Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
In sixty-five I was seventeen and running up one-o-one
I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
Trying not to confuse it with what you do to survive
In sixty-nine I was twenty-one and I called the road my own
I don't know when that road turned onto the road I'm on
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Everyone I know, everywhere I go
People need some reason to believe
I don't know about anyone but me
If it takes all night, that'll be all right
If I can get you to smile before I leave
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels
I look around for the friends that I used to turn to, to pull me through
Looking into their eyes I see them running too
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Honey, you really tempt me
You know the way you look so kind
I'd love to stick around
But I'm running behind
Running on
You know I don't even know what I'm hoping to find
Running behind
Running into the sun but I'm running behind
The lyrics on the most recent version are sanctioned by the composer, or owner of the rights to the lyrics, however, there may be lyrics that are more complete on the prior version(s) that have been submitted by a contributor to mp3lyrics.org
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Jackson Browne Running On Empty Lyrics Information:
RUNNING ON EMPTY 1
Written & Produced by: Jackson Browne
Performed by: Jackson Browne 2 -1977
Appears on: "Running on Empty" (B-side: "Nothing But Time," Asylum, 45rpm
#E-45460-A, US)-1978 & (Asylum, 45rpm #AS-13-118, Germany); Jackson Browne:
Running on Empty (Asylum, LP #6E-113, US)-1977, (Asylum, LP #AS-53070,
Germany)-1977, (Asylum, CD #6E-113-2, US)-1987 3 , (Asylum, CD #E2-113, US)-2005 &
(Elektra-Rhino, CD-Expanded Edition #78283, US)-2005; No Nukes (Asylum, LP
#M-801)-1979* & (Elektra, CD #605921)-1997*; Jackson Browne: Going Home (Electra,
VHS #40200)-1996 & (Pioneer, DVD #10473)-2000; Forest Gump, The Soundtrack (Sony,
Special Edition CD #85932)-2001*; The Very Best of Jackson Browne (Electra, CD
#8122 78091-2)-2004; Legends (Time Life, CD Box Set #31173)-2007*; et al.
(*Compilation of various artists.)
1 "Running on Empty" was Browne's third-biggest hit single in his career
(trailing only "Doctor My Eyes" and "Somebody's Baby"), reaching #11 on the
Billboard Hot 100 in spring 1978, and subsequently became his most-played song on
classic rock radio formats. This song appeared in the 1994 film Forrest Gump,
famously featured in the scene where Forrest was running across the United States.
In August 2008, Browne sued presumptive Republican presidential nominee, John
McCain, and the Republican National Committee for unauthorized use of "Running on
Empty" in a television commercial mocking presumptive Democratic nominee Barack
Obama's energy policy. The case has not appeared before a judge as of this writing.
2 David Lindley plays the steel guitar and Browne's vocals are backed with
harmony parts from Rosemary Butler and Doug Haywood.
3 Transcribed from the track on this album.
Running On Empty lyrics, Jackson Browne related songs
