Run for Your Life (Matt Cardle song)
Encyclopedia
"Run for Your Life" is a song by British singer-songwriter Matt Cardle
from his upcoming debut studio album, Letters
. It was released as the album's lead single on 9 October 2011. The song was written and produced by Gary Barlow
, and was the last song that Cardle recorded for the album.
frontman Gary Barlow
after Barlow took over the role of head judge on ITV talent series The X Factor
, of which Matt was a previous winner. Barlow wrote the song following a request from the head of Cardle's record label, Simon Cowell
. During an interview for Digital Spy
, Cardle discussed the track: "I'm really, really happy to have had Gary Barlow
write a song for me. We had 90% of the album written, and then really late in the process, Gary sent the song through. I really related to it. I've been in that position many times, you know, that the song is talking about. It's about not being good enough for the person you're with and not being able to give enough, I was nearly in tears recording the vocals. I've actually been trying to write that kind of song for a long time - it's putting yourself down in a clever way. Gary nailed it, and then he let me have a go at singing it, I couldn't pass it up, so I'm really happy about that."
page. On 29 August, the song received it's first radio airplay by Chris Moyles
on BBC Radio 1
. On 13 September 2011, the video for the song premiered on Cardle's YouTube channel. The song was officially released via digital download on 9 October 2011, with a CD Single release following the next day.
rated the song 3 out of 5, stating: "X Factor winners of the male variety have never had it easy. Steve Brookstein
and Leon Jackson
barely made it past a second single, while Shayne Ward
and Joe McElderry
were more recently banished from the Syco clique after failing to match the bar set by Leona
and Alexandra
. Fortunately for Matt Cardle, his anti-talent show image during last year's competition gave him a more promising outlook - but is it enough to buck the boys' worrying trend? Judging by 'Run For Your Life', it looks like he's finally succumbed to the peer pressure. Over an anaemic guitar-pop melody, he confesses he's not worthy of his kindly lass, admitting: 'You need someone to walk you back/ Someone to love you too before you ask" - before launching into the arm-waving, Gary Barlow-penned chorus. While Matt's famous falsetto manages a brief appearance, it's about the only distinguishable feature that remains from his once-rebellious nature." It also called the single a "disappointing start." The BBC
described the single as "plodding" and "try-hard" The Guardian
said it "sounds like a song Barlow was happy for Take That
to pass up." Pop Ledge said it "was probably a Take That D-side cast off – not much to get excited about."
WhatCulture gave it a positive review, commenting that "Run for Your Life" "shows off Cardle’s stunning vocal range"
The Observer
notes that Cardle "grimaces like a man passing kidney stones in his new video."
, in front of songwriter Gary Barlow
.
Matt Cardle
Matthew Sheridan "Matt" Cardle is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to fame after winning the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010. He received a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music by winning, and his debut number one single "When We Collide" was released immediately...
from his upcoming debut studio album, Letters
Letters (Matt Cardle album)
Letters is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter and guitarist Matt Cardle. It was released on 14 October 2011 and charted at no.2, selling over 70,000 copies in its first week...
. It was released as the album's lead single on 9 October 2011. The song was written and produced by Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters...
, and was the last song that Cardle recorded for the album.
Background
The song was written by Take ThatTake That
Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
frontman Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters...
after Barlow took over the role of head judge on ITV talent series The X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
, of which Matt was a previous winner. Barlow wrote the song following a request from the head of Cardle's record label, Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
. During an interview for Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
, Cardle discussed the track: "I'm really, really happy to have had Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters...
write a song for me. We had 90% of the album written, and then really late in the process, Gary sent the song through. I really related to it. I've been in that position many times, you know, that the song is talking about. It's about not being good enough for the person you're with and not being able to give enough, I was nearly in tears recording the vocals. I've actually been trying to write that kind of song for a long time - it's putting yourself down in a clever way. Gary nailed it, and then he let me have a go at singing it, I couldn't pass it up, so I'm really happy about that."
