Runaway (Del Shannon song)
Encyclopedia
"Runaway" was a number-one Billboard Hot 100
song made famous by Del Shannon
in 1961. It was written by Shannon and keyboardist Max Crook
, and became a major international hit. It is #466 on Rolling Stone
's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time from 2004.
performed together as members of "Charlie Johnson and the Big Little Show Band" in Battle Creek, Michigan
, before their group won a recording contract in 1960. Westover took the new stage name "Del Shannon", and Crook, who had invented his own clavioline
-based electric keyboard called a Musitron, became "Maximilian".
After their first recording session for Big Top Records
in New York
had ended in failure, their manager Ollie McLaughlin persuaded them to rewrite and re-record an earlier song they had written, "Little Runaway", to highlight Crook's unique instrumental sound. On January 24, 1961, they recorded "Runaway" at the Bell Sound recording studios, with Harry Balk as producer, Fred Weinberg as audio engineer and also session musician on several sections- session musician Al Caiola
on guitar, and Crook playing the central Musitron break. After recording in A minor, producer Balk sped up the recording to pitch just below a B-flat minor. "Runaway" was released in February 1961 and was immediately successful. In April, Shannon appeared on Dick Clark's American Bandstand
helping to catapult it to the number one spot on the Billboard charts where it remained for four weeks. Two months later, it also reached number one in the UK.. On the R&B charts, "Runaway" peaked at number three.
Del Shannon re-recorded the song in 1967 under the name "Runaway '67". This version was issued as a single but failed to make the Hot 100.
covered the song as first track on their 1967 demo From The Beginning
In 1977, Bonnie Raitt
included a bluesy version of the song on her album Sweet Forgiveness
. Also released as a single, it reached #57 on the U.S. Hot 100.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band recorded their strongly parodic version on their album The Penthouse Tapes in 1976.
Del Shannon re-recorded the song for the NBC
television series Crime Story
. The lyrics were slightly changed and the signature organ solo replaced with an electric guitar.
In the mid-1970s the British sessions band Huddersfield Transit Authority recorded a strong cover with the benefit of a full orchestral backing.
Steve Goodman
of Go Cubs Go fame did an acoustic
version one Easter Sunday in the mid-1970s on WNEW-FM. This was later incorporated in the posthumously released Easter Tapes, a compilation
of three separate Easter Sunday programs hosted by Vin Scelsa
.
Luis Cardenas
made a rock cover for his solo album entitled Animal Instinct.
The Traveling Wilburys
released a version as the B-side of their single "She's My Baby". (Lead Wilbury Tom Petty
also references the song in his 1989 hit "Runnin' Down a Dream
", describing himself singing "Runaway" along with Shannon as he drives along listening to the radio.)
Narvel Felts
covered the song in 1978 and took it to #30 on the Hot Country Songs
charts.
A cover by Gary Allan
also charted at #74 on the same chart in 2000, despite not being officially released as a single.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
recorded a punk version on their 2001 single titled "SHANNON".
The Plain White T's recorded a live version at Horseshack
studios on February 9, 2009. It is available for free on their website, Daytrotter
.
Rhythms del Mundo recorded a Latin version with the vocals sung by The Zutons
on their July 2009 fundraiser album Rhythms del Mundo Classics
.
Queen + Paul Rodgers
released a version of this song as an iTunes-exclusive download for their The Cosmos Rocks
album.
Misfits recorded a cover of the song on their 2003 album Project 1950
.
Sonata Arctica
performed an acoustic cover on their "Days of Grays" 2011 tour, in the Italian Stage, in Milan, on 27 February 2011.
Screeching Weasel
recorded a version on their Boogadaboogadaboogada album.
Blood for Blood recorded a version on their Serenity album
P. Paul Fenech, singer of The Meteors
, covered this song on one of his solo albums, Screaming in the 10th key.
Steve Zing
recorded a single with Mourning Noise
members in 1986
Los Coronas also recorded a version on their Dos Bandas Y Un Destino El Concierto (& Arizona Baby) album.
Tracy Huang is cover of album Songs of the 60s.
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
song made famous by Del Shannon
Del Shannon
Del Shannon was an American rock and roll singer-songwriter who had a No. 1 hit, "Runaway", in 1961.- Biography :...
in 1961. It was written by Shannon and keyboardist Max Crook
Max Crook
Maxfield Doyle Crook is an American musician, a pioneer of electronic music in pop. He probably remains best known as the featured soloist on Del Shannon's 1961 hit "Runaway", which he co-wrote and on which he played his own invention, the Musitron...
, and became a major international hit. It is #466 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time from 2004.
