running away
The Specials and Fun Boy Three feat. Neville Staple Lyrics
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You only see the monkey not the man in me
But now I'm back, and that's a fact
Gonna show the next generation where I'm at
What I mean is to say
The way that I was is the same as I am today
Now if you're white, or if you're black
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
I was lost, but now I'm found
Some might even say that I've been around
With the crowd I would move
Mr. sophisticated just can't lose
Now in the style that I was dressed
I was the steady reason no-one could test
Yeah I was smart and I was cool
No matter how hard they tried I was no-ones fool
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
Did you hear what I say?
Now did you hear what I say?
When you look, what do you see?
You only see the monkey not the man in me
But now I'm back, and that's a fact
Gonna show the next generation where I'm at
What I mean is to say
The way that I was is the same as I am today
And if you're white, or if you're black
Remember you can't get the monkey off your back
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
The song "Running Away" by The Specials and Fun Boy Three feat. Neville Staple is an anthem that speaks about the struggles of being perceived as something that one is not. The song highlights the issue of people being judged based on their appearance instead of their inner selves. The lyrics lament that people often see the monkey and not the man, indicating that people usually form stereotypes based on how someone looks or dresses. The song urges the listener to remember that they cannot get the monkey off their back, meaning that no matter how hard one tries to change the perception of others, the judgment will always remain.
The song goes on to describe the singer's experiences of being misunderstood and his journey to find himself. The lyrics indicate that the singer was lost, but he has now found himself. He describes himself as someone who was smart and cool, who could not be tested. The song carries a message of self-discovery and self-acceptance. The singer has realized that the way he was is the same as he is today, and he is proud of his journey. The song encourages embracing one's identity and not running away from it.
Line by Line Meaning
When you look, what do you see?
What do you perceive when you observe me?
You only see the monkey not the man in me
You only see my outer appearance, not my true identity.
But now I'm back, and that's a fact
But now I have returned and it is the truth.
Gonna show the next generation where I'm at
I will demonstrate to the youth where I currently stand.
What I mean is to say
What I intend to express is that
The way that I was is the same as I am today
My character has remained consistent over time.
Now if you're white, or if you're black
Regardless of your skin color
Remember you can't get the monkey off your back
You cannot rid yourself of your problems or inner demons easily.
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You are making haste to evade something unpleasant.
You're running from the monkey man
You are attempting to escape your inner struggle.
I was lost, but now I'm found
I was misguided, but I have since regained my way.
Some might even say that I've been around
Some might suggest that I have had various life experiences.
With the crowd I would move
I used to go along with the majority.
Mr. sophisticated just can't lose
I am smart and savvy and cannot be defeated.
Now in the style that I was dressed
At the time when I adorned a particular fashion
I was the steady reason no-one could test
I was the unchallengeable factor that kept everything under control.
Yeah I was smart and I was cool
I was both intelligent and stylish.
No matter how hard they tried I was no-ones fool
Despite their attempts to trick me, I never fell for their deception.
Did you hear what I say?
Did you comprehend my words?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT GABRIEL COOK, JACK COOK, NICK MILLS, GRAHAM SMITH, COLIN STRATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind