You Are a Runner and I Am My Father's Son
Wolf Parade Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I got a number on me, I got a number
Won't make it through the high noon sun
I am my father's son
And I am my father's son
His bed is made
I was a hero early in the morning
I ain't no hero in the night
I am my father's son
And I'll build a house inside of you
I'll go in through the mouth
I'll draw three figures on your heart
One of them will be me as a boy
And one of them will be me
One of them will be me, watching you run
Watching you run into the high noon sun
Watching you run farther than guns will go
You are a runner with a stolen voice
And you are a runner
And I am my father's son





I am my father's son
I am my father's son

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Wolf Parade's "You Are a Runner and I Am My Father's Son" are captivating and evoke a sense of emotional complexity. The opening line "I got a number on me, I got a number" could be interpreted as the weight and pressure of expectation that the singer feels. It's like the number is a marker, reminding him of the standards he must meet. The following line, "Won't make it through the high noon sun," implies that he doesn't think he'll be able to withstand the heat and pressure of the situation he's in.


However, it's the next line that sets the tone for the rest of the song, "I am my father's son." This line is repeated several times throughout the song and highlights the singer's relationship with his father, and the ways in which he both emulates and resents him. The following line "His bed is made" could be interpreted as an acknowledgment of the choices his father made in life and the consequences that have followed.


The chorus of the song details the singer's desire to have an impact on someone else's life. The lines "I'll build a house inside of you, I'll go in through the mouth" suggest an intense desire to leave a lasting impact on someone, to be remembered and have a place in their heart. The imagery of drawing figures on the heart, with one of them being the singer as a boy, represents a longing for childhood and a simpler time. The last few lines of the song "You are a runner with a stolen voice, and you are a runner, and I am my father's son" seem to be a reflection of the way that the singer sees himself and the people around him. He's like his father in certain ways, but he's also different, and he has his own voice and struggles to find his place in the world.


Line by Line Meaning

I got a number on me, I got a number
I have a burden that I carry with me like a number that can't be escaped


Won't make it through the high noon sun
I am not strong enough to survive the harsh realities of life


I am my father's son
I am a reflection of my father in both my strengths and my weaknesses


And I am my father's son
I am proud of my heritage and embrace both the good and bad of my family line


His bed is made
My father has made his choices and now he must face the consequences of those choices


I was a hero early in the morning
In the past, I believed in myself and thought I could conquer anything


I ain't no hero in the night
However, when faced with darkness and adversity, I realize that I am not as brave as I once thought


And I'll build a house inside of you
I want to be close to you and build a relationship that is strong and long-lasting


I'll go in through the mouth
I will be vulnerable and honest with you, even if it is uncomfortable


I'll draw three figures on your heart
I will leave a lasting impression on your heart that will include three different parts of myself


One of them will be me as a boy
One part of me will always be the innocent child I was before life's hardships shaped me


And one of them will be me
Another part of me will be the person I have become, with all my flaws and strengths


One of them will be me, watching you run
The final part of me will always be your biggest supporter, even from a distance


Watching you run into the high noon sun
I want you to keep striving for success, even if it means facing the heat of the moment


Watching you run farther than guns will go
I want you to stay determined and strong, even when faced with extreme adversity


You are a runner with a stolen voice
You have a strength and power that others may try to take advantage of, but I know you can overcome it


And you are a runner
You have the drive and determination to succeed, even in the toughest of times


And I am my father's son
I take pride in my family legacy, even if it has its challenges


I am my father's son
I am a product of my upbringing and will continue to carry my father's influence with me




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Arlen Thompson, Dan Boeckner, Hadji Bakara, Spencer Kyle Krug

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@Jason-ju3ng

[Lyrics]
I got a number on me
I got a number
Won't make it through the high noon sun
Well I am my father's son
And I am my father's son
His bed is made

And I was a hero
Early in the morning
I ain't no hero
In the night

I am my father's son

And I'll build a house inside of you
I'll go in through the mouth
I'll draw three figures on your heart
One of them will be me as a boy
And one of them will be me
And One of them will be me watching you run
Watching you run
Into the high noon sun
Watching you run
Farther than guns will go
You are a runner
With a stolen voice
And you are a runner
And I am my father's son

I am my father's son
I am my father's son



@ashwinf12

"And I was a hero
Early in the morning"
(Helping his sick mom and taking care of the family)

"I ain't no hero
In the night"
(Doing what he does best!)

This song was made for Ray Donovan



All comments from YouTube:

@boyanvladimirov8076

Thank you Ray Donovan! Masterpiece!

@Adam-xb8xh

I was a hero early in the morning, ain’t no hero in the night

Perfect to encapsulate Ray Donovan’s life !

@nicojuncos

RAY DONOVAN : The Movie ! Simply Amazing !!! 🙌

@Casinooos

I was like 14-15 and listening through music (in Tallinn, Estonia) and I was instantly hooked when this came on. One of my favorite albums from that time, and I even saw them perform a bit later in Helsinki!

@Casinooos

too bad that Boeckner turned into a putinist tool later :/

@thatguyrightthere2276

ALRIGHT THEN !!!! LET THE MASSACRE BEGIN !!!

@someonenamecaleb

U also from jazz with a general problem?

@thatguyrightthere2276

@halo nerd Yeah

@someonenamecaleb

@That Guy Right There that's cool dude are u a fan of dukes of hazzard too?

@thatguyrightthere2276

@halo nerd yes

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