“Run Away To Mars” is all about feeling isolated, unappreciated, and unnecessary. The lyrics focus on how loneliness causes us to wonder what the impact would be if we disappeared. In addition, this song manages to touch on how these dark feelings are made worse if they are suffered alone, creating a vicious cycle.
TALK wrote this song late at night after watching Interstellar. The sense of cosmic loneliness in the film combined with his own trajectory in life at that time (especially due to the COVID pandemic) inspired him, and the idea was fully there almost instantly.
In this article, we’ll perform an analysis of these goosebump-inducing lyrics to discover their intended meaning. We’ll also take a look at the story behind the song and the human themes that make it impactful to so many. Without further ado, let’s get started!
“Run Away To Mars” Lyrics Meaning
The first verse shows us that our narrator, TALK, has withdrawn from people he loves. This was due, in part, to the COVID pandemic that was going on when the song was written. It’s nobody’s fault, but it’s painful. For example, he tells an unnamed girl, “Your color’s fading, ‘cause I kept you waiting,” indicating that the warmth has died down.
I use that last turn of phrase deliberately, because the next line talks about the sun. TALK notes that it’s “still shining,” although it “seems half the size.” His perspective has become dreary, and he’s destabilized by the “wild, wild world” he sees around him.
It’s no surprise that this happened – after all, the song came out of his parents’ basement after years of failure in the music industry. This is why TALK wants to deliver his message before his “time runs out.” He feels the pressure to succeed but is seeing no results.
Nonetheless, he pours his heart out in the chorus. Like many depressed people, he imagines his own disappearance from the lives of everyone around him. If he were to “run away to Mars,” who would come “find” him? If he were to “run out of oxygen,” who would miss him?
These lyrics speak of a profound loneliness, and the space theme physically represents the distance TALK felt between himself and the world. In addition, the greater the distance felt, the more intense the suffering becomes. Problems cause isolation; isolation causes problems. Verse two continues this idea.
In it, TALK admits he “can’t tell which way’s home.” He’s become so psychologically adrift that he can’t identify any escape. He wonders, “How long til’ I’m discovered?” due to the lack of commercial success I mentioned earlier. These are all pieces of a very gloomy puzzle; he doesn’t want the “quiet life” he has.
The last new section of lyrics is the bridge, which is brief and direct. He tells his loved ones, “I miss you,” and blames their separation on his own “issues.” This is the last nail in the coffin, so to speak; he doesn’t even resent the world that has made him feel so lonely. Instead, he blames himself and his own inadequacies.
In summary, “Run Away To Mars” is a vivid representation of a distinctly modern form of loneliness. Modern problems require modern solutions, so it’s no wonder the song reached the heights of viral success that it did.
The Story Behind “Run Away To Mars”
Picture this: You’re a gregarious creative who’s been trying to get discovered for years with no success. You’ve tried your hand at everything (even playing bass in a country band), but nothing seems to work. Next, the COVID pandemic hits as you’ve been forced to move into your parents’ basement. How do you feel?
Add another layer on – you’ve just watched Interstellar (one of the saddest, most profound films ever made) and it’s 2:00 in the morning. Frankly, if it were me, my primary options would be to go jump off a bridge or do something creative!
That’s exactly the situation TALK found himself in before he wrote “Run Away To Mars.” Thankfully, he chose the second option! As he put it, the song came “from a lot of loneliness.” Interestingly, he had almost the entirety of the song within 15-20 minutes, making this a case of genuine inspiration.
By taking his personal emotions and combining them with the space themes in Interstellar, TALK was able to engineer a solution to his problems – and an enjoyable hit for the public.
“Run Away To Mars” has gone absolutely viral, with nearly 10 million views on YouTube alone. The song definitely put TALK on the map as well. Just two weeks ago, he announced an upcoming tour of Europe!
The next time you play this emotional tune, let these pieces of background information bring it to life!