Judas Priest – Run Of The Mill

"Run Of The Mill" as written by Kenneth Downing, Robert Halford and Glenn Tipton....
What have you achieved now you're old
Did you fulfill ambition, do as you were told
Or are you still doing the same this year
Should I give sorrow, or turn 'round and sneer

I know that the prospects weren't all that good
But they improved, and I'd have thought that you could
Have strived for that something we all have deep inside
Not let it vanish, along with your pride

Now with the aid of your new walking stick
You hobble along through society thick
And look mesmerized by the face of it all
You keep to the gutter in case you fall

I can't go on
I can't go on
I can't go on
I can't go on

I, I, I, I


Lyrics submitted by Idan

"Run of the Mill" as written by Kenneth Downing Glenn Tipton

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing

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Run Of The Mill song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentThis song is about a man who got killed by his own siciety. More specifically, its about an old man who, after living his life doing what society told him to do, looks back and finally realises the error of what he was doing, how his life was dictated too much by others and not himself.
    Now that he realises this, he walks throught "society thick" and decides he can't go on, symbolizing a suicide or death.
    minervoon May 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis has been my favourite song of all time for years now. Such a profound, poetic masterpiece! As always Halfords delivery is out of this world and gives the impression he's feeling every word. We live our whole lives according to societys expectations, we allow ourselves to be dictated to just because we want an easy life. We spend so many years plodding through doing the same things year after year, that we forget our inner most desires and dreams, until one day we realise have been conditioned. Only its now too late to change, chase your dreams, or be yourself because your life has already passed. You're old, society has changed so much you dont recognise it anymore, it terrifies you! You realise it has all been pointless and a waste of time, you're too old to fight, you cant go back to being part of 'their' machine, and you cant go on. Life has passed by and you achieved nothing that you wanted, leading inevitably to. . . . . . Death.
    DreadCalmon December 23, 2009   Link
  • 0
    Song MeaningThis is one of the few religious songs by J.P. in its early years.

    The singing man talks to himself about his good moral life and his success. He had had everything, but now he's alone, facing his death, scared and worried.

    His heart is shouting "I can't go on [by myself]". His only answer is the faith he once erased from his life. And he feels his heart is dramatically accepting it again.
    uccieon May 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Commentlol. ^. song is about regret that comes with the change of seasons.
    johndo3on September 28, 2011   Link

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