Running With the Devil by Van Halen Lyrics Meaning – Striding Through Hedonistic Highways
Lyrics
I live my life like there’s no tomorrow
And all I’ve got, I had to steal
Least I don’t need to beg or borrow
Yes, I’m livin’ at a pace that kills
Ooh, yeah
Ahh (Runnin’ with the devil)
Ahh-hah, yeah
Woo-hoo-oo
(Runnin’ with the devil)
I’ll tell you all about it
I found the simple life ain’t so simple
When I jumped out, on that road
I got no love, no love you’d call real
Ain’t got nobody, waitin’ at home
Ahh, yeah
(Runnin’ with the devil)
(God, in the name of the lord of Nazareth, I’m only gon’ tell you one time)
Ahh, yeah
(Runnin’ with the devil) you bet I am, yeah
Woo
Woo
You know, uh, I found the simple life weren’t so simple
When I jumped out, on that road
Got no love, no love you’d call real
Got nobody, waitin’ at home
Ha-yeah
(Runnin’ with the devil)
Oh God, oh God, I’m runnin’, aw yeah
(Runnin’ with the devil) uh, uh
Ooh ooh, one more time
(Ha-yeah)
(Runnin’ with the devil) (oh, yeah)
(Runnin’ with the devil) (woo, woo, woo)
(Runnin’ with the devil) (ah-ha, yeah, ah-ha, yeah, ah-hah, yeah)
(Runnin’ with the devil) (woo)
A pulse-pounding baseline, Eddie Van Halen’s masterful guitar licks, and David Lee Roth’s unmistakable wail combine to create an anthem for the ages. ‘Running With the Devil’ remains not only one of Van Halen’s iconic tracks, but a staple of rock music that has reverberated through time since its release on their 1978 self-titled debut album.
Yet, beneath the crisp production and electrifying musicianship lies a narrative ripe with themes of defiance, isolation, and the perpetual chase for freedom from society’s shackles. The raw energy of the song, coupled with its candid lyricism, offers a glimpse into the rock and roll lifestyle while simultaneously reflecting on the price of such an existence.
Hedonism’s Razor Edge: Living at a Pace that Kills
The opening lines ‘I live my life like there’s no tomorrow / And all I’ve got, I had to steal’ are not just an ode to impulsiveness but an introspection of a relentless pursuit of life on the edge. In the gritty reality of rock stardom, Van Halen captures the dual thrill and peril of a life lived in the fast lane, where tomorrow’s consequences are dulled by today’s exhilaration.
It’s a candid admission of the reckless abandon that characterizes the rock persona — one that is often glamorized but rarely examined with such honesty. The notion of ‘livin’ at a pace that kills’ alludes to the destructive potential of this lifestyle, marking the song as a cautionary tale wrapped in an electric riff.
Burden of Fame: The Not-So-Simple Life
Stripping back the veneer of stardom, Roth croons about the disillusionment that comes with fame. ‘I found the simple life ain’t so simple / When I jumped out, on that road’ speaks to the complexities and entrapment of life on tour, a far cry from the pedestrian vision of tranquility many aspire to.
Through this confession, Van Halen acknowledges the paradox of the rockstar lifestyle: the tireless search for genuine connection amidst the numbing carousel of temporary highs and the echoing loneliness that comes when the stage lights dim.
An Unrequited Thirst for Affection: No Love You’d Call Real
Perhaps one of the song’s most poignant revelations lies in its exploration of love, or the stark absence of it. The lines ‘Got no love, no love you’d call real / Ain’t got nobody, waitin’ at home’ plunge into the emotional deficit that often haunts those who race through life, chased by personal devils of fame and restlessness.
This sentiment resonates as a universal truth beyond the realm of rock fame, as many can relate to the quest for a love that is tangible and enduring, in contrast to the fleeting adoration of fans and the superficial connections often fostered in the shadows of celebrity.
The Song’s Hidden Meaning: A Deal with the Metaphorical Devil
‘Running With the Devil’ might appear as a surface-level party rock anthem, yet it is infused with introspective depth. The devil, in this context, isn’t necessarily the pitchfork-wielding fiend of lore, but a metaphor for the personal demons and temptations that come with a life untethered by societal norms or expectations.
The repeated affirmation ‘Runnin’ with the devil’ is both a boast and a confession, capturing the duality of rebelling against the grain while acknowledging the inherent risks of racing ever closer to one’s downfall. It’s the ultimate expression of freedom, but that freedom comes at a soul-searching cost.
Eternal Echoes: Why the Song’s Memorable Lines Resonate
Lines like ‘Yes, I’m livin’ at a pace that kills’ and ‘Got nobody, waitin’ at home’ have left an indelible mark on the collective psyche of rock enthusiasts. They encapsulate the allure and the loneliness of a lifestyle that many marvel at but few truly understand.
The relentless chant of ‘Runnin’ with the devil’ becomes a siren’s call that speaks to the rebel in all of us, compelling listeners to question the cost of their own pursuits and the nature of the devil they may be running with, knowingly or not.
