About
Run It Wild appears on Under the Radar Vol. 2 and was written by Robbie Williams, Tim Metcalfe, Flynn Francis and Philipp Steinke. It was produced by Metcalfe and Francis and released to fans on 3 November 2017 as an advance track for pre-orders of the album. The song dates back to the Take the Crown era, where it was considered for inclusion on that album and even rehearsed for the 2013 tour before being set aside. Williams described it as one of the songs that inspired the entire Under the Radar project.
Built around jangling guitars, rolling drums and layered harmonies, Run It Wild carries an uplifting, anthemic tone. Lyrically, it reflects on freedom, nostalgia and the spirit of youth: “When we were young and wild, tomorrow didn’t exist.” Williams explained that the song is “a message to me, and an erroneous message to Ted” (his affectionate term for his daughter Teddy) urging her to live freely but wisely. The chorus blends optimism with melancholy: “I’m losing hope in my heart that the end is better than the start.”
Stylistically, the track evokes 1980s power pop, with bright chord progressions and an expansive arrangement reminiscent of Come Undone and Love My Life. Williams’ vocal delivery balances vulnerability with conviction, building to a cathartic, stadium-ready finale. During the Under the Radar live shows, Williams was joined by co-writer Flynn Francis on backing vocals, giving the song a communal, celebratory feel.
“This should have been on a main album. It’s about being young and wild, and remembering that tomorrow didn’t exist back then.”Robbie Williams
A video directed by Leo Baron accompanied the song, showing Williams receiving a tattoo of The Saint logo, referencing his fascination with identity and self-image. Run It Wild has been celebrated by fans as one of Williams’ most anthemic deep cuts, combining heart, melody and a sense of liberation true to the spirit of the Under the Radar series.
Lyrics
Steal your daddy's money and pick a destination
Run it wild, run it wild
Take the money and run it wild
It's another chance for another generation
When you kicked up your heels, you picked a vocation
Run it wild, run it wild
Like we used to, run it wild
When you were running wild
When you let your love run wild
When you let your love run wild
My run it wild, run it wild, run it wild, baby
Run it wild
Go out and run it wild
Run to, run to the ocean
Run to the ocean
Run away as fast as you can from here
It's not enough
Run to, run to the ocean
Run to the ocean
Run away as fast as you can from here
While you're still young
When you were running wild
When you let your love run wild
When you let your love run wild
My run it wild, run it wild, run it wild, baby
Run it wild
I'm losing hope in my heart
That the end is better than the start
We get hung up on the past, nothing lasts
You'll get lost, you'll get caught
They'll tell you everything's your fault
But you're only a child for a while, and you got style
Go out and run it wild
Julia
Julia
Are we gonna crumble under your weight?
Lord, I hope so
Julia
Julia
Are we gonna crumble under your weight?
Lord, I hope so
You would run it wild
When you let your love run wild
When you let your love run wild
My run it wild, run it wild, run it wild, baby
Run it wild
I'm losing hope in my heart
That the end is better than the start
You get hung up on the past, nothing lasts
You'll get lost, you'll get caught
They'll tell you everything's your fault
But you're only a child for a while, and you got style
Go out and run it wild
Credits
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Vocalist
Robbie Williams -
Songwriter
Robbie Williams, Tim Metcalfe, Flynn Francis, Philipp Steinke