I wanted to like this song because of talking about real social issues, but why the fuck are they telling the kids to runaway? That's how they get into prostitution and drugs on the streets and become homeless, great message huh.

Instead, they should be taken into custody by children's aid or be encouraged to speak up to someone they trust if they're abused or not safe in their homes, instead of running away and screwing up their own lives like their parents.

fucking rap music!
[Edited 6/5/07 10:08am]
[Edited 6/5/07 10:12am]

alphastreet said:

its telleing a story,not telling them to runaway

it's also implying that mary j.blige tried to runaway too isn't it? I'm so sick of her trying to be all preachy, I'd been jamming to her for years, but now she gets on my nerves

I already know things are not right in the world, I've worked with kids who've been survivors of abuse and living in inadequate homes.

It is a good song. It almost had the power of Tupac's Brenda's Got A Baby. I still remember the first time I saw the video for Brenda's Got A Baby back in 1991. The lyrics so masterfully and honestly delivered by 'Pac. The imagery in the video also left a strong impression with me and I was only 11 or 12 at the time. If the point of the song struck a chord with one child or teen, then that is a job well done. There are times when music should mean something. If you have the attention of the youth why not give them some good advice or tell them a story because there may not be anyone else around to communicate to them.

they were listening to that song and knew all the words and I was telling them it's nice that rap still has songs with good messages because a lot of the subject matter has become too repetitive these days about partying and all, but it was like my second or third time only hearing it so then I wasn't too sure

afterwards I was wondering if I should have said that because these kids were known to runaway from where they were being looked after, and it made me think that it could be taken literally and the wrong way by them

but you gave me a good idea about doing an activity of analysing rap music, maybe I'll find some songs, such as the tupac one or something and have them analyse it, thanks. Especially cause sometimes I laugh about how I can't keep up with the newer stuff today though some of it is cool, and they crack at me aging though I'm one year shy of 25 and look young for my age so it's funny

[Edited 6/5/07 11:07am]
[Edited 6/5/07 11:09am]
[Edited 6/5/07 11:36am]

I understand what you mean alphastreet
(about MJB being all preachy now)
and this is coming from her #1 fan

I mean, maybe that is her calling
because she does indeed succeed
in touching souls... saving
(she saved me about 6 years ago, from myself
well... I'll say she helped ME save me from myself)

but I'd much rather hear her sing about
love... she's in love right now

about this "Runaway Love" song
I have yet to hear it in full

Luda didn't impress me this go around
and even though it features
my #1 singer... I'm just not interested
I don't know why
[Edited 6/5/07 11:14am]

I admire people who want to touch souls and save them, but she's already proven herself that it almost seems forced now

this is coming from someone who was crying from the love is all we need and no more drama songs & videos

alphastreet said:

Here's the lyrics... It's a story about 3 girls and they decision to Runaway, Mary is singing telling them to stop Running


feat. Mary J. Blige)
Ye..and it go a lil sometin like...
[Hook - Mary J. Blige]
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love

[Verse 1 - Ludacris]
Now little Lisa is only 9 years old
Shes tryin to figure out why the world is so cold
Why shes all all alone and they never met her family
Mamas always gone and she never met her daddy
Part of her is missin' and nobody will listen
Mama on drugs gettin high up in the kitchen
Bringin home men at different hours of the night
Startin with some laughs--usually endin in a fight
Sneak into her room while her mamas knocked out
Tryin to have his way and little Lisa says 'ouch'
She tries to resist but then all he does is beat her
Tries to tell her mom but her mama don't believe her
Lisa is stuck up in the world on her own
Forced to think that hell is a place called home
Nothin else to do but some get some clothes and pack
She says shes bout to run away and never come back.

[Hook - Mary J. Blige]
Runaway love [x8]

[Verse 2 - Ludacris]
Little Nicole is only 10 years old
Shes steady tryin to figure why the world is so cold
Why shes not pretty and nobody seems to like her
Alcoholic and step dad always wanna strike her
Yells and abuses, leaves her with some bruises
Teachers ask questions she makin up excuses
Bleedin on the inside, cryin on the out
Its only one girl really knows what she about
Her name is lil Stacy and they become friends
Promise that they'll always be tight til the end
Until one day lil Stacy gets shot
A drive by bullet went stray up on her block
Now Nicole stuck up in the world on her own
Forced to think that hell is a place called home
Nothin else to do but some get her clothes and pack
She says shes bout to run away and never come back.

[Hook - Mary J. Blige]
Runaway love [x8]

[Verse 3 - Ludacris]
Little Erica is eleven years old
Shes steady tryin to figure why the world is so cold
So she pops EX to get rid of all the pain
Plus shes havin sex with a boy whos sixteen
Emotions run deep and she thinks shes in love
So theres no protection hes usin no glove
Never thinkin bout the consequences of her actions
Livin for today and not tomorrows satisfaction
The days go by and her belly gets big
The father bails out he aint ready for a kid
Knowin her mama will blow it all outta proportion
Plus she lives poor so no money for abortion
Erica is stuck up in the world on her own
Forced to think that hell is a place called home
Nothin else to do but get her clothes and pack
She say shes about to run away and never come back.

[Hook - Mary J. Blige]
Runaway love [x16] [Background singing too]

[Mary J. Blige]
Runaway,runaway love don't keep on runing away
I'll runaway with you if you want me to [Ludacris]
Yeah, I can only amagin what you going though ladies
Somtimes I feel like running away myself
So do me a favor and close you'r eye's
And picher us running away together
When we come back everything will be ok
Open you'r eye's

I think that there are a lot of Rap songs that should be attacked, but this is not one of them IMHO

alphastreet said:

that's my point exactly
it DOES seem forced sometimes

sure Marvin did What's Going On..
and other records like that one
but he also did Let's Get It On
and Here, My Dear
three masterpieces
three different moods/auras

get off the sopabox sometimes Mary
and give us some variety...that's my thing
and I KNOW she has it in her

I really hate to bring this up
but prime example is "Father In You"
it's a deep song, and I relate
but all live versions of this song
(that's I've laid ears on)
she tends to get "the spirit" on cue
EVERYtime
maybe it's just me, and I'm digging too deep
it's the imperfection that I love about Mary
and it seems lately she's "predictable"

I loved what she did with "Be Without You"
on the Grammy's... with the "Stay With Me" half
that's the Mary I want/need...

but Mary has to do what Mary wants to do

alphastreet said:

I think those two mean to runaway from the problems they are having not runaway from home.

dreamfactory313 said:

Oh God, why did I say this sounded like it was trying to be like Brenda's Got A Baby and people jumped on my back?? Wow. However, I don't think this song is a meaningful
[Edited 6/6/07 0:14am]

BlaqueKnight said:

speaking in general and not of this track

I actually got choked up listening to this song for the first time in its entirety.

I love it. I think it's basically saying, rather than literally running away from home or your problems, "run away" with a song or with your imagination instead. Mary's directness (even when it gets a little preachy) is so refreshing in a world full of posing.