Nicholas Durocher, who goes by the name Talk, is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician from Ottawa, Ontario. He’s most famous for his 2021 hit song “Run Away to Mars.”
The song is all about someone going through a tough time in life and feeling like the only way out is to escape. It uses the idea of going to Mars as a way to talk about love, loneliness, and deep questions about life.
In this article, we’ll explore what the lyrics of this mysterious song really mean.
“Run Away to Mars” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Your colour’s fading
‘Cause I kept you waiting
It’s a wild, wild world
And you’re a wild, wild girl
Our sun’s still shining
But it seems half the size
And it’s a wild, wild world
Out here
In Verse 1, the singer starts with the lines “Your color’s fading/’Cause I kept you waiting,” which suggests that the singer feels guilty for making the girl wait. She’s becoming pale due to her one-sided love for the singer.
The next lines, “It’s a wild, wild world,” describe the world as unpredictable, chaotic, or challenging. This sets the tone for the difficulties and uncertainties the singer is facing.
Perhaps it’s because of this sense of insecurity that the singer feels out of place with the girl, who is free-spirited or adventurous. He refers to her as “a wild, wild girl.”
However, when he sings, “Our sun’s still shining,” it seems to hint at some positivity or light in his situation. The mention of the sun shining could symbolize hope or resilience.
Yet, before long, the sun appears diminished or less significant. He sings, “But it seems half the size,” reflecting a sense of diminished optimism or happiness.
This part concludes with the line, “And it’s a wild, wild world out here,” to emphasize the idea that the world is unpredictable and challenging, making the singer feel insecure.
[Pre-Chorus]
Before my time runs out
In this Pre-Chorus, the line “Before my time runs out” suggests that the singer is aware of the limited time he has or the feeling that time is running out for something important. It could represent a fear of missed opportunities, unfulfilled dreams, or a desire to make the most of his time.
[Chorus]
What If I run away to Mars?
Would you find me in the stars?
Would you miss me in the end
If I run out of oxygen?
When I run away to Mars
In the Chorus, the singer poses questions and presents a hypothetical scenario where he considers escaping to Mars. The line “What if I run away to Mars?” reflects his desire for a fresh start or a way to leave behind his current troubles or challenges.
The following line, “Would you find me in the stars?” suggests that the singer is wondering if the person he cares about would still be able to connect with him. It’s a question about the strength of their relationship.
When he sings, “Would you miss me in the end,” the singer is touching on the fear of being forgotten or not being missed by his lover. It conveys a sense of longing and the need for reassurance about his significance in someone’s life.
As for the lines “If I run out of oxygen?/When I run away to Mars,” the singer is actually pondering the potential danger of running away to Mars. It reflects the consequences we might have to face when making a bold decision in life.
[Verse 2]
I can’t tell which way’s home
I’ve been gone for so long
It’s an empty world
Up here
I skip stones and wonder
How long till I’m discovered?
It’s a quiet life
Up here
In Verse 2, the singer continues to explore their experience of being away, possibly on Mars. The lines “I can’t tell which way’s home/I’ve been gone for so long” convey a sense of disorientation and feeling lost. The singer has been far away from home for so long that he’s lost his sense of direction.
The phrase “It’s an empty world up here” suggests a feeling of isolation and desolation in the new environment on Mars. Here, the singer engages in a simple, contemplative activity of skipping stones, which can be seen as a solitary pastime. While doing so, he’s lost in thought, possibly reflecting on his decision to escape.
The following line “How long till I’m discovered?” reveals a sense of vulnerability or secrecy. The singer is uncertain about how long it will take for others to find out about his whereabouts.
In the final line “It’s a quiet life up here,” the singer describes the tranquility of his current life, emphasizing the peacefulness of their new existence. However, this tranquility might also carry a sense of loneliness or detachment from the bustling world they left behind.
[Bridge]
Three, two, one, I miss you
I’m sorry, I got issues
In the Bridge, the singer expresses a desire to reconcile with someone he loves and acknowledges his own imperfections and difficulties.
The phrase “Three, two, one, I miss you” symbolizes the singer’s longing or the countdown to a significant decision or event. Perhaps, he’s wondering whether he should return to his old place and stay with the girl.
However, the line “I’m sorry, I got issues” reveals that he can’t go back to his lover because he has unresolved issues or challenges in his life.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Run Away to Mars”
Run Away to Mars” by TALK (CAN) is a song that explores the metaphorical idea of escaping to Mars for a fresh start. When we face difficulties in life, our instinct is to run away from the current state, just like our ancestors encountered the dangers of a sabre-tooth tiger in a jungle.
However, escaping from one’s place comes with a lot of consequences. The first thing the singer deals with is a girl who wants to be with him. In the song, the singer expresses remorse for keeping her waiting. He has a crush on her and sometimes misses her, but the uncertain world makes him feel insecure, so he just wants to escape.
Apart from love, the singer also ponders his relationships with people around him, like friends and family. When he wonders if his absence would be noticed, he’s actually thinking about whether he’s important in the eyes of other people. Do they ever care about his existence? Because he could die due to a lack of oxygen on Mars.
Another concern about moving to a new environment is the problem of adaptation. The singer feels that he might feel isolated and disoriented on Mars.
Because of all these concerns, he starts to reflect on his decision to escape and wonders if he should reconcile with the girl he sometimes misses.
Despite all these concerns, he eventually decides that starting fresh on Mars is still a good idea. This shows how much pain he’s going through in his current life.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.