About the song
“Running On Empty” by Jackson Browne is an iconic track that encapsulates the essence of life on the road and the longing for connection amidst the constant motion. Released in 1977 as the title track of Browne’s album of the same name, this song quickly became a staple of the singer-songwriter genre and a timeless classic in the American music canon.
Written by Jackson Browne himself, “Running On Empty” speaks to the experiences of a touring musician, capturing the exhaustion, exhilaration, and introspection that come with life on tour. The song’s vivid imagery and evocative lyrics paint a portrait of a restless soul, always on the move yet yearning for stability and meaningful connections.
The album “Running On Empty” was a critical and commercial success, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart and earning widespread acclaim for its raw honesty and musical craftsmanship. Browne’s introspective songwriting and soulful vocals resonated deeply with audiences, cementing his status as one of the era’s most influential artists.
“Running On Empty” itself reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, further solidifying its place as one of Browne’s signature songs. Its enduring popularity has been reaffirmed through its inclusion in various films, television shows, and commercials over the years, attesting to its lasting impact on popular culture.
With its timeless appeal and universal themes, “Running On Empty” continues to resonate with listeners of all ages, serving as a poignant reminder of the human experience and the search for meaning in an ever-changing world.
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Lyrics
Lookin’ out at the road rushin’ under my wheels
Lookin’ back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In ’65 I was seventeen and runnin’ up 101
I don’t know where I’m runnin’ now, I’m just runnin’ on
runnin’ on empty
(Runnin’ on) runnin’ blind
(Runnin’ on) runnin’ into the sun
But I’m runnin’ behind
Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
Tryin’ not to confuse it with what you do to survive
In ’69 I was twenty-one and I called the road my own
I don’t know when that road turned onto the road I’m on
runnin’ on empty
(Runnin’ on) runnin’ blind
(Runnin’ on) runnin’ into the sun
But I’m runnin’ behind
Everyone I know
Everywhere I go
People need some reason to believe
I don’t know about anyone but me
If it takes all night
That’d be alright
If I can get you to smile before I leave
Lookin’ out at the road rushin’ under my wheels
I don’t know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
I look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
Lookin’ into their eyes, I see them runnin’ too
runnin’ on empty
(Runnin’ on) runnin’ blind
(Runnin’ on) runnin’ into the sun
But I’m runnin’ behind
Honey, you really tempt me, you know, the way you look so kind
I’d love to stick around, but I’m runnin’ behind
(Runnin’ on)
You know I don’t even know what I’m hopin’ to find
(Runnin’ blind)
Runnin’ into the sun but I’m runnin’ behind