Songs That’ll Make You Wanna Run II | Playlist 🎧

1. 21 Savage & Metro Boomin, “Runnin”

💿 Savage Mode II • 🏷 Epic • 🗓 2020

🎵 “Runnin,” the first full-length track from 💿 Savage Mode II, the collaborative album by 🎙 21 Savage and 🎙 Metro Boomin, is nothing short of epic – NO CAP! The production by Metro goes hard, as does 21’s bars. 🎙 Diana Ross contributes to the epic sound, thanks to the sample of her 1976 classic, “I Thought It Took a Little Time (But Today I Fell in Love)”.

As classy as Ross sounds on the sampled intro, 21 Savage truly is in ‘savage mode,’ dropping numerous lit, unapologetic one-liners.  While there’s nothing humorous per se, it’s hard not to chuckle when he asserts, “I was at the Met Gala with my shooter (on God).” The best part of the record is the chorus, which is infectious AF.

“Runnin’, runnin’, runnin’, runnin’
Runnin’, runnin’, I leave all my cars
…all my opps be
…wipe his nose, it was
…Savage never did no.”

2. Joji, “Run”

💿 Nectar • 🏷 88rising / 12Tone Music • 🗓 2020 

🎵 “Run”, a personal favorite from Nectar, takes on more of an alternative pop vibe. Rather than rely on a backdrop of keyboards and synths, 🎙 Joji is backed by electric guitar. Furthermore, we get more sweet falsetto on the awesome chorus.

“I know you’re not in love, like you used to be
Guess I’m not the one, like you used to think
So, you just run…”

The lyrics are emotionally charged, with reminiscence of a defunct relationship driving the narrative. “I fell for your magic, I tasted your skin,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “And though this is tragic, at least I found the end.”  On the second, he asks, “Will I pay my dues? / Your love was a mystery / Yeah, my love is a fool / And I travel the country just to get to you.” It seems that him, as well as his ex-, are ‘running’ away from past emotions.

3. Ali Gatie, “Running on My Mind”

🎵 “Running on My Mind” • 🏷 LISN / Warner • 🗓 2020 

“Ever since I met you / I cannot forget you / You been running on my / Running on my mind.” 🎙 Ali Gatie certainly has a catchy chorus to work with no his succinct single, 🎵 “Running on My Mind”. The R&B singer excels when it comes to matters of the heart, and the song at hand is no exception. It’s not particularly flashy, but enjoyable and respectable. The script is pretty cut and dry.  Gatie simply can’t get this particular girl off of his mind that he LOST.  He knows he messed up, but he wants to atone and do better this second round.  “I been running circles tryna find someone like you but you’re one of a kind,” he sings on the first verse, later adding, “Please let me fix the things I couldn’t fix before.”

On the second verse, he’s repentant, taking responsibility for his wrongs:

“There was times I pushed you away and it made you sad
And I know
It shouldn’t have taken losing you to see what I have.”

Gatie does plenty of things right musically, but “Running on my Mind” never delivers that big ‘ah ha’ moment. Still, it’s not too shabby – enjoyable and definitely respectable.

4. The Kid LAROI, “RUNNING”

💿 F*CK LOVE • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2020 

Music is universal, and don’t you ever forget it! That’s why a teen rapper from Australia can be a big deal in the United States – NO CAP! 🎙 The Kid LAROI (Charlton Howard) is indeed just a kid, born in 2003! That said, this 17-year-old is no ordinary kid and definitely has bars and an appealing style. His debut commercial mixtape, the unapologetically titled 💿 F*CK LOVE, debuted in the top-10 of the Billboard 200 (no. 8).  Arguably the biggest attraction from F*CK LOVE was “Go” featuring the late, great Juice WRLD. That said, Charlton also gives a joint that pertains to the theme of this list “RUNNING.”

“I know that you mad at me, givin’ attitude / Can I make you feel comfortable?” Clearly, the two-and-quarter-minute-long “RUNNING” fits the concept of F*CK LOVE. Beyond the pre-chorus, The Kid asserts on the chorus of the 12^th track, “I just keep on running back to you, you, you, you.” Those matters of the heart, they’re something else! Like many shorter, less traditional contemporary songs, there is only one verse.  It sufficiently captures the situation, as unapologetically as the mixtape title:

“Girl, I know you
Talkin’ to all of your friends, tell ‘em you don’t fuck with me
Now you fuckin’ me, 2AM, you tellin’ me you lovin’ me
No trust in me, everything you do now because of me
Girl, I really gave you it all.”

There it is! “RUNNING” is produced by The Kid LAROI, Khaled Rohaim, and Haan. No RUNNING from this one!

5. Justin Bieber, “Running Over”

Ft. Lil Dicky

💿 Changes • 🏷 Def Jam • 🗓 2020

“Keep runnin’ over me with your lovin’ / I’m only right here for your consumption / Keep runnin’ over me with your lovin’ / Lookin’ like it’s turnin’ into something.” RUN, JUSTIN, RUN!!! Here’s the thing… Before even listening to 🎵 “Running Over,” it’s hard not to roll your eyes.  Why? Well, one has to question why Grammy-winning pop artist 🎙 Justin Bieber felt it necessary to feature 🎙 Lil Dicky on the eighth track of his 2020 comeback album, 💿 Changes.  Of course, pre-judging “Running Over” would be totally unfair, so, actually listening to it is a requirement – only fair!

