However, their breakthrough came in 2018 with the release of their single "still feel." with an accompanying music video, received media attention and led to the band signing a record deal with RCA Records. "still feel." also charted on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart and has amassed over 80 million streams on YouTube and Spotify.
In August 2019, half•alive released their debut studio album titled "Now, Not Yet." The album was well-received, and the band embarked on a worldwide tour, performing in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
In 2022, the band released "Give Me Your Shoulders, Pt. 1," which served as the first part of their second studio album. However, they later announced the cancellation of "Give Me Your Shoulders, Pt. 2" and unveiled a new single called "Did I Make You Up?" This single was followed by the release of their second album, "Conditions of a Punk," in December 2022.
On October 13, 2022, they released the single "Did I Make You Up?" along with its captivating music video, which culminated in the announcement of their second album, "Conditions of a Punk," set to be released on December 2, 2022.
half•alive's musical style is a blend of beat-driven dance-pop, dark electro-rock, and indie pop. They draw inspiration from various genres and incorporate elements of R&B, funk, soul, and electronic music. The band has cited influences such as Sufjan Stevens, Vulfpeck and Christine and the Queens. Their lyrics often touch on themes of anxiety and religion, and they strive to create a balance between abstract and relatable lyrics to allow listeners to interpret the songs in their own way.
RUNAWAY
half•alive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been tripping, no one's perfect
Chasing vision, just the surface
Shirt's on backwards, not on purpose
I've been learning, something bigger
Expectations, feet were failing
I found blessings flowing from
The sight of Heaven
Staring into my reflection
Redirecting my perfection somewhere else
(Ohh, ohh, oh)
When there isn't any progress
Lean on truth inside the promise, it is well
(Ohh, ohh, oh)
I hold my life out in front of me
Dreams of who I want to be
I'm seeing every empty page
I find that everything I am is
Everything I should be
I don't need to run away
Ohh, well I don't need to run away
Ohh, I don't need to run away
Something's working, heart is turning
Vision's clear, and still I'm learning
That what I am, what I am, what I am, what I am
Is something more than I can plan
(Oh, ohh)
Go, tell me now
I don't need to run away
I been standing on a stage, or just a mirror
Forced to face who I become
(Ohh, ohh, oh)
Searching for a new escape
I scan the exits that embrace an easy out
(Ohh, ohh, oh)
I hold my life out in front of me
Dreams of who I want to be
I'm seeing every empty page
I find that everything I am is
Everything I should be
I don't need to run away
Ohh, I don't need to run away
Ohh, I don't need to run away
(Hey) Ohh, I don't need to run away
(Need to run away)
Ohh, I don't need to run away
(I don't need to run)
In "Runaway" by half•alive, the singer expresses their inner turmoil and their journey to finding their true self. The opening lines of the song showcase the singer's frustration with themselves and their inability to find what they are looking for. They feel like they are tripping and chasing a surface-level vision. However, this struggle leads them to learn something bigger and find blessings in the sight of heaven.
The singer continues to reflect on their journey, finding that they have been looking in the wrong place for perfection. Instead of redirecting their perfection to society's expectations of them, they lean on the truth inside the promise that "it is well." They realize that everything they are is everything they should be, and they don't need to run away from who they are.
The chorus repeats this message, that the singer doesn't need to run away from themselves or their life. They are turning their heart towards something that gives them clarity, and they are still learning in the process. The bridge emphasizes the singer's experience of facing themselves, whether on a stage or in the mirror, and searching for an easy escape. However, they come to the realization that they don't need to run away and that everything they are is enough.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been searching, nothing's working
Despite my search for something, I cannot seem to find what I am looking for
I've been tripping, no one's perfect
I have made mistakes, but no one is immune to imperfection
Chasing vision, just the surface
I am pursuing a goal, but only scratching the surface of what that truly means
Shirt's on backwards, not on purpose
I have made a mistake in my appearance, but it was not intentional
I've been learning, something bigger
I have been learning about something that is larger than myself
Expectations, feet were failing
I had high hopes, but I was not meeting them
I found blessings flowing from
The sight of Heaven
I have found good things coming my way from a higher power
Staring into my reflection
Redirecting my perfection somewhere else
(Ohh, ohh, oh)
Looking at myself, I am realizing that trying to be perfect is futile and I need to focus on something else
When there isn't any progress
Lean on truth inside the promise, it is well
(Ohh, ohh, oh)
When I am not making any headway, I need to trust that everything will be okay
I hold my life out in front of me
Dreams of who I want to be
I'm seeing every empty page
I find that everything I am is
Everything I should be
I don't need to run away
Ohh, well I don't need to run away
Ohh, I don't need to run away
I am evaluating my life and realizing that I am already what I want to be; I do not need to escape from anything
Something's working, heart is turning
Vision's clear, and still I'm learning
That what I am, what I am, what I am, what I am
Is something more than I can plan
(Oh, ohh)
Go, tell me now
I don't need to run away
I am making progress and growing, but at the same time, I am still learning about myself; I have come to realize that my potential is greater than what I think
I been standing on a stage, or just a mirror
Forced to face who I become
(Ohh, ohh, oh)
I have been pursuing my goals publicly or privately, but in either case I have had to confront the person I have become
Searching for a new escape
I scan the exits that embrace an easy out
(Ohh, ohh, oh)
I have been searching for a way to escape my problems, but some exits lead to an easy way out, which is not necessarily the right path
Ohh, I don't need to run away
(Need to run away)
Ohh, I don't need to run away
(I don't need to run)
I have realized that I do not need to flee from my problems or my reality; I can face them head on
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brett Kramer, J. Tyler Ross Johnson, Joshua William Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cameronmcallister7606
Most bands: "So we did an acoustic cover"
Half Alive: "So we did an ORCHESTRAL COVER"
@dreatfuldroid9316
I love that
@Purplepentapus_
Did you mean: Bastille
@DJMerrellTheScholar
@Purplepentapus157 no i think they're talking about half-alive, not bastille
@Purplepentapus_
@Daniel Merrell it's a joke, Bastille does orchestral reworks of their music too
@MultiKombo
When people simplify, they amplify
@tmughnaynels
The best thing about half alive is they have such a unique style and push creative boundaries for all kinds of artists
@faithacosta1313
💯💯💯
@dlybird795
Yes but think of other unique artists like ajr or even indi bands im pretty shore that techno band also push it for artist or lok up sound board covers still i agree but that statement seemed pretty opinionated but im also a fan
@Imakemixes666
haha I read push as posh. I was like yeah!