Song: I Ran (So Far Away)
Artist: A Flock of Seagulls
Film/Show: La La Land (2016), You Season 4
The kind of eyes that hypnotize me through
Hypnotize me through
… And I ran, I ran so far away
Discovering the I Ran Song in La La Land
I first discovered the “I Ran” song very late, in 2016. I heard it in the movie La La Land. There is a hilarious scene where Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is looking miserable while playing an 80s keytar at a pool party. Mia (Emma Stone) requests this song just to make fun of him, and she does a really fun dance while he plays it.
That funny movie scene made me want to search for the real track.
The Ultimate Feel-Good 80s Vibe
Once I listened to the full original, I loved it. It is really good. It has that amazing 80s feel-good vibe. The lyrics are great, the guitar is brilliant, and the excellent vocals, beats, and overall composition just work together perfectly.
More often than not, the song makes you want to move your legs to dance, or at least shake your head to the beats. The heavy use of synthesizers makes it the perfect 80s pop anthem. In another world, where I might be an extrovert and a party-going guy, this song would be right up there on my playlist to groove and dance to.
A Dark Twist in the ‘You’ Trailer
Another time I heard this track used was in the trailer for You Season 4. This time, it was a very different, dark cover of the song by Hidden Citizens. I really liked that version too.
It showed how clever the lyrics actually are. Singing about running far away from someone you are attracted to fits a creepy psychological thriller just as well as it fits an upbeat dance party.
Final Thoughts on I Ran Song
But honestly, nothing can beat the original version by A Flock of Seagulls. It is a timeless classic.
Sometimes I wish I knew about it during my college days. But then again, it is a good thing I did not. Now, I can just enjoy the upbeat music without having to deal with any sad nostalgia from the past.
(If you love discovering great songs from movies, check out my deep dive into the What a Life song from Another Round here!)
