Every Chance We Get We Run

Song Meaning

“Every Chance We Get We Run” captures a relationship defined by an intense, undeniable pull and a persistent, almost instinctual urge to flee. The lyrics paint a picture of deep reliance, with the narrator declaring, “My weight bet on you.” Yet, this commitment is constantly undermined by the repeated act of running. The emotional core of the song lies in this profound internal conflict. The speaker admits, “I can’t deny you,” but then immediately qualifies their desire, wanting “no one but barely sweet tonight.” This suggests a guarded intimacy, a reluctance to fully embrace joy or vulnerability, perhaps out of a protective instinct. This protective impulse reappears as the speaker states, “I don’t want anything bad to come of you,” implying a choice to avoid potential pain or complication. The chorus elevates this personal struggle to an almost universal statement: “We are born / We’re hopeless on our own.” This stark declaration of human vulnerability makes the subsequent action all the more striking: “But every chance we get we run.” The repetition of this line underscores a pattern, a default response to intimacy or difficulty. It’s a powerful paradox, suggesting that despite our inherent need for connection, the instinct to escape often prevails. Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because they articulate a common, contradictory human experience. They explore the magnetic pull of connection against the powerful, often self-preserving, urge to avoid or escape. The subtle shifts in perspective, from “I” to “you” to “we,” suggest a shared, perhaps fated, dynamic, culminating in the image of “A stage before us,” as if their push-and-pull is a performance they can’t escape.