The thing is, even after unfairly prejudging “Running Over,” I wouldn’t deem it as a tour de force on Changes. “Post intercourse when you walk by / More buns than a Shop Rite” doesn’t exactly scream depth, Lil Dicky… Again, not fair to prejudge, but something about “Running Over” seemed like it was, um, questionable before actually partaking of it. The script, lyrically and musically, is predictable.  Maybe this is a joint that will make you wanna run after all…

6. The Killers, “Running Towards a Place”

💿 Imploding the Mirage • 🏷 Island • 🗓 2020 

“And if we’re running towards a place / Where we’ll walk as one / Will the hardness of this life / Be overcome?” The 80s are alive and well in 2020 – at least in the hands of 🎙 Brandon Flowers and 🎙 The Killers! Their exceptional 2020 LP, 💿 Imploding the Mirage has numerous moments embracing the sounds of the past quite effectively. A prime example: 🎵 “Running Towards a Place.”

On “Running Towards a Place,” driving rhythm, exuberant guitars, and bright keyboards are big selling points. Brandon Flowers is in top-notch form, which is key to the success of The Killers – the man can S-A-N-G! Furthermore, great lyrics propelling him and the album itself even higher.  Exhibit A:

“The moment we met
Burst like a star
Onto the canvas of the skyline, purple and gold
We’re in this together, I ain’t never letting go.” 

7. Tyler, The Creator, “Running Out of Time”

💿 IGOR • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2019

🎙 Tyler, the Creator earned his first Grammy win with his superb, 2019 studio album, 💿 IGOR.  IGOR was awarded for Best Rap Album, though it’s not the proper stylistic characterization ultimately.  Regardless, Tyler got much deserved recognition for one of the best albums released in 2019, regardless of genre. We’re able to recognize the musician here on this run-driven list with two moments from IGOR, keying in most on 🎵 “Running Out of Time.”

Despite featuring one of the more intriguing titles on IGOR, the first run-driven moment, 🎵 “Exactly What You Run from You End Up Chasing” is spoken word interlude that runs all of 15 seconds, performed by comedian 🎙 Jerrod Carmichael.  It serves as a fitting pre-cursor to the smooth 🎵 “Running Out of Time.”  🎙 Jessy Wilson assists Tyler heavily early on before he takes the reins fully on the second verse.  Following the more melodic first verse, the second verse eliminates any sense of pop-rap in favor of straight-up rhymes.  Essentially, things are quite complicated in this relationship Tyler speaks of, signaled by the titular phrase.  Again, the question of Tyler’s sexuality identity arises on the key second verse:

“So,
Take your mask off
I need her out the picture (Wade in your water)
Take your mask off (Yeah)
Stop lyin’ for these niggas
Stop lyin’ to yourself
I know the real you.”

8. The Script, “Run Through Walls”

💿 Sunsets & Full Moons • 🏷 Sony • 🗓 2019

“I’ve got friends that will run through walls / I’ve got friends that will fly once called / When I’ve got nowhere left to go / And I need my heroes / I’ve got friends that will run through walls.” Sigh, that’s a beautifully penned, thoughtful chorus if I do say so myself! It hails from 🎵 “Run Through Walls,” which appears as the third track from 💿 Sunsets & Full Moons.  Sunsets & Full Moons is the sixth studio album by Irish pop/rock collective, 🎙 The Script, who are best known for hits such as “Hall of Fame”, “Breakeven”, and “Superheroes”.

Sunsets & Full Moons didn’t ignite the US charts, but at least we were blessed with “Run Through Walls,” which is quite personal and reflective throughout its course.  🎙 Danny O’Donoghue speaks to the power of true friendship.  On the first verse, while he asserts, “There’s no one born with X-Ray eyes,” he goes on to say, “But you always say the words that save my life.”  On the second verse, he cites a specific event – “And that day my mother died” – to reference the power of real friends.  “And you held me up and you wiped my eyes,” he sings, continuing, “It was in that moment when I realized.” Walls, indeed, have been broken down.

Also appears on 🔽:

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9. J. Cole, “Runaway”

💿 Born Sinner • 🏷 Roc Nation • 🗓 2013

“Aw shit, goddamn, I think the devil got his hands on me /… She pop a molly, let the motherfuckin’ games begin / I’m running away.” Additionally, on 🎵 “Runaway,” the seventh track from his 2013 album, 💿 Born Sinner, 🎙 J. Cole brags about having more ‘notches in his belt’ compared to Justin Bieber (“This just in, fucked more bitches than Bieber though / Still I keep it low, got my niggas on the need to know…”).  Bieber would’ve been 19 at the time “Runaway” materialized, so, who knows how lit his sex life was – none of our business, nonetheless!

