Runnin'

J Dilla

About Runnin'

"Runnin'" is a song performed by The Pharcyde and produced by J Dilla. It was released as the first single from The Pharcyde's second album Labcabincalifornia in 1995. The song peaked at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached #35 on the U. S. R&B chart. Also featured in The Pharcyde's greatest hits compilation Cydeways: The Best of The Pharcyde, Runnin' is one of Pharcyde's most remembered songs, along with "Passin' Me By".


Year:
2009
5:03
28 

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[Chorus: x4]
Can't keep runnin' away

[Fat Lip]
I must admit on some occasions I went out like a punk
And a chump or a sucker or something to that effect
Respect I used to never get when all I got was upset
When niggas use to be like 'What's up fool!' and tried
To seat a nigga like the Lip for no reason at all I can
Recall crip niggas throwin' c in my face down the hall
I'm kickin' it in the back of the school eatin' chicken at
Three, wonderin' why is everybody always pickin' on me
I tried to talk and tell tham chill I did nothing to deserve
This But when it didn't work I wasn't scared just real
Nervous and unprepared to deal with scrappin' no doubt
Cause my pappy never told me how to knock a nigga out
But now in 95 I must survive as a man on my own F*ck
Around with Fatlip yes ya get blown I'm not trying to show
No macho is shown but when it's on, if it's on, then it's on!

[Chorus: x4]

[Slim Kid Tre]
There comes a time in every mans life when he's gotta
Handle up on his own Can't depend on friends to
Help you in a squeeze, please they got problems of their
Own Down for the count on seven chickens shits don't
Get to heaven til they faced these fears in these fear
Zones Used to get jacked back in high school I played
It cool just so some real shit won't get full blown Being
Where I'm from they let the smoke come quicker than an
Evil red-neck could lynch a helpless colored figure And
As a victim I invented low-key til the keyhole itself got
Lower than me So I stood up and let my free form form
Free. Said I'm gonna get some before they knockin' out me.
I don't sweat it I let the bullshit blow in the breeze
In other words just freeze

[Chorus: x4]

[Knumbskull #1]
It's 1995 now that I'm older stress weighs on my shoulders
Heavy as boulders but I told ya
Till the day that I die I still will be a soldier and that's all I told
Ya and that's all I showed ya
And all this calamity is rippin' my sanity
Can it be I'm a celebrity
Whose on the brink of insanity
Now don't be wishin's of switchin' any positions with me
Cause when you in my position, it ain't never easy
To do any type of maintaining cause all this gaming and famin' from
Entertainin' is hella straining to the brain and
But I can't keep running I just gotta keep keen and cunnin'

[Repeat: x13]
Cant keep runnin' away

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J Dilla

James Dewitt Yancey (February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006), better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan. According to his obituary at NPR.org, he "was one of the music industry's most influential hip-hop artists, working for big-name acts like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes and Common." more »

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Written by: Derrick Lemel Stewart, Emandu Wilcox, Luiz Bonfa, Maria Helena De Toledo Chermont, Romye Robinson, Tre Vant Hardson, James Yancy

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

General Information
"Runnin'" is a track by The Pharcyde, produced by renowned hip-hop producer J Dilla, then known as Jay Dee.
Release Date
The song was released as the first single off The Pharcyde's second album, "Labcabincalifornia" in 1995.
Chart Performance
Although not a significant chart hit upon its initial release, "Runnin'" has since become one of The Pharcyde's most popular songs.
Content and Theme
"Runnin'" is about overcoming obstacles and dealing with the pressures of life instead of running away from problems or difficulties.
Pop Culture Influence
The song is highly recognized in the hip-hop community and is often cited as a classic example of 90s West Coast hip-hop.
Sampling
The track uses a number of samples, including a piano riff from Stan Getz's "Saudade Vem Correndo" and drums from American rock band The Eagles' "The Window."
Music Video
The music video for "Runnin'" was directed by Sanji and features the members of The Pharcyde running away from various things, including themselves.
J Dilla’s Influence
"Runnin'" solidified J Dilla's reputation as an innovative producer, with his fresh interpretations of samples setting a trend in hip-hop production.
Awards
In 2008, it was voted number 26 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs list.
Legacy
Even after decades, "Runnin'" remains relevant and continues to be covered, sampled, and spun by DJs worldwide.
Cover versions and Remixes
"Runnin'" has been remixed and covered by many artists, including Phil Asher and Rae & Christian.

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