The song lyrics describe a cycle of love and fear between two people. The singer promises to be a source of hope, guidance, and support for the subject as either a "burning sun" or "match" who lights their way. This cycle of being together and having difficulties will repeat until the feelings of love run out between them. The singer says they will continue in this cycle, being the subject's "light" and source of both comfort and fear, until the love fades away.

1. LYRIC ANALYSIS

2. I'll be your light, your match, your burning sun,
I'll be the bright and black that's making you run.
And I feel alright, and we'll feel alright,
'Cause we'll work it out, yeah we'll work it out.
I'll be doin' this, if you ever doubt,
'til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.
I'll be your ghost, your game, your stadium.
I'll be your fifty thousand clapping like one.
And I feel alright, and I feel alright,
'Cause I worked it out, yeah I worked it out.
I'll be doin' this, if you ever doubt,
'til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.
I got my mind made up and I can't let go.
I'm killing every second 'til it saves my soul.
I'll be running, I'll be running,
'til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.
And we'll start a fire, and we'll shut it down,
'til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.
Light is often a symbol of hope
and guidance, a point which is
hammered down in this song
through repetition.
Whether she needs help at night
(match), or in the day (sun), he’ll
be there for her.
I rather think the first couple of lines
refers to a cycle: first he’ll be
gravitational like a sun, illuminating like a
match in your darkest times; then he’ll
be dangerous and intimidating, making
you run. But then he and you will have a
nice talk, get back together, and feel
better.
Stated cycle of love, fear, and
getting back together will
repeat until he gets tired of
it. He has all the control here.
He’ll be the one who haunts your
thoughts (ghost). He’ll be your challenge
(game/stadium). The word ‘game’ can be
associated with the word ‘play’ — a
possible meaning is that he’ll mess with
your feelings.
Stated cycle of love, fear, and
getting back together will repeat
until he gets tired of it. He has all
the control here.

3. There's a maniac out in front of me.
Got an angel on my shoulder, and Mephistopheles.
My momma raised me good, momma raised me right.
Momma said "do what you want, say prayers at night",
And I'm saying them, cause I'm so devout.
'Til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out, yeah.
I got my mind made up and I can't let go.
I'm killing every second 'til it saves my soul.
I'll be running, I'll be running,
'til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.
And we'll start a fire, and we'll shut it down,
'til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.
Ooh, we all want the same thing.
Ooh, we all run for something.
Oh for God, for fate,
For love, for hate,
For gold, and rust,
For diamonds, and dust.
His mother is telling him that
he can do whatever he wants
as long as he prays and asks
for forgiveness.
He is naming the different things people
may be running for. By running for, he
means living their life for
They’ll stay
together until they
don’t have feelings
for each other.

4. I'll be our light, your match, your burning sun,
I'll be the bright and black that's making you run.
I got my mind made up and I can't let go.
I'm killing every second 'til it saves my soul.
I'll be running, I'll be running,
'til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.
And we'll start a fire, and we'll shut it down,
'til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.
I'll be your light, your match, your burning sun,
I'll be the bright and black that's making you run.
And I feel alright, and we'll feel alright,
'Cause we'll work it out, yeah we'll work it out.
And we'll start a fire, and we'll shut it down,
'til the love runs out, 'til the love runs out.
'Til the love runs out.
He’ll saying he’ll be there for her
He’ll be gravitational like a sun
and bright like a match in your
darkest times.