“If your soul’s locked in a cage
You can make a great escape
We’re made to run wild, live free
Love strong, you and me”
A song that I consider to have “wild” aspects is the song “Run Wild” by For King and Country, a band whose genre could be considered a mixture of pop, rock and alternative. The band, whose main members are Australian-born, American-based brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, released this song in 2014 after gaining inspiration from Luke’s son learning to walk but trying to run. The song begins by asking some specific person if they are isolating themselves on purpose or not to try to hide your true self. The lyrics then ask the person if they would rather “run wild, live free, love strong, you and me,” suggesting that the person break free from isolation and be their true selves. This becomes the chorus of the song and the main point of the theme; to “run wild,” be yourself, and enjoy life to the fullest.
In the song, the band uses lyrics like, “You’re a lion full of power who forgot how to roar, You’re an eagle full of beauty but you can’t seem to soar.” These metaphors compare the subject to animals that are typically regarded as being wild in nature, suggesting that their wildness has been suppressed, as well as the subject’s. This idea of “wild” suggests that wild means to them one that is uncontrolled and completely free. This theme of the song suggests that everyone should embrace their “wild” side as this would be the best way to live their lives. By grouping the words “wild,” “live,” and “love” together, their message is clear in their thoughts of being “wild” as a great thing. The end of the song even says, “We’re made to run wild,” suggesting that being wild is natural and even human nature.
Anna Ranslem