Lyrics Uncovered: Kip Moore, ‘Running for You’
Kip Moore’s "Running for You" lyrics came from a bad relationship and a good one. The singer ended both and later wrote this song from Wild Ones with Troy Verges and Blair Daly.
The didn’t write it for this album, however. Moore tells Taste of Country he penned the second single from his latest album six years ago and cut it for the Up All Night album, but decided to scrap that version at the last second.
“That song was me observing how recklessly people throw around the word ‘love,’” Moore says. “I’ve never been one of those people that tosses that word around. I’ve said it to very few people my whole life.”
“People claim they love you but they wanna suppress you to stay at their level,” he adds. “They want to keep you at a level playing field because that keeps them secure … because that makes them feel safe.”
The first verse reflects this: “We had a good run / But I knew, I knew, I knew / I knew this day would come / As bad as I want to / Ain't no way, not me, girl / I ain't gonna stop you, yeah.”
Moore admits he went through relationships with one womab who treated him fairly and one who didn’t. That suppressive person isn’t a part of his life any longer, and while it’s not clear if the person who truly wished him well still is, he says he knows she is very happy for his success today. In that sense, he’s tapping into her conscious as he sings:
“I’m gonna miss you / But baby, there's no way that I can go with you / So go on and chase it / Yeah, I know, I know, I know / You can almost taste it / Yeah, time is a-wastin’.”
Moore brought the song to Daly and Verges after a 3AM jam session at his dark studio apartment in Nashville. He had just returned from the road and decided to plug in his guitar, as he was still wide awake. The riff came first, then the melody and a few lyrics. The two songwriters helped him finish writing the "Running for You" lyrics, and it was one they couldn’t forget.
People claim they love you but they wanna suppress you to stay at their level,” Moore adds. “They want to keep you at a level playing field because that keeps them secure … because that makes them feel safe.
Several big name singers wanted to record the song, but Moore kept it even after deciding it wasn’t right for Up All Night. He knew it needed its own place and a chance to shine as a single, so against the wishes of many on his team, he held tight to a story that is now all over the radio.
“But if the rain stops falling, falling on you / And your heart stops breaking, breaking in two / If the light starts fading, baby don't move / Just say my name, stay right there / I'll come running for you,” Moore sings at the chorus.
“I kept it and it’s still been a favorite for a long time,” Moore says of a very personal song on Wild Ones.
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