The Runner

Album: Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost - Part 2 (2019)
Charted: 87
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "The Runner" is the first song with lyrics on Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 2. The last two tracks on Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 1 are set in a world of environmental destruction and social dislocation. Opening with a bombastic guitar riff, this tune's opening lines find Yannis Philippakis determined to keep persevering despite the troubles we are facing. As the singer keeps charging through the embers of this burnt out world, he vows to find a sense of purpose.

    Shadow, see how far I go
    Step by step I'll keep it up, I won't slow, I gotta go
    Through the embers, through the rows
    Every shadow step I take, I'll make sure that I won't break.


    Philippakis explained to DIY magazine: "'Sunday' and 'I'm Done with the World (& It's Done with Me)' [from ENSWBL Part 1] end in lots of imagery of fire and the world being devastated, and this record exists in the wreckage of everything that came from that."
  • The video, which was directed by French visual artist Quentin Deronzier, sees Yannis Philippakis being mercilessly chased by his doppelgänger. The singer's lookalike is played by the Lebanese actor Vincent Heneine.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Jimmy Webb

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Michael Bolton

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.