Shoot The Runner

Shoot The Runner was written by Sergio Pizzorno and is the 2nd track on Empire. It was released 6 November 2006 as the second single off the album and peaked at #17 in the UK charts.

Background

Inspired by bands like T.Rex and Black Sabbath, Shoot The Runner is meant to be a song that gets people in the mood for a party. According to Serge, it's sexy and "a proper good-time tune" that is supposed to make you feel like all rock'n'roll music should. The title is a reference to Cupid's arrow: Seeing someone, instantly falling in love and not wanting the person to leave.

Some releases feature a "clean" version of the song, omitting the word "bitch".

Live

Shoot The Runner is one of Kasabian's most popular songs and always a part of the setlist. It was first performed on 20 May 2006 in Mexico City. It used to be the set opener during most of the Empire Tour, preceded by the title theme from A Clockwork Orange by Wendy Carlos and Stay Away From The Brown Acid (Part 1). It was brought back as an opener for some gigs in 2010 and 2011 and is sometimes played with an extended ending. Since the beginning of the 48:13 Tour in 2014, Shoot The Runner starts with the intro from Kanye West's Black Skinhead.

There are two acoustic versions of the song, performed bluegrass-style, with Tom and Serge swapping the vocal parts. At the BBC Electric Proms 2006, Shoot The Runner was one of three songs Zak Starkey joined the band on an additional drum set for.

Video

Kasabian - Shoot The Runner

The Shoot The Runner video was directed by Alex & Martin.

It was released on

• Empire CD/DVD Album (Japan)
• Shoot The Runner DVD Single (PARADISE46)

The DVD single also includes a very short pre-animation behind the scenes video.

Remixes

Shakes Remix

• Shoot The Runner 10" Vinyl Single (PARADISE45)
• Shoot The Runner 10" Promo Vinyl (PARADISE045)
• Shoot The Runner 3 Track Promo CD-R
• Shoot The Runner EP (Japan)
• Shoot The Runner Shakes Remix Promo CD-R

Releases

Albums Empire CD Album (PARADISE37) Empire Album Promo CD (PARADISE35) Empire 2x10" Vinyl Album (PARADISE38) Empire CD/DVD Album (PARADISE39) Empire CD Album (Japan) Empire CD/DVD Album (Japan) Empire CD/DVD Album (Europe) Empire Album Promo 2xCD Empire Album Promo CD-R (USA) Empire Album Promo CD (UK) Empire Album Sampler Empire Instrumentals The Albums (PARADISE66) Empire / West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum

Singles / EPs Shoot The Runner Promo CD (PARADISE42) Shoot The Runner CD Single (PARADISE43) Shoot The Runner 10" Vinyl Single (PARADISE45) Shoot The Runner DVD Single (PARADISE46) Shoot The Runner 10" Promo Vinyl (PARADISE045) Shoot The Runner 2 Track Promo CD-R Shoot The Runner 3 Track Promo CD-R Shoot The Runner EP (Japan)

Live Releases

Audio iTunes Festival: London 2007 Live From Abbey Road Empire CD/DVD Album (Japan) West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum 2xCD Album (Japan) Live In The UK (PARADISE77) Live! (PARADISE79) Man Of Simple Pleasures Italian Special EP (PARADISE83) Live At The O2 DVD/CD (Japan) Live At The O2 DVD/CD (PARADISE85) Live At The O2 Blu-Ray/CD (PARADISE86)

Video Empire CD/DVD Album (Japan) Velociraptor! CD/DVD Album (Japan) Velociraptor! CD/DVD Album (PARADISE70) Live At The O2 DVD/CD (Japan) Live At The O2 DVD/CD (PARADISE85) Live At The O2 Blu-Ray/CD (PARADISE86) Live At The O2 Blu-Ray (PARADISE87) Live At The O2 DVD (PARADISE88) 48:13 CD/DVD Album

Lyrics

Shoot the runner
Shoot, shoot the runner
I'm a king and she's my queen

Shoot the runner
Shoot, shoot the runner
I'm a king and she's my queen

Dream
Dream again in your way
Always knew that you would
Loose yourself to the scene
Am I only a dream

Shoot the runner
Shoot, shoot the runner
I'm a king and she's my queen, bitch

Bang
Bang away with my chang
Always know that I can
Get you onto the floor
Absinthe make you a whore

Shoot the runner
Shoot, shoot the runner
I'm a king and she's my queen

Shoot the runner
Shoot, shoot the runner
I'm a king and she's my queen, bitch

Kings
Kings may come and then go
By this sword you must know
All things will come and then pass
Live your days like the last

You're my queen, that's it
Shoot, shoot the runner
'Cause I'm a king and you're my queen, bitch