Well I'm so sad tonight
And the words won't come out right
It's been a long day on the track
And its stamina that I lack

So won't you run to me tonight?
Tonight could turn but we're just lovers
But I'll only ever be a middle distance runner

Well my heart is beating hard
And I'm off with a shot at the start
And my legs tremble from strain
But by the finish line I'll drain

So won't you run to me tonight?
Tonight let's not talk about next summer
Cause I'll only ever be a middle distance runner

Well I'm so proud tonight
Of the woman you've become
And I'm just too tired to fight
So my darling, I'll succumb

But you'll have to run to me tonight
Tonight I will love you forever
But I'll only ever be a middle distance runner


Lyrics submitted by untitledxx, edited by ChloBro421

Middle Distance Runner Lyrics as written by Alex Brown Church

Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Middle Distance Runner song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

16 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    Well I'm so sad tonight And the words won't come out right It's been a long day on the track And it's stamina that I lack

    • I think it's about a man who is in love with a free-spirited woman. Being with her is exhilarating, but exhausting; it feels like he's constantly chasing after her. He's trying to match her pace, but it's just not in him.

    So won't you run to me tonight? Tonight we could pretend that we're just lovers But I'll only ever be a middle distance runner

    • Here he's asking her to meet him half-way. Instead of him always following her, would she be willing to stop and come to him for once? He's laying it out plainly for her: "I'll only ever be a middle distance runner", which is to say, I'm a 'take things slowly as they come' kind of guy, and I may not be as quick to sprint ahead as you are, but if you're okay with that, I want to be with you.

    Well my heart is beating hard And I'm off with a shot at the start And my legs tremble from strain But by the finish line I am drained

    • Another stanza describing the constant game of catch up that characterizes their relationship.

    So won't you run to me tonight? Tonight let's not talk about next summer Cause I'll only ever be a middle distance runner

    • Perhaps the girl is always talking about the future, thinking about the consequences of her actions, and the things that are yet to come, but not inevitable. The man is saying, let's take care of the things that are now, and not worry about things we can't control or that may not happen. Let's get our relationship sorted out before we consider the future.

    Well I'm so proud tonight Of the woman you've become And I'm just too tired to fight So my darling, I'll succumb

    • He's completely in love with her and he's entrusting himself to her. Perhaps falling into her pace?

    But you'll have to run to me tonight Tonight I will love you forever But I'll only ever be a middle distance runner

    • If you want us to be together, you're going to have to keep in mind my limitations and personality, and we're each going to have to adjust our paces.

    Essentially it's a sweet love song about learning to adapt yourself to another person.

    TrickyTeaon October 18, 2012   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.