Original recording
Singer-guitarist Charles Westover and keyboard player Max CrookMax Crook
Maxfield Doyle Crook is an American musician, a pioneer of electronic music in pop. He probably remains best known as the featured soloist on Del Shannon's 1961 hit "Runaway", which he co-wrote and on which he played his own invention, the Musitron...
performed together as members of "Charlie Johnson and the Big Little Show Band" in Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area , which encompasses all of Calhoun county...
, before their group won a recording contract in 1960. Westover took the new stage name "Del Shannon", and Crook, who had invented his own clavioline
Clavioline
The clavioline is an electronic keyboard instrument, a forerunner to the analog synthesizer.It was invented by Constant Martin in 1947. It consists of a keyboard and a separate amplifier and speaker unit. The keyboard usually covered three octaves, and had a number of switches to alter the tone of...
-based electric keyboard called a Musitron, became "Maximilian".
After their first recording session for Big Top Records
Big Top Records
Bigtop Records was an American record label started by music executive Johnny Bienstock and the music publisher Hill & Range Music. Hit artists included Del Shannon, Johnny and the Hurricanes, Lou Johnson, Sammy Turner, Don and Juan, and Toni Fisher, Big Top also distributed Paul Case's Dunes...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
had ended in failure, their manager Ollie McLaughlin persuaded them to rewrite and re-record an earlier song they had written, "Little Runaway", to highlight Crook's unique instrumental sound. On January 24, 1961, they recorded "Runaway" at the Bell Sound recording studios, with Harry Balk as producer, Fred Weinberg as audio engineer and also session musician on several sections- session musician Al Caiola
Al Caiola
Al Caiola is a guitarist who plays jazz, country, rock, western, and pop music. He has been both a studio musician and stage performer...
on guitar, and Crook playing the central Musitron break. After recording in A minor, producer Balk sped up the recording to pitch just below a B-flat minor. "Runaway" was released in February 1961 and was immediately successful. In April, Shannon appeared on Dick Clark's American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
helping to catapult it to the number one spot on the Billboard charts where it remained for four weeks. Two months later, it also reached number one in the UK.. On the R&B charts, "Runaway" peaked at number three.
Del Shannon re-recorded the song in 1967 under the name "Runaway '67". This version was issued as a single but failed to make the Hot 100.
Covers
The Small FacesThe Small Faces
The Small Faces were an English rock and roll band from East London, heavily influenced by American rhythm and blues. The group was founded in 1965 by members Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, and Jimmy Winston, although by 1966 Winston was replaced by Ian McLagan as the band's...
covered the song as first track on their 1967 demo From The Beginning
From the Beginning (Small Faces album)
From the Beginning was the retrospective album released by English mod, rhythm and blues band Small Faces in June 1967 on Decca Records. The album rose to Number 17 in the UK Album Chart.-Album profile:...
In 1977, Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter and a renowned slide guitar player. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of acclaimed roots-influenced albums which incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk and country, but she is perhaps best known for her more commercially...
included a bluesy version of the song on her album Sweet Forgiveness
Sweet Forgiveness
-Track listing:#"About to Make Me Leave Home" – 4:14#"Runaway" – 3:57#"Two Lives" – 3:49#"Louise" – 2:45#"Gamblin' Man" – 3:27#"Sweet Forgiveness" – 4:11...
. Also released as a single, it reached #57 on the U.S. Hot 100.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band recorded their strongly parodic version on their album The Penthouse Tapes in 1976.
Del Shannon re-recorded the song for the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
television series Crime Story
Crime Story (TV series)
Crime Story is an NBC TV drama created by Gustave Reininger and Chuck Adamson. The executive producer was Michael Mann, who had left Miami Vice to oversee Crime Story and direct the film Manhunter. The show premiered with a two hour pilot — a movie which had been exhibited theatrically —...
. The lyrics were slightly changed and the signature organ solo replaced with an electric guitar.
In the mid-1970s the British sessions band Huddersfield Transit Authority recorded a strong cover with the benefit of a full orchestral backing.
Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman was an American folk music singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. The writer of "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie, Goodman won two Grammy Awards.-Personal life:...
of Go Cubs Go fame did an acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
version one Easter Sunday in the mid-1970s on WNEW-FM. This was later incorporated in the posthumously released Easter Tapes, a compilation
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
of three separate Easter Sunday programs hosted by Vin Scelsa
Vin Scelsa
Vincent Anthony Scelsa, better known as "Vin," was born on December 12, 1947 in Bayonne, New Jersey. He is the host of a freeform radio show known as Idiot's Delight....
.
Luis Cardenas
Luis Cardenas
For the Colombian road cyclist see Luis CárdenasLuis Cardenas is an iconic Latin-American drummer who achieved considerable popularity in the late 1980s with both solo work and as a member of the rock band Renegade.-Luis/Renegade History:...
made a rock cover for his solo album entitled Animal Instinct.
