[Intro] [Camera shutter, engine ignition, bright synth stab] [Verse 1] They built a boulevard inside a studio Painted midnight blue beneath the camera glow You were only hired for a passing scene Silver leather jacket, eyes of gasoline The director shouted, “Places, take it twice” You took the keys and never asked the price Red light spinning as you crossed the floor Then the tires screamed through the loading door [Pre-Chorus] Every camera turned Every warning burned You looked back once And the whole set came undone [Chorus] Runaway, runaway ’87 Tail lights drawing arrows straight to heaven No script, no map, no reason to wait You stole the car and changed my fate Runaway, runaway ’87 Half past midnight, racing toward eleven I left my lines beneath the studio lights And followed you into the night [Verse 2] I caught a taxi heading east through town Your reflection flashed when the rain came down Past the glass hotels and the video screens You moved like a rumor through the in-between At the riverside, the traffic disappeared Only your engine and the lights behind me veered You stopped beneath a billboard painted white Like you had been expecting me all night [Pre-Chorus] No one called your name No one knew your game You smiled once And the city changed its shape [Chorus] Runaway, runaway ’87 Tail lights drawing arrows straight to heaven No script, no map, no reason to wait You stole the car and changed my fate Runaway, runaway ’87 Half past midnight, racing toward eleven I left my lines beneath the studio lights And followed you into the night [Post-Chorus] Oh-oh, out beyond the frame Oh-oh, no one stays the same Oh-oh, every perfect picture lies Come alive, come alive [Instrumental Break] [Syncopated bass, digital synth brass, angular guitar phrases] [Bridge] You said, “They film the ending first So everyone knows where to stand” Then you threw the pages in the river And took me by the hand No close-up, no rehearsed goodbye No mark beneath our feet Just morning rising on the water And freedom down the street [Breakdown] [Minimal bass pulse and hand percussion] [Male, spoken] Was any of it real? [Female, distant] Only after we left. [Final Chorus] Runaway, runaway ’87 Tail lights drawing arrows straight to heaven No script, no map, no reason to wait You stole the car and changed my fate Runaway, runaway ’87 We found the road they never put in heaven The cameras rolled, but we were out of sight Still running into morning light [Backing Vocals] Run away—out beyond the frame Run away—never say your name Run away—leave the ending open wide [Outro] Silver jacket, city lights Two silhouettes escaping white Runaway, runaway Into 1987 [Engine fades into a sustained synth chord]
