Running Gun Blues Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I count the corpses on my left, I find I'm not so tidy
So I better get away, better make it today
I've cut twenty-three down since Friday
But I can't control it
My face is drawn, my instinct still emotes it


[Chorus]
I slashed them cold, I killed them dead
I broke the gooks, I cracked their heads
I'll bomb them out from under the beds
But now I've got the running gun blues

[Verse 2]
It seems the peacefuls stopped the war
Left generals squashed and stifled
But I'll slip out again tonight
'Cause they haven't taken back my rifle
For I promote oblivion
And I'll plug a few civilians

[Chorus]
I'll slash them cold, I'll kill them dead
I'll break them gooks, I'll crack their heads
I'll slice them till they're running red
But now I've got the running gun blues
I'll slash them cold, I'll kill them dead
I'll break them gooks, I'll crack their heads
I'll slice them till they're running red
But now I've got the running gun blues

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

About

Genius Annotation

“Running Gun Blues” is the fifth track from Bowie’s third studio album, The Man Who Sold The World.

Written at the same time as the Vietnam War, it tells a story of a maniacal soldier in a murderous frenzy, both during war and in a peaceful time, carrying an uncharacteristically strong political statement for Bowie.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Credits
Produced By
Written By
Saxaphone
Stylophone
Lead Vocals
Backing Vocals
Acoustic Guitar
Lead guitar
Slide Guitar
Tambourine
Moog synthesizer
Recorded At
Trident Studios, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London, England; Advision Studios, Fitzrovia, Greater London, England
Release Date
November 4, 1970
Tags
Comments