Running Wild
Girlschool · 1985
36 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal
A fierce blend of heavy metal riffs and catchy melodies underscored by powerful vocals, embodying the spirit of 80s rock.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Running Wild — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of freedom and rebellion with its driving guitar riffs and anthemic chorus, making it a standout anthem for fans.
-
→
Let Me Go — This opening track combines aggressive instrumentation with lyrics about escaping constraints, setting a powerful tone for the album's energetic vibe.
-
→
Nasty Nasty — With its infectious rhythm and playful lyrics, this track exemplifies Girlschool’s knack for blending humor with hard-hitting rock, highlighting their unique style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid heavy metal craftsmanship but lacks standout tracks that elevate it beyond its peers.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast tempo, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down slightly in the latter tracks.
- Each song features prominent guitar riffs and harmonized vocals, often alternating between lead and backing parts to create a dynamic sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- fierce bursts of youthful energy
- catchy anthems for sing-alongs
- short tracks with punchy impact
- high-octane driving motivation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- want mellow, laid-back vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1985, Running Wild is Girlschool's fourth studio album, following their breakthrough record, Hit and Run. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their place within the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene, having already established a reputation for energetic performances and strong songwriting.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Let Me Go 3:47
- 2 Running Wild 4:38
- 3 Do You Love Me? 3:18
- 4 Something for Nothing 3:15
- 5 Are You Ready 3:37
- 6 Nowhere to Run 3:44
- 7 I Want You Back 4:32
- 8 Nasty Nasty 2:44
- 9 Love Is a Lie 3:09
- 10 Can’t You See 3:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.