Running
Writing
Running is the oldest song on the album. I wrote that for my previous release, my mini-album, 'Lost and Found'. Once I started playing live to promote 'Lost and Found', I found I was playing that song differently due to the fact that I had recorded it in an open E tuning but when I played it live I used a normal tuning for easy sake. It changed the feel of the song in a good way I think.
Once I started playing with a backing band in Ireland, which I did for bigger gigs, we started adding bass and drums to it which again I thought enhanced the song.
Also, I thought "Running" got a bit hidden on 'Lost and Found' and felt it hadn't reached it's true potential yet.
Lastly, I had a number of friends, in particular Mike Basler whose musical advice I have always respected, tell me how much they liked that song and also that they felt it could be recorded even better.
Songwriting wise, I have always loved this song as it came very naturally and easily to me being written quickly over a couple of days on 2006. The lyrics as well came from a very real place for me and seemed to match the mood of the music very well.
Here is the first scratch demo I did before the lyrics were written back in 2006. You can hear some of the words there that would make their way into the song later:
Recording
I was excited to record this with the band as again, the original recording was just me on the track. Dave, Peter and I easily got into the feel of the song when we first rehearsed it and when we recorded it two days later.
This song is all about capturing the emotion and mood of the chords, melody and lyrics and I think we did just that. We played through the track probably six times and that was it. The recording you hear is the live track, me on acoustic guitar and singing live with Peter on bass and Dave on drums using his worn blastics plastic sticks instead of normal wooden sticks. I overdubbed the electric guitar two weeks later and Fab played the wonderful piano.
I was thrilled to have the amazing Nina Hynes graciously singing harmony with me on this track bringing an extra special colour and quality to it.
Track Information
Eric:
Acoustic Guitar (live with the band while singing lead vocal), Electric Guitar (Hohner semi-hollow body) Lead Vocal (live with the band while playing acoustic guitar)
Nina Hynes:
Vocals
Fab:
Piano
Dave Hingerty:
Drums (using worn blastics instead of sticks)
Peter Cheevers:
Bass
Lyrics
Running
Wait for me
I keep running towards, keep on running towards
the same sad dream from the night before, from the night before
clipped my wings left my body sore, left my body sore
Chorus:
I'd really love to sleep
I'm finding it hard to tell you what I need
I fled my world, all I've known before, all I've known before
and chased my dreams the life I'm longing for, life I'm longing for
filled my needs. Kept me running towards, kept me running towards
Chorus:
I'd really love to sleep
I'm finding it hard to tell you what I need
I'm finding it hard to let go
of everything I've ever known
I'm breaking it!
I'm shaking off this life I've left behind
and facing all the pain that's left inside
I'm shaking off this life I've left behind
and facing all the pain that's left inside