Brothers Sly Stone and singer/guitarist Freddie Stone combined their bands (Sly & the Stoners and Freddie & the Stone Souls) at the end of 1966. Sly and Freddie Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Gregg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham completed the original lineup; Sly and Freddie's sister, singer/keyboardist Rose Stone, joined within a year. This collective recorded five Top 10 hits and four groundbreaking albums, which greatly influenced the sound of American pop music, soul, R&B, funk, and hip hop music. In the preface of his 1998 book For the Record: Sly and the Family Stone: An Oral History, Joel Selvin sums up the importance of Sly & the Family Stone's influence on African American music by stating "there are two types of black music: black music before Sly Stone, and black music after Sly Stone". The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
During the early 1970s, the band switched to a grittier funk sound, which was as influential on the music industry as their earlier work. The band began to fall apart during this period because of drug abuse and ego clashes; consequently, the fortunes and reliability of the band deteriorated, leading to its dissolution in 1975. Sly Stone continued to record albums and tour with a new rotating lineup under the "Sly & the Family Stone" name from 1975 to 1983. In 1987, Sly Stone was arrested and sentenced for cocaine use, after which he went into effective retirement.
Cynthia Robinson - January 12, 1944 – November 23, 2015
Run Run Run
Sly & The Family Stone Lyrics
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At least we are not staggering from drinking
Say, dig!
Don't try to figure out
What's happenin' inside their head
Ain't too much goin' on
Inside the head of the dead
Run, run, run, to avoid the hasslin'
When he bugs you, you know his mind is wrestlin'
Say, dig!
What?
The groovy music, inside my head is soakin'
And the to tell me what I should be smokin'
Bop-bop
People, listen!
People, listen!
People, listen!
People, people
Run, run, run, they don't like what we're wearin'
The colors we like, they're doin' a lot of starin'
Say, dig!
What?
Things we do upset their flesh and blood and bone
But I got an idea!
Maybe what they oughta do is leave their flesh and blood and bone at home
The lyrics to Sly & The Family Stone's song "Run Run Run" are a commentary on the societal pressures and discrimination faced by those who deviate from societal norms and expectations. The song speaks to the ways in which people who are different in thought, action, or appearance are ostracized and stigmatized by those who are afraid of change or who prefer conformity.
The chorus of the song, "Run, run, run, they don't like what we're thinking / At least we are not staggering from drinking," captures the idea that those who are different are often perceived as a threat to the status quo, while also acknowledging the self-destructive behavior that is often associated with conformity.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that those who are different are often misunderstood or underestimated by others. The line "Don't try to figure out / What's happenin' inside their head / Ain't too much goin' on / Inside the head of the dead" suggests that those who cling to the status quo are unable to understand the complexities and nuances of those who are different.
Overall, the song is a call for acceptance, understanding, and celebration of diversity, and a rejection of societal pressure to conform.
Line by Line Meaning
Run, run, run, they don't like what we're thinking
We are being chased because we hold different beliefs but we are not stumbling around due to intoxication.
At least we are not staggering from drinking
We are sober and can think clearly unlike many of our pursuers.
Say, dig!
Don't try to figure out
What's happenin' inside their head
Ain't too much goin' on
Inside the head of the dead
Listen up! It's futile to understand our opponents' motives since their minds are deprived of substantial thought.
Run, run, run, to avoid the hasslin'
When he bugs you, you know his mind is wrestlin'
Flee to evade the needless harassment of those whose inner turmoil causes them to lash out at us.
Say, dig!
What?
The groovy music, inside my head is soakin'
And the to tell me what I should be smokin'
Listen up! I'm thoroughly enjoying the uplifting tunes playing in my mind; they tell me what's best for me.
Bop-bop
An expression indicating enjoyment of the music or a need to vibe out.
People, listen!
People, listen!
People, listen!
People, people
Everyone, please pay attention! (Repetition emphasizes the importance of the following message.)
Run, run, run, they don't like what we're wearin'
The colors we like, they're doin' a lot of starin'
We are being chased because of our appearance with our colorful clothing prompting stares from those disapproving of our style.
Say, dig!
What?
Things we do upset their flesh and blood and bone
But I got an idea!
Maybe what they oughta do is leave their flesh and blood and bone at home
Listen up! Our actions offend their very being, but maybe they should try leaving their physical selves behind to better understand us.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SYLVESTER STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind