Run by AWOLNATION Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Layers Behind the Electric Refrain
Lyrics
I am a human being, capable of doing terrible things
I am a human being, capable of doing terrible things
I am a human being, capable of doing terrible things
There’s lightning striking all over the world
There’s lightning striking all over the world
There’s lightning striking all over the world
There’s lightning striking all over the world
Ooh
I am a human being, capable of doing terrible things
I am a human being, capable of doing terrible things
Run
Oh oh oh
Hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
You people are mistaken if you think that
I’m awake and celebrating anything that I’ve become
You people are mistaken if you think that
I’m awake and celebrating anything that I’ve become
AWOLNATION’s ‘Run’ is a track that bursts with frenetic energy, a thumping bassline, and a haunting repetition that locks listeners into its cadence. But beneath its raw musical power lies a depth of introspection and social commentary that requires a keen ear to decipher.
Released in 2015, ‘Run’ quickly became a fan favorite for its infectious beat and enigmatic lyrics. The song’s stark admittance of human fallibility coupled with its apocalyptic imagery conjures a world teetering on the edge of morality and chaos.
The Confession of Humanity’s Dark Side
The opening lines of ‘Run,’ repeated like a mantra, tap into a primordial truth about human nature. ‘I am a human being, capable of doing terrible things,’ the lyrics confess, serving as a chilling reminder of mankind’s potential for darkness. The message is clear and deliberate, challenging listeners to confront the universal capability for harm that resides within us all.
Unlike songs that explore the duality of human nature in a narrative form, ‘Run’ presents this understanding unabashedly, without context or story, demanding introspection on the raw capacity for destruction that lies dormant in the human psyche.
Apocalyptic Imagery and Global Unrest
The repeated mention of ‘lightning striking all over the world’ paints a picture of global disturbance, evoking a sense of collective upheaval. It mirrors the tumult of our times, reflecting a world in which conflict and chaos are as globalized as trade and the internet.
This powerful imagery acts as a metaphor for not only climatic fury but also societal and political strife, where sparks of dissent can ignite revolutionary movements or fuel destructive conflicts.
Unmasking the Hidden Meaning
At its heart, ‘Run’ may be seen as a chilling portrait of self-awareness and the burden of knowledge. The protagonist is not the hero we find in many songs. Instead, they are all too aware of their imperfections and the collective somnolence that humanity seems to be under.
This awareness sits heavily, creating a tension between understanding one’s potential for evil and the temptation to remain ignorant. ‘Run’ isn’t just a call for physical movement but an invitation to mentally escape from the realities we dare not face.
A Cry Against Complacency and False Perception
‘You people are mistaken if you think that I’m awake and celebrating anything that I’ve become,’ these lines deliver an indictment of surface-level judgments and the presumption that awareness equates to contentment. Often, the deeper one delves into the self or society’s ills, the more disquieting the celebration becomes.
Thus, ‘Run’ speaks to a collective denial where the ‘celebration’ of progress or stability is often marred by underlying issues that are overlooked or ignored, further emphasizing the song’s themes of disillusionment and self-reflection.
Chant-Like Repetition and the Power of Memorable Lines
The use of repetition in ‘Run’ serves to engrain its message, creating an almost hypnotic effect, ensuring the words echo in the minds of listeners long after the music has ceased. By repeatedly stating ‘I am a human being, capable of doing terrible things,’ it becomes a kind of dark affirmation, a recognition of potential for both creation and destruction.
This musical technique is far from accidental; it’s designed to provoke thought and to stay with us, prompting a reflection on our nature, our society, and our impact on the world. It becomes clear that the most resonant songs are often those with the simplest, yet most profound, of declarations.
