Running Away
Specials (the) Lyrics

When you look, what do you see?
I am asking you, when you look at me what do you perceive?

You only see the monkey not the man in me
You only perceive my external appearance and not who I truly am inside.

But now I'm back, and that's a fact
I have returned and that is the undeniable truth.

Gonna show the next generation where I'm at
I will demonstrate to the next generation my existence and my position in the world.

What I mean is to say
What I intend to communicate is that

The way that I was is the same as I am today
My current character is consistent with my past self.

Now if you're white, or if you're black
Regardless of your race

Remember you can't get the monkey off your back
You cannot escape the difficulties and problems that come with life.

And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You are attempting to flee and escape

You're running from the monkey man
You are trying to run away from the difficulties and problems that have been burdening you.

I was lost, but now I'm found
I used to be lost, but now I have found my way back.

Some might even say that I've been around
Some people might argue that I'm familiar with my surroundings and have been for some time.

With the crowd I would move
I used to follow the crowd.

Mr. sophisticated just can't lose
I was confident and good at everything I did.

Now in the style that I was dressed
At that time, I used to dress in a certain way

I was the steady reason no-one could test
I was stable and dependable and no one dared to challenge me.

Yeah I was smart and I was cool
I was intelligent and fashionable.

No matter how hard they tried I was no-ones fool
Despite their efforts, nobody could fool or deceive me.

Did you hear what I say?
I am posing the question whether or not you understood what I just said.