Running Man

Album: 24 Carrots (1980)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to Neville Judd's authorized biography Al Stewart: The True Life Adventures of a Folk Rock Troubadour, this is based rather loosely on Dr. Josef Mengele, the so-called Angel of Death from the Auschwitz concentration camp. He was probably the most notorious Nazi to avoid capture after the Second World War. After fleeing to South America he became a citizen of Paraguay but eventually moved to Brazil where he drowned in an accident in 1979. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 2

  • Todd from Atlanta, GaThe Schwarzenegger movie is based on the Stephen King novel "The Running Man", originally published under King's pseudonym, Richard Bachman. I do not believe the novel and subsequent film are related to Al Stewart's song, but with King you never know...
  • Mark from New Orleans, LaLater made into a movie of the same name, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Except instead of a sadistic Nazi physician, it's a wrongly imprisoned ex-cop. And instead of avoiding capture in South America, he's forced to play a deadly game show in an underground arena. And instead of drowning in Brazil, he escapes the arena, clears his name, and exacts vengeance on the bad guys. Other than these minor changes (fairly typical in Hollywood adaptations of Al Stewart songs), a visual depiction of the music.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.