Outrunning Karma

"Outrunning Karma" is a cautionary tale about the inescapability of one's actions. At its core, the song explores the concept of karma—the idea that the energy you put into the world, specifically the harm you cause others, will eventually return to you. The protagonist is a "charmer" and a manipulator who has spent his life deceiving others ("ten dozen hearts in a bag"), but he now finds himself in a desperate race against the consequences of his behavior.

The song can be interpreted on two levels:

• Literal Narrative: It tells the story of a criminal or serial deceiver (a "modern desperado") who is physically running from the law or his past victims, heading to Colorado to hide. The imagery of "bodies lying" and "bugs and their larvae" adds a macabre, almost horror-movie quality to this chase.
• Metaphorical/Psychological: The "running" represents a psychological state of denial. The protagonist is trying to ignore his guilt and the pain he has caused. The "bugs" and "decay" represent the rotting of his soul or conscience. The references to figures like Satan and Apollo suggest a cosmic or spiritual judgment that transcends human law.

Alec Benjamin uses this narrative to deliver a moral message: no matter how charming you are or how fast you run, you cannot hide from the truth of who you are and what you have done.

The narrative centers on a young man described as a charmer, a smooth talker who hides a sinister nature. He is fleeing from the consequences of his actions, metaphorically represented as 'karma'. As he runs, he is trailed by imagery of decay—bugs and their larvae—suggesting that his past misdeeds are rotting away at his life. He attempts to escape to Colorado, dragging the weight of his victims—symbolized as 'ten dozen hearts in a bag'—along with him. He is a 'modern desperado,' a criminal on the run, racing through the night in a desperate bid to hide from the truth.

Despite his efforts, the narrator insists that his escape is futile. The chorus reinforces that he will never truly get away; the people he has forsaken and the lies he has told have summoned a force that will chase him indefinitely. It is described as a 'game of waiting,' spanning from the holy 'church steeple' down to 'Satan,' implying that moral judgment awaits him everywhere, from the highest highs to the lowest lows. There is no true sanctuary for him until his death.

As the story progresses, his energy begins to wane. He can run no further, and the setting shifts to a metaphorical 'last days of Sparta,' suggesting a final, doomed stand. He is now being led to meet 'Apollo,' the Greek god associated with truth and prophecy, indicating a final judgment or reckoning. He braces for a battle in the night, fighting because he knows he has no other option. Ultimately, the song concludes with the certainty that his flight is in vain; the weight of his actions (karma) will continue to pursue him until his final breath.

"Outrunning Karma" was originally released by Alec Benjamin on his YouTube channel in August 2017, before being officially released as a single and part of his debut mixtape, Narrated for You, on November 16, 2018. The song was written by Alec Benjamin, Danny Mercer (Daniel Murcia), and Ricky Ducati. It was produced by Sam de Jong.

Alec Benjamin is known for his "narrator" persona, often writing songs from the perspective of a storyteller observing a character. In interviews, Benjamin has stated that his songs are often a mix of personal experience and fiction. While he hasn't confirmed a specific real-life inspiration for the "boy" in this song, the track fits his signature style of "dark storytelling" set to upbeat or gentle acoustic melodies. The song was created during a period when Benjamin was building his fanbase through "parking lot shows" and daily YouTube uploads, honing his craft as a modern-day troubadour. The song's production was kept intentionally stripped-back to highlight the lyrics, a hallmark of Benjamin's style during the Narrated for You era.

The song employs a consistent and catchy rhyme scheme, often using AABB or AQAQ structures in the verses. Notable rhymes include "charmer/karma/larva/Sparta" and "Colorado/desperado." Benjamin frequently uses slant rhymes (e.g., "larva" and "Colorado"—forcing the rhyme through pronunciation) which adds to the unique, slightly twisted character of the song.

Rhythmically, the song is set at approximately 112 BPM. The phrasing of the vocals is rapid and rhythmic, often packing many syllables into a single line, which mimics the frantic pace of someone running away. The "La la la" sections serve as a rhythmic break, allowing the listener to digest the heavy narrative while maintaining the song's melodic momentum.

Literary Techniques:

• Narrative Voice: The song uses a third-person omniscient narrator, observing the "boy" with a detached, almost judicial tone.
• Imagery: Visceral and disturbing imagery ("bugs and their larva," "bodies lying") contrasts with the "charmer" persona.
• Allusion: References to Greek mythology (Sparta, Apollo) and Christian cosmology (Church, Satan) give the song a mythic weight.
• Irony: The juxtaposition of the protagonist being a "charmer" while being surrounded by rot and death.

Musical Techniques:

• Instrumentation: The song is driven by a simple, repetitive acoustic guitar riff that creates a hypnotic, circular feeling—mimicking the cycle of karma.
• Rhythm: The track often has a lilt that feels like a waltz (3/4 time feel in the vocal delivery against a 4/4 beat), giving it a slightly off-kilter, nursery-rhyme quality that makes the dark lyrics even more unsettling.
• Vocal Delivery: Alec's higher-pitched, youthful vocals sound innocent, creating a stark contrast with the sinister content of the lyrics (a technique often called "lyrical dissonance").

"Outrunning Karma" is a fan-favorite track from Alec Benjamin's debut mixtape Narrated for You, which was certified Gold by the RIAA. The song helped establish Benjamin's reputation as a "Gen Z storyteller," distinct from his pop peers due to his focus on narrative rather than just romance or partying. It has garnered millions of streams on Spotify and views on YouTube. The song is frequently used in edits and fan videos (AMVs) on platforms like TikTok and YouTube due to its strong imagery and dramatic themes, often applied to fictional characters who are villains or anti-heroes.

The lyrics are dense with vivid imagery and symbolic references:

• "Bugs and their larva": This grotesque imagery symbolizes decay, guilt, and the festering consequences of the protagonist's actions. Just as flies follow rotting meat, these consequences follow him wherever he goes.
• "Colorado": Used as a symbol of a distant hideout or a "fresh start" that is ultimately tainted. Some fans speculate this could be a reference to historical criminals like Ted Bundy (who escaped to Colorado), though this is unconfirmed. It represents the futility of geographical escape when the problem is internal.
• "Ten dozen hearts in a bag": A metaphor for the emotional toll he has inflicted on others. He collects victims (likely romantic partners he has charmed and betrayed) like trophies or baggage that he must now "drag" with him.
• "Sparta" and "Apollo": These references to Greek mythology elevate the story to a tragedy. "Last days of Sparta" implies a doomed last stand or the fall of a once-strong warrior. "Meeting Apollo" (the god of truth, light, and prophecy) symbolizes the final revelation of truth—he can no longer hide in the dark; the light of truth will expose him.
• "Church steeple down to Satan": Represents the entire moral spectrum. There is no sanctuary in heaven (church) or hell (Satan) for him; he is rejected by all moral orders until he pays his dues.

"Outrunning karma": The title phrase is repeated at the start of verses, anchoring the theme. It establishes the central conflict immediately.

"He's never gonna make it": This line in the chorus serves as the moral verdict. Its repetition reinforces the inevitability of his failure; there is no suspense about if he will get caught, only when.

"La la la la la": This melodic motif acts as a haunting lullaby. It sounds innocent and childlike, which contrasts sharply with the lyrics about death and judgment. It serves as a "Greek chorus," commenting on the action without words, perhaps representing the indifference of the universe to his struggle.