Song information
The song was produced by Lipsey, McVey and Simm. It received strong reviews from music critics. The track is one of the group's darkest and most haunting singles to date. The lyrics describe escaping from the reality and harshness of the world, possibly an abusive relationship (you never seem to wonder/how much you make me suffer). It was released as the third single from the groups debut album One Touch in the spring of 2001 and sold 58,000 copies.
SiobhΓ‘n Donaghy did not have any solo vocals in this track, although producers have cited her as writing the majority of the lyrics to the song.
In 2007, Czech singer Tereza KerndlovΓ‘ covered the song as "Zhasis" for her album Orchidej.
Run For Cover
Sugababes Lyrics
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Then I, get turned around
I tend to, cut myself off
From things, I shouldn't run from
It doesn't really matter
Sometimes we run for cover
I'm always on the outside
Stabbed me in the back
Once did a thing like that
Sticking to your ploy
Is this something you enjoy?
Publicity and insecurity
Just want to be me
It's my need to be free
It doesn't really matter
Sometimes we run for cover
I'm always on the outside
You never seem to wonder
How much you make me suffer
I speak it from the inside
Looking right at me (at me)
Won't recede my plea (my plea)
Tell me what you mean (you mean)
I'm not what's on the screen
Thinking what will be (will be)
Find innovatory (atory)
That's quite enough for me
Makes me want to scream
(scream, scream, scream, scream, scream, scream)
Keep it to myself
It doesn't really matter
Sometimes we run for cover
I'm always on the outside (keep it to myself)
You never seem to wonder
How much you make me suffer
I speak it from the inside
(Keep it to myself)
It doesn't really matter
Sometimes we run for cover
I'm always on the outside (keep it to myself)
You never seem to wonder
How much you make me suffer
I speak it from the inside
The lyrics of Sugababes' "Run For Cover" are about feeling betrayed and hurt by someone who you once trusted. The opening lines "When you get me down, then I get turned around" suggest a negative influence in the singer's life. It's likely that the person they're talking about has hurt them in some way and as a result, they've become defensive and distant. They "cut themselves off from things" they shouldn't have to run from, indicating that they're overwhelmed by their emotions and are struggling to cope.
The lyrics go on to describe the subject's confusion and distrust toward the person who hurt them. The line "Stabbed me in the back, once did a thing like that" highlights the fact that this isn't the first time they've been hurt, and it's likely that they're having trouble trusting anyone after being betrayed. The chorus line, "Sometimes we run for cover," seems like a metaphor for the singer's desire to avoid emotional pain by hiding their true feelings, even from themselves.
The bridge, "Looking right at me, won't recede my plea, tell me what you mean, I'm not what's on the screen," seems to deal with the idea of public image. The singer is tired of being a projection of what others want them to be, and wants to be able to be their true self without worrying about what others think. The song ends on a note of resignation - "It doesn't really matter" - suggesting that the singer has accepted their pain, and is ready to move forward on their own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
When you, get me down
When you bring me down emotionally
Then I, get turned around
Then I become confused and disoriented
I tend to, cut myself off
I tend to isolate myself
From things, I shouldn't run from
From things I should face and not avoid
It doesn't really matter
It's not important
Sometimes we run for cover
Sometimes we try to escape our problems
I'm always on the outside
I always feel excluded
Stabbed me in the back
Betrayed me
Once did a thing like that
You've done it before
Sticking to your ploy
Continuing your deceptive plan
Is this something you enjoy?
Do you find pleasure in this?
Publicity and insecurity
Being in the spotlight and feeling unsure of myself
Just want to be me
Just want to be myself
It's my need to be free
I have a strong desire for freedom
You never seem to wonder
You never seem to care or be curious
How much you make me suffer
How much emotional pain you cause me
I speak it from the inside
I express my feelings from my heart and soul
Looking right at me (at me)
Staring directly at me
Won't recede my plea (my plea)
Won't ignore my request
Tell me what you mean (you mean)
Explain what you are trying to say
I'm not what's on the screen
I am not who you perceive me to be on the surface
Thinking what will be (will be)
Accepting what the future holds
Find innovatory (atory)
Discovering new and innovative things
That's quite enough for me
That is sufficient for me
Makes me want to scream
Makes me feel frustrated and upset
Keep it to myself
Keep my feelings to myself
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CAMERON MCVEY, JONY LIPSEY, KEISHA BUCHANAN, MUTYA BUENA, PAUL SIMM, SIOBHAN DONAGHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamielangner1510
Personally one of THE BEST tracks the girls ever did. Ever ever ever
@ludi2628
Itβs push the button
@lemonlime03
@@ludi2628 personally .... one of the ....
@411.karabokhojanekhojane3
@@ludi2628 Push The Button is most definitely one of their best songs. I love run for cover for the nostalgia of it β¦
@reunreid7237
I could not agree more. I was obsessed with this track. I feel true OG fans understand β€οΈ
@Crombilicious
I agree π
@mikelowry1288
Most underrated song EVER
@hfsq19
Iβve always find Sugababes very sultry and thereβs a bit of darkness in their works but in a really good way. I love Sugababes
@justschr
This version and the first post-Siobhan era the groups image was very moody. Like they were too cool to give a fuck about anything. Itβs the mystery that gave them the vibe youβre talking about.
@miguelcarvalho9327
Well said I agree