Run Like Hell

Pink Floyd's 'Run Like Hell' is a song that encapsulates a sense of paranoia, fear, and the urge to escape. The lyrics, written by Roger Waters, are part of the band's 1979 concept album 'The Wall'. The album tells the story of a rock star named Pink, who isolates himself from the world behind a metaphorical wall due to the traumas of life, including the loss of his father, overbearing mother, and the suffocating nature of fame.

In 'Run Like Hell', the listener is thrust into a scenario where they are advised to disguise themselves and flee. The song suggests a need to hide one's true self ('your favorite disguise') and emotions ('keep your dirty feelings deep inside') to avoid persecution or judgment. The imagery of 'roller blind eyes' and 'empty smile' paints a picture of someone who is detached and numb. The 'guilty past' and 'nerves in tatters' imply a history of experiences that have left the character frayed and anxious. The song's driving rhythm and haunting guitar work by David Gilmour contribute to the urgency and panic conveyed by the lyrics.

The final verse takes a more literal approach to the theme of running away, with a scenario involving a young couple at risk of being caught in a compromising situation. The threat of being 'sent back to mother in a cardboard box' serves as a grim warning, reinforcing the song's overarching theme of fear and the need to escape from oppressive forces. The song, while part of a larger narrative, resonates with themes of societal pressure, the loss of individuality, and the consequences of stepping out of line.