☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are a metaphor for life under constant pressure and fear.
- The protagonist tries to hide their true feelings and intentions while fleeing from their past and the possible consequences.
- The line 'Feel the bile rising from your guilty past' suggests feelings of guilt and regret.
- 'You better run all day and run all night' and 'And keep your dirty feelings deep inside' show the constant fear and the need to hide.
- The closing lines hint at potential painful consequences, such as the loss of relationships or even life, if the truth comes to light.
Interpretation
The lyrics of 'Run Like Hell' by
Pink Floyd are a metaphor for living under constant pressure and fear of being discovered. It paints the picture of a person who is constantly on the run and hiding behind a mask ('You better make your face up on your favourite disguise'). The words 'With your button down lips and your Roller blind eyes' could mean, on one hand, that the person is trying to hide their true feelings and intentions, and on the other hand, it could be a critique of society's tendency to ignore problems and pretend everything is fine.
The line 'Feel the bile rising from your guilty past' suggests that the protagonist has done something in the past that now brings them feelings of guilt. It shows the fear of consequences ('When the cockleshell shatters and the hammers batter down the door').
The following lines 'You better run all day and run all night' and 'And keep your dirty feelings deep inside' show the constant fear and need to run away from one's own mistakes and the truth.
The closing lines 'And if you take your girlfriend out tonight, you better park the car well out of sight' and 'They're gonna send you back to mother in a cardboard box' hint at the potential consequences when the truth comes to light - the loss of relationships or even life.
Overall, 'Run Like Hell' tells the story of a person who is running from their past and the consequences of their actions, thus representing the darker aspects of human nature and society.