Link copied
Explore the lyrics and meaning of Riley Green’s 2026 song, ‘Runs in the Family’, taken from his fourth studio album, That’s Just Me.
- Song Runs in the Family
- Lyrics“Daddy ran a wrecker down a rural route road
My brother ran a tiller til the farm got sold
My sister ran off with a dude from the navy
... - Artist(s) Riley Green
- Album That's Just Me
- Released September 18, 2026
- Label Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- Songwriter(s)Riley Green, Jessie Alexander, Jameson Rodgers
- Producer(s) Dann Huff
The Background:
One of the stand-out songs from Riley Green's 2026 album, That's Just Me, ‘Runs in the Family’ finds the ‘Worst Way’ hitmaker explaining to an ex why he never stays in one place too long. It pivots around a clever piece of wordplay, with Green shrugging his shoulders as he confesses that “running kinda runs in the family”.
The Sound:
Opening with the bright strum of a banjo, ‘Runs in the Family’ initially carries subtle bluegrass textures as Green starts to recall various instances of family-members “running”.
Then, as the composition builds out, it ventures more into classic Riley Green territory, with his charismatic vocals cutting through a strong, electric guitar-driven instrumental.
The Meaning:
‘Runs in the Family’ sees Green listing a plethora of ways in which his relatives would “run”, whether it was his brother “running” a tiller on the farm, the dogs “running” around the yard, his sister “running” off with a man from the Navy or Green “running” his mouth.
It's a playful way of Green conveying to his now-ex why he was never going to be able to settle down and commit to a long-term relationship. He admits that he wishes he could tell his boots to run right back into her arms, but alas, it's just not going to happen.
For the full lyrics to Riley Green's 'Runs in the Family', see below:
“Daddy ran a wrecker down a rural route road
My brother ran a tiller til the farm got sold
My sister ran off with a dude from the navy
Our dogs run around the yard with the babies
-
We run to the bar, we run our mouths
We run real hard till our time runs out
I ran her off ‘fore she could ever leave
Yeah, running kinda runs in the family
-
Everybody knows Uncle Leonard ran moonshine
We was walking high cotton till we run into hard times
Soon as we could walk we could run a John Deere
Yeah, our roots run deep like the rivers down here
-
We run to the bar, we run our mouths
Run real hard till the time runs out
I ran her off ‘fore she could ever leave
Yeah, running kinda runs in the family
-
Lord knows I gotta lotta running left in these boots
But if I could run it back, I’d run ‘em right back to you
-
We run to the bar, we run our mouths
Run real hard till the time runs out
I ran her off ‘fore she could ever leave
Yeah, running kinda runs in the family
-
I reckon running kinda runs in the family”
