Always on the Run

Album: Mama Said (1991)
Charted: 41
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song features Slash from Guns N' Roses on guitar. Slash and Kravitz went to the same high school (Beverly Hills High School), but knew each other only fleetingly. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Martin - Rostock, Germany
  • Kravitz initially invited Slash to record a solo for "Fields Of Joy," but they decided to also write a song together. Slash already had the music in mind for a Guns N' Roses song, but because Steven Adler couldn't do the drumming, he brought it to Kravitz instead.
  • This featured in the films The Waterboy (1998) and Go (1999).
  • Slash met up with Kravitz for a vodka-fueled songwriting session directly after finishing his European tour. "After the last date, he jumped on the Concorde and flew from London to New York at nine in the morning," Kravitz recalled to Rolling Stone. "He had me get a gallon of vodka and a bag of ice, and we went in the studio and bang, there it was. The two of us wrote and cut the tune. I played drums; he played guitar; then I played my guitar, bass and did the vocals. I brought the horn players in and it was done. Then he got on a plane the next morning and went to LA It was a wild day."
  • The album takes its name from the song's first line: "My mama said that your life is a gift." This track, in particular, was inspired by her wisdom. The singer explained: "The lyrics are about how my mom always wanted to give me her wisdom. She would want me to slow down sometimes to think and take things in. I was just on a crazy ride at the time and couldn't slow down. She was telling me this stuff at the time... 'but I'm always on the run."

Comments: 3

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 17th 1993, Lenny Kravitz performed "Always On The Run" on the NBC-TV program 'Saturday Night Live'...
    One year earlier it reached #8 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart...
    The video of the song was directed by singer Bob Dylan's eldest son, Jesse.
  • Michael from Staten Island, NyWow, only one comment on this song and three facts? This song deservs way better. Any song with either Slash or Lenny Kravitz is destined for greatness. Put these two together, and wow. Aerosmith's manager stated that is he were to pick a replacement for Stephen Tyler (as he;s definetly out of the band), he would pick Lenny Kravitz.
  • Jim from Long Beach, CaGreat riff, You gotta love Slash on this.Lenny Kravitz should front Velvet Revolver, now that would be interesting..
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.