Run-Around by Blues Traveler Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Enigmatic Heart of a 90s Classic
Lyrics
I woke with something in my head
I couldn’t escape the memory
Of a phone call and of what you said
Like a game show contestant with a parting gift
I could not believe my eyes
When I saw through the thoughts of a trusted friend
Who needs to humor me and tell me lies, yeah humor me and tell me lies
And I’ll lie too and say I don’t mind
And as we seek so shall we find
And when you’re feeling open I’ll still be here
But not without a certain degree of fear
Well, what will be with you and me
I still can see things hopefully
But you
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up?
When all it does is slow me down
Shake me and my confidence
About a great many things
But I’ve been there I can see it cower
Like a nervous magician waiting in the wings
Of a bad play where the heroes are right
And nobody thinks or expects too much
And Hollywood’s calling for the movie rights
Singing “Hey babe, let’s keep in touch”, hey baby, let’s keep in touch
But I want more than a touch I want you to reach me
And show me all the things no one else can see
So what you feel becomes mine as well
And soon if we’re lucky we’d be unable to tell
What’s yours and mine, the fishing’s fine
And it doesn’t have to rhyme, so don’t you feed me a line
But you
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up?
When all it does is slow me down
Tra la la la la bombardier, this is the pilot speaking
I’ve got some news for you
It seems my ship still stands no matter what you drop
And there ain’t a whole lot that you can do
Oh sure the banner may be torn and the wind’s gotten colder
Perhaps I’ve grown a little cynical
But I know no matter what the waitress brings
I shall drink it and always be full, yeah I will drink it and always be full
Oh I like coffee and I like tea
I’d like to be able to enter a final plea
I still got this dream that you just can’t shake
I love you to the point you can no longer take
Well all right okay, so be that way
I hope and pray that there’s something left to say
But you
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up
When all it does is slow me down?
Oh you
Why you wanna give me a run-around?
Is it a sure-fire way to speed things up
When all it does is slow me down?
With its harmonica-laden melody and catchy chorus, Blues Traveler’s ‘Run-Around’ might initially strike listeners as just another jovial rock track from the 1990s. Yet, beneath the surface of its radio-friendly veneer lies a complex narrative, rich in metaphor and emotion.
Delving into the lyrical depths of this Grammy-winning tune, we encounter the story of a lover entrenched in the swirling ambiguity of a relationship, marked by evasion and uncertainty. It’s not just another pop song; it’s a poignant exploration of the human condition.
The Midnight Call: Unlocking the Narrative Portal
‘Oh, once upon a midnight eerie,’ sets the stage for a saga that entwines the mystique of a fairy tale with the all-too-human experience of heartache. The opening verse depicts the protagonist wrestling with the residue of a conversation – possibly the last straw in a series of deceptions.
Magicians, Heroes, and Hollywood: A Symphony of Disillusionment
The song’s narrative cleverly casts characters – a contestant, a magician, a hero – in a theater of the absurd, where reality is skewered, and truth is as elusive as a Hollywood promise. It speaks to the charade often played in love and life, where honesty is a currency in short supply.
Chasing the Run-Around: The Hidden Meaning Behind the Chorus
The titular ‘run-around’ is more than mere wordplay; it’s a metaphor for the frustrating, circular paths we tread in dysfunctional relationships. The chorus questions this dynamic pointedly, recognizing the futility of accelerating what only decelerates the soul.
Persistent Dreams and Love on Trial: The Unforgettable Verses
Beyond the infectious chorus, the verses harbor some of Run-Around’s most introspective lines. ‘I still got this dream that you just can’t shake’ – this confession of enduring hope amid disillusionment is the emotional core that listeners gravitate towards, resonating with anyone who’s ever been at love’s crossroads.
From Coffee to Final Pleas: The Quotable Climax
With references to coffee, tea, and the pursuit of a ‘final plea,’ the song uses the trivial to speak to the universal – the pursuit of resolution. Its poetic saga concludes with a paradoxical blend of hope and resignation, leaving us pondering our own quests for closure and clarity.