“Could I run away from 50 mill like Dave Chappelle?” It is, indeed, food for thought J. Cole! Ultimately, “Runaways” has no shortage of captivating and compelling lyrics from the rapper. He exhibits an agile flow – NO CAP! Also, worth noting, there is an intro that samples Mike Epps (“You see him by himself, ‘What’s up Tony?’ ‘Hey, where’s the bitches at, nigga?! Where’s the bitches?!’”).

10. Ashanti, “Runaway”

💿 BraveHeart • 🏷 eOne/Written Entertainment • 🗓 2014

💿 BraveHeart, the long and oft-delayed 2014 album by 🎙 Ashanti, ended up being a much better album than expected, particularly given the criticism she’s received vocally. She gets many things right on BraveHeart including the run-driven standout, 🎵 “Runaway.”

Within the context of the album, “Runaway” prove to be a commanding, incredibly enjoyable number. “Runaway” is set in a minor key, with a darker sound suiting the hard, old school hip-hop soul beat perfectly.  “I try to make it work,” she sings on the catchy, emotional chorus. “I try to make it work, but I just end up hurt / I tell you it’s okay cause I don’t wanna leave / But you make it so hard for me to stay so I run away.” Ashanti definitely ‘lets it rip’ more vocally. 

11. Jay-Z, “Run This Town”

Ft. Kanye West & Rihanna

💿 The Blueprint 3 • 🏷 Roc Nation • 🗓 2009

“Life’s a game, but it’s not fair / I break the rules, so I don’t care / So I keep doin’ my own thang / Walkin’ tall against the rain…” There’s no better way to conclude this town-centric playlist than a big-time hip-hop hit.  Well, we could’ve selected other songs, but hey, the song at hand is pretty sick IMO. Anyways, taking it back to 2009, 🎙 Jay-Z had a juggernaut on his hands with 🎵 “Run This Town.” He didn’t drop the hotness without any assists of course.  🎙 Rihanna kills it on the aforementioned memorable chorus, which continues a little something like this: “Victory’s within the mile / Almost there, don’t give up now / Only thing that’s on my mind / Is who’s gon’ run this town tonight.”

Beyond Rihanna, 🎙 Kanye West drops a smoking hot third verse, along with co-producing (“This the fast life, we are on a crash course / What you think I rap for, to push a fuckin’ RAV4?”).  Also, it should be noted that 🎙 No I.D. co-produces as well.  But of course, the man of the hour is Hov, who shines like the boss he is on the first and second verses.  His opening line – in response to the Rihanna hook – sets the tone as he raps, “We are, yeah, I said it: we are / This is Roc Nation, pledge your allegiance.” Town-centric? More like Roc-centric! 

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Thrilling Songs All About the Town (Part II)

12. All Time Low, “Runaways”

💿 Future Hearts • 🏷 Hopeless • 🗓 2015

🎙 All Time Low are known for grandiose, ‘over the top’ records atoning for lonely, disrespected, and ‘voiceless’ kids everywhere. Hell yeah! On their 2015 album, 💿 Future Hearts, the pop-punk/emo band, led by 🎙 Alex Gaskarth, delivered yet another captivating set, including perfectly placed f-bombs, irresistible choruses, emo lyrics, and slick productions. But enough background – let’s get right into the running song at hand, 🎵 “Runaways!”

“Runaways” features some of the best production of Future Hearts, benefiting from its 80s cues. On the cut, there’s a notion of the underdog surviving, which falls in line with ATL’s lyrics.  It’s drenched in drama, fitting for the emo collective.  Prime evidence of such comes by ways of such lines like, “I’m your fool in a one-man show,” and confirmed by the gargantuan chorus:

“So, let’s run away
They will have to find another heart to break
Why don’t we just run away?
Never turn around, no matter what they say
We’ll find our way
When the sun goes down on this town
There’ll be no one left but us
Just like runaways
They will have to find some other hearts to break
Hearts to break.”

13.Beyoncé, “Run the World (Girls)”

💿 4 • 🏷 Sony • 🗓 2011

“Girls, we run this mutha (yeah!)” That’s that attitude that only 🎙 Beyoncé can bring to the track, sigh. Ask yourself, this one, burning question: “Who run the world?” Whether you’re a boy, girl, man, woman or otherwise, the ONLY correct answer is GIRLS. NO CAP!

No, Yoncé’s 🎵 “Run the World (Girls)” for her under-appreciated, 2011 album, 💿 4, didn’t pack the same punch as “Crazy in Love” or “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”. Even so, the badass girl power packed into this single is undeniable to the nth degree. Throw in awesome production by 🎙 Terius “The-Dream” Nash and 🎙 Switch, and “Run the World (Girls)” is still quite an important, impactful record in the artist’s illustrious music collection.

“Some of them men think they freak this
Like we do, but no they don’t
Make your check, come at they neck
Disrespect us, no they won’t
Boy, don’t even try to touch this.”

Aww snap! Boys everywhere, step TF aside because the “Girls, run this!”

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