Run

Album: Human (2021)
Charted: 90
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder urging fans not to get caught up in the negativity portrayed by the media.

    They tell you that the sky might fall
    They'll say that you might lose it all
    So I run until I hit that wall
    Yeah, I learned my lesson, count my blessings
    Look to the rising sun and run, run, run


    Rather than being weighed down by all the bad news, Tedder has learned to ignore everything that makes him depressed. Instead, he is going to do what he wants, live in the moment, and enjoy life.
  • Speaking to the UK newspaper The Sun, Tedder said he was inspired to write the song after the COVID news started to scare him. "It's more important to block 99 percent of that noise out and live life while you're alive," he said. "Do it, see it, take it in, try it all, don't stand around being paralyzed by bad news - instead, run."

    "Chase whatever it is you want because life goes quick," Tedder continued. "I'm constantly doing things that scare me and chasing new experiences and goals. In that chase, I'm having fun. Because I'm living."
  • The coronavirus pandemic also inspired "Better Days," a bonus track on the Deluxe version of Human.
  • Ryan Tedder wrote and produced the song with:

    His go-to songwriting partner, One Republic bass player Brent Kutzle.

    Montreal-based producer and songwriter John Nathaniel, whose other OneRepublic credits include the Human tracks "Didn't I" and Better Days."

    Songwriter and producer Tyler Spre. He co-penned Human's second single, "Wanted," and also contributed to the production of "Didn't I" and "Better Days."
  • Tomás Whitmore directed the video, which sees Ryan Tedder portray a film star running between different sets. Among the Hollywood movies it pays homage to are Top Gun, Tootsie, Wall Street, West Side Story, and Singin' in the Rain.

    John Whitmore's other credits include Snakehips Ft. Tinashe & Chance the Rapper's "All My Friends" (2015) and John Mayer's "Still Feel Like Your Man" (2017).
  • "Run" entered the UK Official Singles Chart at #90 after it was used as the official song for England vs. Scotland during the EURO football championships on June 18, 2021.
  • Tedder told the UK Newspaper The Sun that Brent Kutzle did most of the legwork on "Run." He said: "I was actually on a run on a remote island when Brent sent this song to me and I was immediately drawn to the production and the whistle. Brent wrote the song about me - I am notorious for being on the run all the time. I changed a few lyrics and melodies but overall, 'Run' was easy to write."

Comments: 2

  • R from NowhereWOW
  • Lethe from ChicagoWhat film is the gunfight scene (with Zana Gankhuyag) from?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"They're Playing My Song

Shears does very little promotion, which has kept him secluded from the spotlight. What changed when Cyndi Lauper had a hit with his song? Not much, really.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.