Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “Running Out of Places to Go” by The Swellers
The Swellers’ song ‘Running Out of Places to Go’ captures the feeling of being stuck in a rut and desperately wanting to get moving on again. The lyrics describe a person who has been running in circles for so long that they “can’t tell right from wrong” and who feels like they are “running out of places to go”. This could refer to a physical journey, the protagonist running out of options to explore that would take them out of their stagnation, but it more likely indicates the mental state of the narrator – stuck in the same patterns of thought and emotion and unable to see a way out.
The chorus declares the narrator’s determination to “keep on running”, showing a resigned commitment to keep trying despite the lack of options. This could be interpreted to refer to their attempt to escape their monotonous situation or to ‘run’ towards something, a dream or an aim, as a way of staying involved with life. As the song progresses, they declare that “everyday gets the same”, describing a feeling of total boredom and stagnancy that leaves them “feeling so dumb” – so empty of direction or purpose that they have nothing to do but mindlessly go through the motions of life.
The bridge grows more desperate, as the narrator begs for help, for a sign “in the dark” that will guide them away from all this. They are asking for a sign from something outside themselves, maybe the higher power that they find in nature, to show them that there is still hope and that life can still be worth living in spite of everything. The song ends with a chilling “take me away” as the narrator’s plea for help and this feeling of resignation finishes off the track perfectly.
The Swellers capture the feeling of hopelessness perfectly in ‘Running Out of Places to Go’. The words paint a vivid picture of the desperation of someone who feels so stuck in their situation that they can’t see a way out. While the song has a bleak overall tone, it also conveys a message of perseverance and determination to never give up, even in the face of impossible odds.