Release
The song first premiered on 19 August 2011, in a 30-second snippet posted by Cardle on his FacebookFacebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page. On 29 August, the song received it's first radio airplay by Chris Moyles
Chris Moyles
Christopher David Moyles is an English radio and television presenter and author, who currently presents The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 and Chris Moyles' Quiz Night on Channel 4....
on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
. On 13 September 2011, the video for the song premiered on Cardle's YouTube channel. The song was officially released via digital download on 9 October 2011, with a CD Single release following the next day.
Critical reception
"Run for Your Life" was met with generally mixed to negative reviews. Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
rated the song 3 out of 5, stating: "X Factor winners of the male variety have never had it easy. Steve Brookstein
Steve Brookstein
Steve Brookstein is an English jazz and soul singer, who rose to fame in the UK in 2004 after winning the first series of The X Factor...
and Leon Jackson
Leon Jackson
Leon Jackson is a Scottish singer-songwriter. He won the fourth series of British talent show The X Factor in 2007. Following his win, Jackson was the main star of his on-web series entitled Leon's Life, which ran from 2007 until 2008...
barely made it past a second single, while Shayne Ward
Shayne Ward
Shayne Thomas Ward is an English pop singer who rose to fame as the winner of second series of The X Factor. He has sold over 3 million records worldwide and has had number one albums and singles in 9 countries.During The X Factor competition, Ward was mentored by manager Louis Walsh...
and Joe McElderry
Joe McElderry
Joseph "Joe" McElderry is an English singer and model. He won the sixth series of the ITV show The X Factor in 2009. His first single "The Climb" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and Irish Singles Charts. He was also crowned the winner of the second series of Popstar to Operastar, two...
were more recently banished from the Syco clique after failing to match the bar set by Leona
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
and Alexandra
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke is a British R&B and pop recording artist who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of British television series The X Factor in 2008...
. Fortunately for Matt Cardle, his anti-talent show image during last year's competition gave him a more promising outlook - but is it enough to buck the boys' worrying trend? Judging by 'Run For Your Life', it looks like he's finally succumbed to the peer pressure. Over an anaemic guitar-pop melody, he confesses he's not worthy of his kindly lass, admitting: 'You need someone to walk you back/ Someone to love you too before you ask" - before launching into the arm-waving, Gary Barlow-penned chorus. While Matt's famous falsetto manages a brief appearance, it's about the only distinguishable feature that remains from his once-rebellious nature." It also called the single a "disappointing start." The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
described the single as "plodding" and "try-hard" The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
said it "sounds like a song Barlow was happy for Take That
Take That
Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
to pass up." Pop Ledge said it "was probably a Take That D-side cast off – not much to get excited about."
WhatCulture gave it a positive review, commenting that "Run for Your Life" "shows off Cardle’s stunning vocal range"
Music video
The music video was directed by Tom Watson, and was premiered on 13 September 2011 via Cardle's YouTube channel. The video features Cardle performing in front of a video screen, watching images of a woman running along a beach, staring back at him. The video culminates when the woman jumps out of the screen, hugs Cardle, and the pair walk off into the distance.The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
notes that Cardle "grimaces like a man passing kidney stones in his new video."
Live performances
Cardle performed the song live for the first time on 9 October 2011 during the live results show of The X FactorThe X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
, in front of songwriter Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters...
.
Track listing
- Digital download
- "Run for Your Life" - 4:08
- "Lost & Found" - 4:13
- "Chemical" - 3:12
- "Sparks" - 4:11 (Amazon.co.uk Bonus Track)
- CD single
- "Run for Your Life" - 4:08
- "Lost & Found" - 4:13
- "Chemical" - 3:12
Chart performance
| Chart (2011 | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Download (The Official Charts Company) | 7 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 7 October 2011 | Digital download, CD single | Syco Music / Columbia Records Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company... |
| United Kingdom | 9 October 2011 | Digital download | |
| 10 October 2011 | CD single |