Run is a song recorded by American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 country music

Country music

Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...

 artist George Strait

George Strait

George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...

. It was the lead single released in October 2001 from George Strait's 2001 album The Road Less Traveled. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs

Hot Country Songs

Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...

 charts in December 2001, where it was blocked by Toby Keith's song, I Wanna Talk About Me

I Wanna Talk About Me

"I Wanna Talk About Me" is the title of a song written by Bobby Braddock and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It was released in August 2001 as the second single from Keith's album Pull My Chain...

. It then reached #2 again in early January 2002, where it was blocked by Alan Jackson's, Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)

Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)

"Where Were You " is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. Written in the wake of the September 11 attacks, it was introduced at the Country Music Association's annual awards show on November 7, 2001...

. It also peaked at #34 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it a minor crossover hit.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

Taylor Alison Swift is an American country pop singer-songwriter, musician and actress.In 2006, she released her debut single "Tim McGraw", then her self-titled debut album, which was subsequently certified multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America...

 covered this song during the George Strait All-Star Concert Tribute on May 27, 2009.

Content

The narrator tells his lover to leave Dallas, Texas

Texas

Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...

 and "run" to him. During the song the narrator lists many different forms of transport that his lover can take to reach him.

Critical reception

Chuck Taylor in his review of the single for Billboard Magazine called the songs production "intriguing" and that Strait's "warm vocals weave through a haunting melody." He said that there is a progressive feel to the track but the mandolin and steel guitar keep it traditional.

Chart positions

"Run" debuted at #36 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the chart week of October 13, 2001.

The song's b-side, "The Real Thing", was later the b-side to the album's next single, "Living and Living Well

Living and Living Well

"Living and Living Well" is a song written by Tony Martin, Mark Nesler and Tom Shapiro, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. released in February 2002 as the second single from his 2001 album, The Road Less Traveled. The song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot...

". Although not released as a single itself, "The Real Thing" charted at number 60 for the country chart dated March 22, 2003.

Chart (2001-2002)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs	2
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	34