The band first reached substantial commercial success with its third studio album Fight for the Rock (1986), which peaked at number 158 on the Billboard 200. Its next four albums—Hall of the Mountain King (1987), Gutter Ballet (1989), Streets: A Rock Opera (1991) and Edge of Thorns (1993)—were also successful but more critically acclaimed than Fight for the Rock. On October 17, 1993, six months after the release of Edge of Thorns, guitarist Criss Oliva was killed in a car accident. Following his death, Jon (along with producer Paul O'Neill) decided to continue Savatage in memory of his brother. The band released four more studio albums, and went through several line-up changes before going on an extended hiatus in 2002. During the years—partly even before the hiatus—members founded various new bands such as Jon Oliva's Pain, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Circle II Circle and Doctor Butcher. On August 2, 2014, Savatage announced that they were reuniting for the 2015 Wacken Open Air; despite having discussed the possibility of more shows and new music, the band went on hiatus once again. Although Savatage technically remains inactive, half of the members of the band claimed in interviews during throughout 2020 and 2021 that they have been working on new material for a possible follow-up to Poets and Madmen (2001).
Studio albums
Sirens (1983)
Power of the Night (1985)
Fight for the Rock (1986)
Hall of the Mountain King (1987)
Gutter Ballet (1989)
Streets: A Rock Opera (1991)
Edge of Thorns (1993)
Handful of Rain (1994)
Dead Winter Dead (1995)
The Wake of Magellan (1997)
Poets and Madmen (2001)
On the Run
Savatage Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Six days in a haze, locked behind a door
Searchlight on my trail, I hear the sirens wail
Footsteps close behind, they're after me now
Moonlight lights the way to a clearing up ahead
____light through the trees, the hunter flees again
How long can I run? I feel it's just begun
Oh, on the run, oh, on the run, run, run
I can't run anymore, they move this way too fast
Finally caught up to me, a victim of my past
I feel them closing in, the bad guy just didn't win
I will not go back, I'm still on the run
Oh, on the run, oh, on the run, run, run, run, run, run
The lyrics to Savatage's song "On the Run" tell the story of a person who has been running from their past and is now being chased by the authorities. The first stanza describes the physical exhaustion of constantly running and the fear of being chased. The second stanza depicts the moment where the person realizes that they cannot outrun their pursuers, and that they are a victim of their past mistakes. Despite being caught up to, the person refuses to give up and insists on continuing to run away.
The song is about the universal theme of running away from one's problems and past mistakes. The lyrics are emotionally charged and create a sense of tension and desperation, which are common feelings when running away from something. The use of imagery throughout helps the listener to imagine the situation in which the person is running, which makes it easier to connect with the song on a personal level. Overall, the song is a powerful reflection of the human desire to escape one's past, and the inevitable consequences of such actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Ow! My legs are breakin', can't take no more
Exhausted and physically spent, unable to continue running any further.
Six days in a haze, locked behind a door
Imprisoned and trapped for six days without food, water, or even being made aware of what he's being held for.
Searchlight on my trail, I hear the sirens wail
Pursued by law enforcement - searchlights and siren noises indicate his immediate presence in the vicinity.
Footsteps close behind, they're after me now
Chased by the police, the individual is nearly caught and is able to feel the weight of their footsteps almost upon him.
Moonlight lights the way to a clearing up ahead
The peaceful appearance of moonlight provides a glimmer of hope and escape for the individual, possibly finding an open area to run.
____light through the trees, the hunter flees again
The light shining through the dense array of trees provides momentary refuge for the individual, causing the pursuer to momentarily lose them along their path.
How long can I run? I feel it's just begun
The situation seems endless; no end in sight and no respite for the individual. The escape, which initially began as a flash of hope, now looks like it won't last for quite some time.
Nowhere left to hide, they're gaining on me
There seems to be no escape, nowhere else to run, and they are finally starting to catch up with the individual.
I can't run anymore, they move this way too fast
The individual is too exhausted to run anymore, and the pursuers are increasing speed, moving with a rapid pace.
Finally caught up to me, a victim of my past
The individual is finally caught, a result of his past mistakes and sins eventually catching up with him.
I feel them closing in, the bad guy just didn't win
The individual is surrounded and knows there's no escape, but still chooses to resist because he believes that justice will eventually prevail in the end.
I will not go back, I'm still on the run
The individual still mentally remains on the run, refusing to give up or give in, with the hopes of one day escaping the shadow of his past.
Lyrics © Exceleration Music Partners, LLC
Written by: ALEX WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dominon92
Ow! My legs are breakin', can't take no more
Six days in a haze, locked behind a door
Searchlight on my trail, I hear the sirens wail
Footsteps close behind, they're after me now
Moonlight lights the way to a clearing up ahead
(???) through the trees, the hunter flees again
How long can I run? I feel it's just begun
Nowhere left to hide, they're gaining on me
Oh, on the run, oh, on the run, run, run
I can't run anymore, they move this way too fast
Finally caught up to me, a victim of my past
I feel them closing in, the bad guy just didn't win
I will not go back, I'm still on the run
Oh, on the run, oh!, on the run, run, run...
John P. Johnson
Rifftastic. Criss Oliva was an amazing 20 year old guitarist here. Hours of playing paid off for him. He gifted himself into being a master.
Terrible
2020 this still kicks ass
Virgil Bowler
Loved this song from the 1st listen.
Wraith King
Underrated song from Savatage, but in my opinion one of the best.
Dominon92
Ow! My legs are breakin', can't take no more
Six days in a haze, locked behind a door
Searchlight on my trail, I hear the sirens wail
Footsteps close behind, they're after me now
Moonlight lights the way to a clearing up ahead
(???) through the trees, the hunter flees again
How long can I run? I feel it's just begun
Nowhere left to hide, they're gaining on me
Oh, on the run, oh, on the run, run, run
I can't run anymore, they move this way too fast
Finally caught up to me, a victim of my past
I feel them closing in, the bad guy just didn't win
I will not go back, I'm still on the run
Oh, on the run, oh!, on the run, run, run...
johnny campbell
Savatage is a band that like alot of people fell between the cracks beautiful and forgotten mostly unloved jesus wether you think he's real or not is there for the broken the lost and the forgotten there's no doubt he walked with criss and jon.
G Leasak
Chris Oliva was the best guitar player ever ! 7 albums 10 yrs ! Rip
David Bruggeman
Best brother dou in metal!!!
morbidlust666
Badass song
Randy Swanson
This is one of there
Best on the run sirens i believe good albun twisted sister