Roy Orbison – Running Scared Meaning

In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of Running Scared by Roy Orbison. As of this writing, Running Scared is ranked 140.

‘Running Scared’ is about a man who fears losing his love to someone from her past, anxiously waiting to see if she’ll choose him or her old flame.

The song feels tense, like waiting for something bad to happen, but it also has hope. It’s about being scared and wanting someone to stay with you.

When we listen to the verses, we can almost feel the main character’s shaky nerves as he wonders what will happen if his girlfriend’s ex appears. The lines “Just running scared, what would I do / If he came back and wanted you?” show us his worry—he isn’t sure if love is enough when the past comes knocking. But suddenly, in the end, everything flips; just when it seems like heartbreak is certain, she chooses him, and we all breathe out together.

Please enter a valid email address

That address is already in use

The security code entered was incorrect

Thanks for signing up

Roy Orbison masterfully spins dread into relief, making us sweat over a simple moment of choice. That final twist—the decision that love wins—is the heart-thumping secret he keeps until the very last note.