Running Out
Stateless Lyrics


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Can you lie still without making a sound?
Pacified hell, just don't scratch the surface

Away, away, you're running out, you're running out
You're running out, you're running out

How long before you crack?
How long before you turn back?

She knows you too well, she'll watch your every move
Better to not know than to endure this silence

Always, always

How long before you crack?
How long before you turn back?

Your ground will fall from under your feet
Your sky will crumble in, you will be swallowed alive

You're running out, you're running out

How long before you crack?
How long before you turn back?
How long before you crack?
How long before you turn back?

You turn back




You turn back
You turn back

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Stateless's song "Running out" deal with the internal struggle of a person who is gradually losing control of their emotions and fears, and is feeling trapped in their own mind. The opening lines, "Can you lie still without making a sound?" set the mood for the entire song, and imply the tension that the person is feeling. The next line, "Pacified hell, just don't scratch the surface" suggests that the person is trying to keep a lid on their emotions, to avoid causing damage or chaos.


The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "You're running out, you're running out," adds to the sense of desperation and impending doom. The questions "How long before you crack?" and "How long before you turn back?" are directed at the person themselves, as they question their own ability to hold themselves together. The mention of a woman who knows the person well adds to the idea of being trapped, being watched, and not being able to escape.


The final lines, "Your ground will fall from under your feet, Your sky will crumble in, you will be swallowed alive," are perhaps the most bleak and despairing of all. They suggest that the person is facing a catastrophic collapse of their own world, and that they are powerless to prevent it.


The song as a whole reflects on the theme of control, and how fragile and illusory it can be. It speaks to the fear that many people have of losing control, and the associated sense of panic, frustration, and desperation that can follow. It also touches on the idea of being watched, judged, and confined, which can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and helplessness.


Line by Line Meaning

Can you lie still without making a sound?
Can you stay immobile without uttering a word?


Pacified hell, just don't scratch the surface
A seemingly calm and peaceful environment, but you know it is a chaotic mess just beneath the surface


Away, away, you're running out, you're running out
You're trying to escape or get away, but time is running out


You're running out, you're running out
Reinforcing the idea that time is running out and you need to act fast


How long before you crack?
How long before you break or lose control?


How long before you turn back?
How long before you give up and return to a previous state?


She knows you too well, she'll watch your every move
Someone close to you is very familiar with your behavior and will monitor your actions closely


Better to not know than to endure this silence
It's better to be oblivious to the truth than to suffer in the silence of doubt


Always, always
A repeated emphasis on the idea that things will remain the same


Your ground will fall from under your feet
Your stable foundation will crumble leaving you without support


Your sky will crumble in, you will be swallowed alive
The apparent serenity in the sky will come crashing down, engulfing you whole


You turn back
You give up and return to a previous state


You turn back
Continuing to describe giving up and returning to a previous state


You turn back
Reemphasizing the idea of giving up and returning to a previous state




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TYLER JAMES, MATT MARSTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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