Runs In The Family

Amanda Palmer's song "Runs In The Family" delves into the complex and often burdensome legacy of familial traits and mental health issues. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of friends and family members grappling with various ailments, both physical and psychological, that are attributed to their genetic makeup. The song opens with a friend who suffers from seasonal affective disorder, a condition often treated with light therapy and medication, highlighting the idea that some struggles are inherited and unavoidable. This sets the stage for a broader exploration of how deeply ingrained issues can be within a family lineage.

The chorus, "I say it runs in the family," serves as a poignant refrain that underscores the inevitability of these inherited traits. Palmer uses her own experiences to illustrate how these familial patterns manifest in her life, from mental health struggles to behavioral tendencies. The line "This family that carries me to such great lengths to open my legs up to anyone who'll have me" is particularly striking, suggesting a cycle of self-destructive behavior that she feels powerless to break. The song's narrative is both personal and universal, resonating with anyone who has felt the weight of their family's history pressing down on them.

As the song progresses, Palmer introduces more characters, each with their own set of inherited issues, from depression to historical maladies. The lyrics, "My friend's depressed, she's a wreck, she's a mess," and the subsequent verses, emphasize the pervasive nature of these inherited conditions. The song culminates in a powerful declaration that one cannot escape their family, no matter how far they run. The imagery of "corpses on ice" hiding inside her is a haunting metaphor for the inescapable influence of her lineage. Ultimately, "Runs In The Family" is a raw and unflinching examination of how deeply our family history can shape our present and future, often in ways we cannot control.