[Verse 1]
Three in the morning, the fluorescent lights are humming a dirge
The shelves are full of plastic and the hunger starts to surge
I grabbed a pack of cigarettes and a gallon of high-octane gold
Feeling like a conqueror, but feeling twice as old!
[Verse 2]
I headed for the exit, eyes fixed on the midnight blue
But the ghost of an old man saw exactly what I planned to do!
[Pre-Chorus: Heavy drums kick in like gunfire, violins screeching]
He gripped my leather jacket with a hand like a rusted vice!
He started screaming “POLICE!”—and I didn’t think it twice!
He wouldn’t let go, he wouldn’t let me reach the door
And then the red mist descended, and I couldn’t take no more!
(Backing Vocals: COULDN’T TAKE NO MORE!)
[Chorus: Massive Wall of Sound, Orchestral Explosion]
AND I SWUNG FOR THE HEAVENS BUT I LANDED IN THE DIRT!
CALCULATED THE FREEDOM, BUT I DIDN’T COUNT THE HURT!
I saw his face hit the pavement, I heard the crack of the bone
And suddenly, baby, I’ve never been so alone!
There’s blood on the concrete, and there’s blood on my shaking hands
A killer on the loose, running through the promised lands!
[Verse 3: Darker, Industrial beat, heavy bass]
I can hear the seconds scratching at the inside of my skull
The silence is a hammer and the blade is never dull!
There’s a shadow in the corner, there’s a footprint on the floor
I’ve locked the windows tight but I can’t find the goddamn door!
The walls are closing in like the jaws of a trap
I’m a nervous wreck, baby, and I’m ready to snap!
[Bridge 1: Sudden drop to silence. A single eerie violin note and a rhythmic heart-thump]
[Spoken Word]
“He’s not moving. I looked back… and he just… he just stayed there. The oil and the blood, they look the same under those lights. I’m not a rebel anymore. I’m just a ghost with a heavy foot. And God… I can still feel his hand on my jacket.”
[Bridge 2]
(Choir: RUNNING! RUNNING!)
My pulse is a piston! My blood is a flood!
I’m writing my name in the dust and the mud!
It’s a countdown to zero! It’s a race against the light!
And there’s nowhere left to hide in the middle of the night!
YES, I SWUNG FOR THE HEAVENS BUT I LANDED IN THE DIRT!
I’M A RED-LINE SINNER WITH A SOUL THAT’S STARTING TO FRY!
WATCHING THE BLUE LIGHTS DANCING AGAINST THE DESERT SKY!
It’s a long way to heaven, but I’ve built a bridge to hell
And I’m the only prisoner in this chrome-plated cell!
(Backing Vocals: CHROME-PLATED CELL!)
THE SIREN IS COMING! THE SKY IS TURNING BLACK AND BLUE!
WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!
GOD, SAVE THE RUNAWAY!
(Choir: SAVE THE RUNAWAY!)
PARDON THE HEART ON THE RUN!