Outrunning Karma by Alec Benjamin Lyrics Meaning – A Lyrical Dive Into Destiny and Retribution
Lyrics
He’s such a charmer, all the
Bugs and their larva follow
Him out to Colorado
Ten-dozen hearts in a bag
Their bodies lyin’, he’ll drag
Them down to Colorado
A modern desperado
And he’ll race for miles through the night
He runs because he knows he cannot hide
He’s never gonna make it, all the
Poor people he’s forsaken, karma
Is always gonna chase him for his lies
It’s just a game of waiting from the
Church steeple down to Satan karma
There’s really no escape until he dies
Outrunning karma, that boy
Can’t run no farther, it’s the
Last days of Sparta, follow
Him down to meet Apollo
And he’ll brace for battle in the night
He’ll fight because he knows he cannot hide
He’s never gonna make it, all the
Poor people he’s forsaken, karma
Is always gonna chase him for his lies
It’s just a game of waiting from the
Church steeple down to Satan karma
There’s really no escape until he dies
La-la-la, la la, la-la-la, la la
La-la-la, la la, la la
La-la-la, la la, la-la-la, la la
La-la-la, la la, la la
He’s never gonna make it, all the
Poor people he’s forsaken, karma
Is always gonna chase him for his lies
It’s just a game of waiting from the
Church steeple down to Satan karma
There’s really no escape until he dies
La-la-la, la la, la-la-la, la la
La-la-la, la la, la la
Alec Benjamin’s ‘Outrunning Karma’ isn’t just a melodic jaunt; it’s a narrative steeped in allegory and soaked in the haunting inevitability of karma. With its storytelling prowess and solemn guitar riffs, the song weaves a rich tapestry of cause and effect, leading listeners through a moralistic tale fit for the modern age.
But what lurks beneath the surface of this seemingly simple melody? Can one truly escape the cosmic forces at play, or are we eternally bound to the consequences of our actions? Let’s peel back the layers of Benjamin’s creation, discovering how each line serves as a compass pointing toward the inescapable nature of karma.
The Charmer’s Chase: A Gripping Tale of Escapism
Benjamin paints the picture of a character forever on the run—’Outrunning Karma, that boy, he’s such a charmer.’ With a deceptive sweetness, karma follows. But this is no ordinary runner; this is a modern desperado, dragging hearts and leaving a trail of moral wreckage in his wake.
As the narrative progresses, we embark on a midnight race, a metaphor for the endless pursuit by one’s own conscience, chasing the protagonist across psychological terrains and life’s rugged landscapes. With the song’s tempo reflecting the urgency of flight, Benjamin’s story unfolds with thrilling energy.
The Unsung Victims: The Weight of Misdeeds
In the echoes of the refrain—’He’s never gonna make it, all the poor people he’s forsaken, karma’—we confront the wake of the protagonist’s actions. Each word serves as an indictment, a mirror held up to show the faces of those affected by selfishness and deceit.
A stark reminder that each decision casts ripples, the song captures the essence of accountability. Outrunning karma, it seems, isn’t about distance; it’s about denying the bonds of our shared humanity and the ultimate impossibility of such an endeavor.
Musical Mythology: From Sparta to Apollo
Intertwining classical references—’It’s the last days of Sparta, follow him down to meet Apollo’—the lyrics transcend temporal bounds and connect the ancient to the present. This mythic imagery emboldens the song with an epic quality, framing the narrative in the context of timeless struggle.
Summoning the spirit of mythological battles and the gods’ own retribution, Benjamin uses these motifs to deepen the song’s exploration of fate. What does it mean to stand before Apollo, the god of truth and prophecy? Perhaps it’s a symbol of the final confrontation with the truths we try to flee.
Catchy Conundrum: Memorable Lines That Haunt
‘There’s really no escape until he dies’—the line rings out, both an earworm and a grim prophecy. It carries the weight of finality, a punctuation mark ending the frantic sentences of flight that come before.
This refrain, with its sing-song lilt, becomes ironically jaunty against the starkness of its message. Reinforcing the notion that some pursuits are ceaseless, Benjamin crafts a chorus that’s as resonant as it is unsettling.
The Inescapable Truth: Uncovering the Song’s Hidden Meaning
Beneath the surface charm of its melody, ‘Outrunning Karma’ harbors profound reflections on retribution and the human condition. It’s a narrative that suggests karma isn’t merely a pursuer but an embedded part of us, shaping our destinies with the chisel of our own choices.
As the song reaches its culmination, it becomes clear that the chase isn’t external—it’s a race within. The cathartic hums of ‘La-la-la’ serve as a siren’s call to introspection, leading listeners to ponder the karma that they, too, are running from.
