Running

[Clean, slightly detuned guitar. Light tape hiss.]

[Spoken, barely above a whisper]
I thought I was fighting for truth.
I was just avoiding it.


[VERSE 1 (soft, confessional)]

I kept my headphones in too long
Let the feedback drown the ache
Said I hated all the noise
But I was scared of what it’d take

Every time the room went quiet
I’d reach for something else
Another argument to start
So I wouldn’t face myself

I blamed buildings, blamed the stage
Blamed the faces, blamed the names
But underneath the smoke and rage
I was terrified of change


[PRE-CHORUS (drums build)]

If I slowed down
If I stood still
I might have had to bend my will



[CHORUS (big, emotional)]

I was running from the quiet
Running from the weight
Running from the voice that said
You don’t have to live this way

I said I don’t need saving
I said I’m wide awake
But I was sprinting from conviction
Every time my chest would shake

I wasn’t brave
I wasn’t strong
I was just scared of being wrong



[VERSE 2 (heavier guitars underneath)]

I called my anger clarity
I called my pride resolve
If I could tear it all apart
I’d never have to evolve

I’d rather deconstruct the walls
Than let them fall on me
If everything is broken
Then I don’t have to see

That I was numb
That I was cold
That I was fighting just to hold
Control of something slipping slow



[PRE-CHORUS (harder)]

If I admitted I was lost
I’d lose the version that it cost



[CHORUS (bigger, screams layered)]

I was running from the quiet
Running from the truth
Running from the steady pull
Breaking through

I said I don’t need mercy
I said I’m doing fine
But every step away from You
Was just fear dressed up as mine

I wasn’t brave
I wasn’t strong
I was just scared of being wrong



[BREAKDOWN (panic energy)]

[Scream]
If I stop, I’ll hear it
If I hear it, I’ll bend
If I bend, I’ll lose
The image I defend

[Half-time chugs]
So I ran
So I ran
So I ran



[FINAL CHORUS (open, honest)]

I was running from the quiet
But the quiet never chased
It was patient in the corner
Waiting for the space

I said I don’t need saving
But I was worn thin
I wasn’t running from You—

I was running from giving in.



[OUTRO (clean, vulnerable)]
I was wrong.
I just didn’t want to admit it.

Midwest emo, Metalcore, male