The Running Man
The Audition Lyrics
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Something's got a hold of me
Stay until death
Splits us up and calls the judge
To ask if you believe
You've lost your soul for eternity
But you've never been free
When it's said and done
It's our eternity
But for now, I've been trapped, oh
Too long to take these roads
Tell me when you see the smoke
Hear my cry and bring me back to home
Arrested by your love, girl
Constant search from the floor
Badly beaten in love, girl
Turn the key and lock the door [x2]
Send an SOS through a telegraphic note
Expressed in shreds
Written in code, signed to a note
'Cause nobody should know
What it's like to be alone
So take back your soul
A lot to uphold
A lie to be told
'Cause love's not set in stone
But for now, I've been trapped, oh
Too long to take these roads
Tell me when you see the smoke
Hear my cry and bring me back to home
Arrested by your love, girl
Constant search from the floor
Badly beaten in love, girl
Turn the key and lock the door [x2]
Come as you are, my darling
Bare bones so I can see your soul
I'm beginning to lose control
I need to know who's starting
To crumble down my nervous walls
Had to stumble for far too long
Come as you are, come as you are
I'm beginning to lose control
I need to know, I need to know
You're beginning to lose control
Arrested by your love, girl
Constant search from the floor
Barely beating in love, girl
Turn the key and lock the door [x2]
Come as you are, come as you are
I'm beginning to lose control
I need to know, I need to know
You're beginning to lose control
The Audition's "The Running Man" is a song about being trapped in a relationship that is suffocating and restricting. The singer is struggling to break free from the hold that their partner has over them, but they feel trapped and unable to escape. They want to run away from the situation, but it seems impossible to do so. The lyrics "Stay until death/Splits us up and calls the judge" suggest that this is a toxic relationship that is draining the singer's soul, and they feel trapped in it until they die.
However, there is still hope in the song. The repeated refrain of "But for now, I've been trapped, oh/Too long to take these roads/Tell me when you see the smoke/Hear my cry and bring me back to home" suggests that the singer is still holding onto the idea of escape, and they're asking for help from someone to guide them out of this situation. Ultimately, the song is about the struggle to maintain one's identity and sense of self in a relationship that is controlling and suffocating.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm being held captive
I am trapped and unable to escape
Something's got a hold of me
I am under the influence or control of something
Stay until death
I will remain committed to this inescapable situation until the end
Splits us up and calls the judge
This situation will eventually separate us and force us to make difficult decisions
To ask if you believe
An inquiry into one's beliefs may determine the outcome of this situation
You've lost your soul for eternity
Making certain choices may have permanent and significant consequences on one's soul
But you've never been free
Despite previous attempts, I have always been trapped and bound to this situation
When it's said and done
After everything is finished
We can run
We will have the freedom to finally escape this situation
It's our eternity
Our future is uncertain and dependent on our actions in this situation
But for now, I've been trapped, oh
Currently, I am still trapped and unable to escape this situation
Too long to take these roads
This situation has lasted for too long for me to handle anymore
Tell me when you see the smoke
Let me know when there is a sign of hope or opportunity for escape
Hear my cry and bring me back to home
Listen to my plea for help and bring me back to safety
Arrested by your love, girl
My love for you is hindering my ability to escape this situation
Constant search from the floor
I am continually searching for a way out of this situation, even if it means going to extreme measures
Badly beaten in love, girl
My love for you has caused me significant emotional pain and turmoil
Turn the key and lock the door [x2]
Make a definitive decision to commit to this situation and cut off any hope for escape
Send an SOS through a telegraphic note
Desperately trying to reach out for help using any means possible
Expressed in shreds
The message is fragmented and difficult to decipher
Written in code, signed to a note
Trying to keep the message secret and only known to the intended recipient
'Cause nobody should know
This is a secret message that should only be known by the intended recipient
What it's like to be alone
The feeling of loneliness and helplessness is something no one should experience
So take back your soul
Make the necessary decision to protect your soul from harm and temptation
A lot to uphold
Making the right decision will be difficult but is necessary for personal integrity
A lie to be told
Sometimes, in order to protect oneself or others, it is necessary to keep the truth hidden
'Cause love's not set in stone
Love is a dynamic and ever-changing force that cannot be controlled or predicted
Come as you are, my darling
Be yourself and do not try to hide anything when facing this situation
Bare bones so I can see your soul
Be completely honest and open so that I can truly understand your inner self
I'm beginning to lose control
I am becoming overwhelmed and unsure of how to move forward
I need to know who's starting
I need to know who or what is causing this situation to spiral out of control
To crumble down my nervous walls
To overcome my fears and anxieties and confront this situation head-on
Had to stumble for far too long
I have struggled with this situation for too long without making significant progress
You're beginning to lose control
You are also becoming overwhelmed and unsure of how to handle this situation
Contributed by Sophie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.