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Runaway Train Lyrics

Presently, the future is in the middle of a love triangle,
With calamity and me in the corner starting to feel uncomfortable.
Should I douse the spark or fan the flames or merely think of clever things to say?
The more I try to separate, the better it feels to get right in the way.

And I try so hard to get out of the way of that runaway train.
Oh, how I do love the rain.

Seems to me that being the middle is starting to get me in trouble.
I tried to run away but they have a talent for making trouble seem enjoyable.
The more I try to separate, the better it feels to get right in the way.
Should I douse the spark or fan the flames or merely think of clever things to say?

And I try so hard to get out of the way of that runaway train.
Oh, how I do love the rain.

Runaway train...

And I try so hard to get out of the way of that runaway train.
Oh, how I do love the rain.

Runaway train...
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Cover art for Runaway Train lyrics by Brandon Boyd

Humanity is on the path to a worldwide societal reset and the writer is torn by indecision. He feels compelled to do something, anything, but ultimately he knows that he is powerless to stop it. He is saddened by the choice, but sees that peace exists in spirituality and that he must withdraw from the collapse if he wants to survive.

My Interpretation

I totally agree

Wow, how did you do that. I came here specifically because I knew there was something behind the lyrics and I think you nailed it right on the head. I've long liked Incubus but it hasn't been until recently that I've noticed the deeper meanings of Brandon's words. I have a question if you don't mind.. What is he talking about when he mentions the love triangles and the spark/flame? Is he talking about the spiritual heart? Thanks One Love

Clew, what he means by the love triangle is that the world (lover #1) is being rent apart by two opposing forces, be it political views, war, religions, etc., each side having opposing forces, constantly meddling, and the world is stuck in the middle of it all. The calamity and chaos which ensues is the runaway train.

Cover art for Runaway Train lyrics by Brandon Boyd

In his CD booklet, Brandon says its about a "theortical menage a trois", which is a relationship/sexual act between three people; the song is about his indecision to jump in.

The future and calamity are being personified to be involved in a threesome with Brandon, but this is much more than a song about sexual exploration. I'd guess ol' B had that covered 15 years ago.

Cover art for Runaway Train lyrics by Brandon Boyd

two very different meanings..:P wonder whicht one is the right one. I like the song in any case

To me it seems to me to go about the love triangle but maybe it has a deeper meaning???

Everything is possible:P

Cover art for Runaway Train lyrics by Brandon Boyd

In the beginning he mentions the "love triangle" he, "future" and "calamity" are in. At this moment in the video, Brandon shows us the two horned male drawings, which are the same person and himself presenting them. Triangle - Brandon (future), Brandon (calamity) and Brandon (himself) "in the corner starting to feel uncomfortable".

Now he is asking if he should stop or continue with this love triangle. "douse the spark or fan the flames". Here's where it gets interesting. Brandon has been trying to communicate with us something that he shouldn't be talking about. So he has to "merely think of clever things to say".

An addiction can bring about the word "love" to express how much one likes what they experience from it, whether good or bad. Breaking away from what you love is not easy. So now we have Brandon telling us how he has tried more than once to break away from this love triangle. But each attempt has brought him back to the uncomfortable corner. "the more I try to seperate, the better it feels to get right in the way. At this moment in the video, when he says "the better it feels to get right in the way", you see a male figure in a suit opening a treasure chest.

In the second verse, Brandon keeps finding himself back in the love triangle, it's because "THEY have a talent for making trouble seem enjoyable." Who are "they"? Could be the entertainment industry hence the man in the suit flashing treasures and gifts.

Here's a clever thing. In the video at 2:00, when he says, "Oh how I do love the RAIN.", you will see the suited man flashing objects which symbolize gifts. Brandon loves being SHOWERED with gifts! Even though it seems to get him in trouble.

The horns are symbolic. You see the horns in the video "Last Night A Passenger" as well, with the female demons around him. "with HER belly full she culled..". Female demons because in Paganism, the female goddess is the one in control. Just like chess, in which you win when you beat the QUEEN. His fate lies in the belly of the "beast"/ "hell". Most of Brandon's songs are about his experiences as a Pagan.

"our intuit we're taught to deny, yes our soul we're told's for selling!" -Out from Under

Maybe the simplistic lyrics of his solo album and the videos is the line he crossed being the reason why he never performs any of the songs besides this one and it was only once in 2010 in Chile in a benefit for the trapped miners.

He's not the only Pagan "artist" out there.

 
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