5:03 "Running Away" Final Song Analysis.

[The Reverend Bizarre]

I totally meant to do this starting with the first episode of this season, but I lost track. D: Oh well, I'll just start here.

I've noticed that all through Cold Case they use music that reflects the time and the mood of a certain time and situation. This is none more true than the pivotal final song of each episode. Have you ever watched the ending montage and wondered why they picked "that song." for "that ending"?

I can't provide any concrete why's, but I can offer some ideas an analysis. This week I'll be analyzing the final song from episode 5:03: "Running Away."

Song Title: "Breakaway."

Performed by: Kelly Clarkson

Written by: Avril Lavigne

Album: Breakaway.

Duration: 3:58

Lyrics:


Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray (I would pray)

Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I prayed I could break away

[Chorus:]
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway

Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jet plane, far away (I will)
And breakaway

[Chorus]

Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway

I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway, breakaway, breakaway


Last night's episode of Cold Case dealt with the Amish and the tradition of Rumspringa. On the surface the show may have seemed to be about a girl who was killed during this rite of passage. In reality though the message goes a lot deeper.

Within man there is a desire to belong somewhere and to be wanted. This desire is often referred to as "being home." In this episode we see two instances of a person wanting to find home. The most obvious one is Joshua who has been living in the City, and appears to be happy. We soon realize that he's miserable, and all he wants to do is come home.

Then there's Anna who's still searching for where she considers home. She's not yet ready to leave the city because she probably believes that there's a whole new world out there just waiting to be explored. Unfortunately before she can start to truly explore the world around her she is killed by the person who wants to go home.

If we look at this theme then the song they chose definitely fits. The song appears to give the message about someone wanting to find there home, even if this means they have to spread their wings, take a chance, and learn how to fly.

Often times we forget how to spread our wings, and fly. As a result we are unable to take chances, and may feel confined. In this episode Anna felt confined by the Amish life, while Joshua felt confined by drugs and the city life.

Here comes the big question. Did either Anna or Joshua find "home"? At first the answer may be "no! No of course not! A thousand times no!" Answers such as these are never easy to tell.

Anna's friend Rachel mentions that Anna is happier in the afterlife. Remember that the Amish are Christian, and they believe that when they die they're going to go to Heaven. (aka "Home") If we believe this, then Anna finally made it home.

Joshua also made it home. True he'll probably receive his just retribution but it will be in a place and a system that he calls home. Somehow being punished at home is sometimes a lot better than being punished in a place where you're an alien.

And that's what the final song was about. It was about finding your home no matter the cost. It was about spreading your wings, learning to fly, and breaking away from the confinements of what traps you.

That wraps up my first analysis. Any other ideas well be appreciated. Thoughts and comments are also welcome.

[TVFan]

Awesome idea TRB!! LOVED your thoughts on this week's final song. I always watch the closing montage and think about why they chose THAT song for that episode. Also, I never knew that Avril Lavigne wrote Breakway!

And that's what the final song was about. It was about finding your home no matter the cost. It was about spreading your wings, learning to fly, and breaking away from the confinements of what traps you.

I'm not a fan of that song (mainly because I'm not a Kelly Clarkson fan), but this is exactly why I thought it worked so well as the ending song of this episode. It's a song filled with promise and hope, but also sadness and this was the feel of the closing montage. I liked that the song portrayed the whole "breaking away from the confinements of what traps you" theme of the episode so well.

[The Reverend Bizarre]

Truth be told I'm not a fan of the song either, but because it works so well with this episode then it works. Could you imagine if they used "How to Save a Life" by the Fray? Yeah, it wouldn't work for numerous reasons.

I was reading somewhere that Avril Lavigne wrote the song, but felt that the song would be better if it were performed by Kelly Clarkson. I have to admit that this choice might have been for the best.

Hopefully by tonight or tomorrow I can get up the final song analysis for "Thrill Kill" and "That Girl"

[Naj]

You know I never made the connection but the Kelly Clarkson song hit it exactly. Especially about the mother's desires, as well, never having the opportunity to experience Rumspringa.

Here comes the big question. Did either Anna or Joshua find "home"? At first the answer may be "no! No of course not! A thousand times no!" Answers such as these are never easy to tell.

Maybe the answer is "maybe". Anna and Joshua deciding the city wasn't for them but their freedom to decide was decided.