Keep On Running
U.K. Subs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got some road to burn
Don't let them shoot you down
When your back is turned
Keep on runnin 'til you burn
Keep on runnin 'til you burn
Keep on runnin 'til you burn
Run boy run
Put yourself in overdrive
The city girls are pretty
One could be yours tonight
Run boy run
Run out of crowd
You don't have no future
In the underground
The U.K. Subs's song "Keep On Running" is an energetic and encouraging tune that encourages one to keep pushing forward despite obstacles in their path. The opening lyrics, "Run boy run/ You've got some road to burn/ Don't let them shoot you down/ When your back is turned," are a call to action for the listener to persevere and stay true to their course, despite potential threats from detractors. The phrase "road to burn" is a metaphorical representation of the listener's future, implying that they have a lot of opportunities ahead of them.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Keep on runnin 'til you burn," emphasizing the importance of persistence and endurance. It's a reminder that success isn't achieved overnight and that one must keep pushing until they see the results they desire. The second verse focuses on love, likening the pursuit of a romantic partner to a race. The line "Put yourself in overdrive/ The city girls are pretty/ One could be yours tonight" encourages the listener to pursue their desires passionately and wholeheartedly, with the knowledge that they may just achieve what they're after.
The song ends on a slightly ominous note, with the warning, "Run out of the crowd/ You don't have no future/ In the underground." This implies that the singer is seeking something beyond the mundane and may be in danger by sticking around people who are content with staying in the same place. In conclusion, "Keep On Running" is an uplifting and motivational song that encourages listeners to pursue their goals passionately and persistently, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Run boy run
The song starts by urging the subject of the lyrics to start running.
You've got some road to burn
There is a lot of distance for the subject to cover.
Don't let them shoot you down
The subject must not allow others to bring them down.
When your back is turned
It is likely that people will try to hurt the subject when they are not looking.
Keep on runnin 'til you burn
The subject should continue running until they exhaust themselves.
Keep on runnin 'til you burn
The same sentiment is repeated for emphasis.
Keep on runnin 'til you burn
The same sentiment is repeated yet again for further emphasis.
Keep on runnin 'til you burn
The subject is being encouraged to keep pushing themselves until they have nothing left to give.
Put yourself in overdrive
The subject should push themselves harder than they ever have before.
The city girls are pretty
There are attractive women in the city that the subject could potentially meet.
One could be yours tonight
There is a chance that the subject could make a connection with one of these women tonight.
Run out of crowd
The subject needs to leave their current surroundings and find new opportunities elsewhere.
You don't have no future
Staying in the same place will not lead to success.
In the underground
The subject is currently in a place that is not conducive to success or progress.
Writer(s): Charles Harper
Contributed by Eva O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.