Baby baby you're so cruel
You got me breaking all the rules
Baby baby you're so cruel
Baby, baby, you're so cruel
You got me breaking all the rules
Baby, baby, you're so cruel
You got me breaking all the rules
You got me breaking all the rules
Baby, baby, you're so cruel
The lyrics to Sam Roberts's song "On The Run" depict a relationship where the singer feels trapped and controlled by their partner. The opening line, "Baby, you got me on the run," sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer reveals they cannot escape their partner's grip. Despite feeling trapped, the singer admits to having fun and enjoying their partner's company. However, their partner's cold demeanor and controlling nature eventually take a toll on the singer as they continue to break down their will and make them feel sad and feverish.
The singer's love for rock n' roll is also a prominent theme throughout the song. They declare they would die for rock n' roll and bleed it, likening the genre to a belief system. This shows that even though they are struggling in their relationship, they still have a passion that helps them cope with their pain.
Overall, the song is about being controlled and trapped in a toxic relationship while finding solace in rock n' roll music. The lyrics are brought to life by Sam Roberts's signature indie rock sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, you got me on the run
My love, you've got me in a state of constant movement and evasion
But I'm just having too much fun
Despite running from you, I find pleasure in my continuous attempts to escape
And I feel your eyes each time we meet
Whenever our paths cross, I sense your gaze fixed on me
And I'm just staring at my feet
In response, I divert my attention downward towards my own feet
Yeah, you got me on the run
Again, you have left me in a state of constant movement and evasion
You got me hiding from the sun
At times, I am avoiding the light and warmth of the sun as a result of my attempts to evade you
You're so cold I get a chill
Your demeanor and actions towards me have a chilling effect on me
And you keep breaking down my will
The actions and words you express towards me reduce my will and confidence
Baby, baby, you're so cruel
My love, your behavior towards me is cruel and harsh
You got me breakin' all the rules
I find myself disregarding societal norms and expectations in response to your influence
And I'm so sad I want to die
At times, I feel so depressed that I wish to no longer exist
You tell me no but I ask why
You often deny my requests or suggestions, but I continue to question your motives and reasons
I got a fever that won't stop
I have an intense and passionate longing for you that persists and remains unquenched
I'm waiting for your bomb to drop
I anticipate a sudden and surprising event or action from you that will impact me profoundly
Baby, baby, you're so cruel
Once again, your behavior towards me is described as cruel and harsh
You got me breaking all the rules
Your influence upon me has led me to disregard societal norms and expectations
Cause I bleed rock n' roll
My passion and love for music, specifically rock and roll, runs through my veins and influences my actions and decisions
Yeah I would die for rock n' roll
My love and passion for music is so strong that I would sacrifice my life for it if necessary
Do you believe in rock n' roll
I question your perspective and point of view regarding rock and roll, a significant part of my life
I said do you believe in rock n' roll
I am repeating my question and emphasizing its significance to me
You got me breaking all the rules
Once again, you have influenced me to disregard societal norms and expectations
Baby, baby, you're so cruel
Your actions and behavior towards me are still described as cruel and harsh
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Sam Lewis Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TuRi MenDoZa
Este ritmo esta muy bien, me gusto, al set list :)