Run It

Album: released as a single (2024)
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Songfacts®:

  • "Run It" is a snappy clap-along track recorded by Jelly Roll for the action-adventure film Sonic the Hedgehog 3. It is the only original song created for the third installment of the franchise.
  • The repeated phrase "We gonna run it, run it, run it till we running out of road!" is, if you'll pardon the pun, pure sonic propulsion - a relentless mantra that mirrors Sonic's own unyielding drive. While the lyrics steer clear of explicitly referencing the movie's plot (or any mention of rings, emeralds, or shadowy adversaries), they channel an undeniable spirit of adventure and a "never say die" attitude that feels quintessentially Sonic.
  • Musically, "Run It" kicks off with breezy acoustic guitar strums and a clap-along rhythm that practically demands participation. These elements gradually escalate into a bright, infectious bridge. The vibe is unmistakably upbeat and full of movement, as if the song itself can't sit still, much like the titular hedgehog.
  • This isn't the first time the Sonic franchise has delivered a soundtrack designed to get your heart racing. "Run It" follows in the slipstream of earlier contributions, including the Wiz Khalifa, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Yachty, and Sueco collaboration "Speed Me Up" from the first film, and Kid Cudi's "Stars in the Sky" from the second. Jelly Roll brings his own country twist to the formula.
  • Jelly Roll co-wrote "Run It" with French DJ David Guetta, OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder, and Shaboozey's producer Sean Cook. This is Jelly Roll's first time working with Guetta and Cook. He seems to have hit it off with Tedder, though, as their remix of OneRepublic's Artificial Paradise track "Hurt" debuted the very same day as "Run It." Whether by design or coincidence, Jelly Roll clearly had his running shoes on for this one. (Don't laugh - Jelly Roll did a 5K in May 2024. He lost about 100 pounds that year.)

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