The Traveling Wilburys
Traveling Wilburys
The Traveling Wilburys were an English–American supergroup consisting of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty, accompanied by drummer Jim Keltner...
released a version as the B-side of their single "She's My Baby". (Lead Wilbury Tom Petty
Tom Petty
Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
also references the song in his 1989 hit "Runnin' Down a Dream
Runnin' Down a Dream
"Runnin' Down a Dream" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by Tom Petty. It was released in July 1989 as the second single from his first solo album Full Moon Fever. "Runnin' Down a Dream" achieved reasonable chart success, reaching number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the top of...
", describing himself singing "Runaway" along with Shannon as he drives along listening to the radio.)
Narvel Felts
Narvel Felts
Narvel Felts is an American country music singer. Known for his soaring tenor and high falsetto, Felts enjoyed his greatest success during the 1970s, most famously 1975's "Reconsider Me."-Career:...
covered the song in 1978 and took it to #30 on the 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.
A cover by Gary Allan
Gary Allan
Gary Allan Herzberg is an American country music artist, known professionally as Gary Allan.Signed to Decca Records in 1996, Allan made his debut on the United States country music scene with the release of his single "Her Man", the lead-off to his gold-certified debut album Used Heart for Sale,...
also charted at #74 on the same chart in 2000, despite not being officially released as a single.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
recorded a punk version on their 2001 single titled "SHANNON".
The Plain White T's recorded a live version at Horseshack
Daytrotter
Daytrotter is a website for the recording studio Horseshack, which hosts recording sessions with many popular and typically upcoming indie music acts, although it works with local bands in the Illinois area as well. The sessions can be compared to that of a radio station's lounge recordings, where...
studios on February 9, 2009. It is available for free on their website, Daytrotter
Daytrotter
Daytrotter is a website for the recording studio Horseshack, which hosts recording sessions with many popular and typically upcoming indie music acts, although it works with local bands in the Illinois area as well. The sessions can be compared to that of a radio station's lounge recordings, where...
.
Rhythms del Mundo recorded a Latin version with the vocals sung by The Zutons
The Zutons
The Zutons are an English indie rock band from Liverpool. They were formed in 2001 but did not release their first album, Who Killed...... The Zutons?, until May 2004. They achieved their biggest hits with "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?" and "Valerie", both taken from their second studio album...
on their July 2009 fundraiser album Rhythms del Mundo Classics
Rhythms del Mundo Classics
Rhythms del Mundo Classics is the follow-up album to the internationally successful album Rhythms del Mundo, featuring artists like The Killers, Amy Winehouse, Keane, Jack Johnson, The Rolling Stones, KT Tunstall and Rodrigo y Gabriela.-Charity:...
.
Queen + Paul Rodgers
Queen + Paul Rodgers
Queen + Paul Rodgers was a supergroup collaboration between Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen and Paul Rodgers...
released a version of this song as an iTunes-exclusive download for their The Cosmos Rocks
The Cosmos Rocks
The Cosmos Rocks is the debut studio album by Queen + Paul Rodgers released on 15 September 2008 in Europe and 28 October 2008 in North America. It contains 14 new tracks written by Brian May, Paul Rodgers and Roger Taylor...
album.
Misfits recorded a cover of the song on their 2003 album Project 1950
Project 1950
-Chart positions:-Bonus DVD:# "This Magic Moment"# "Dream Lover"# "Diana"# "Donna"# "Runaway"*Tracks 1-4, recorded at the Phillips US Open Snowboarding Championships*Track 5, recorded live, at The World in NYCBonus Material...
.
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
performed an acoustic cover on their "Days of Grays" 2011 tour, in the Italian Stage, in Milan, on 27 February 2011.
Screeching Weasel
Screeching Weasel
Screeching Weasel is an American punk rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1986 by Ben Weasel and John Jughead.Since their formation, Screeching Weasel have broken up and reformed numerous times with numerous line-up changes. Ben Weasel has been the only constant...
recorded a version on their Boogadaboogadaboogada album.
Blood for Blood recorded a version on their Serenity album
P. Paul Fenech, singer of The Meteors
The Meteors
The Meteors are an English psychobilly band formed in 1980. Originally from London, England, they are often credited with giving the psychobilly subgenre—which fuses punk rock with rockabilly—its distinctive sound and style...
, covered this song on one of his solo albums, Screaming in the 10th key.
Steve Zing
Steve Zing
Steve Zing drummed for Implosion, Mourning Noise, and The Undead before joining Samhain and a Pale Horse Named Death....
recorded a single with Mourning Noise
Mourning Noise
Mourning Noise was an American horror- and hardcore punk band from Lodi, New Jersey, notable for drummer Steve Zing. Active around the time of the Misfits, Mourning Noise were strongly influenced by the Misfits as drummer Steve Zing lived very close to Jerry Only and Doyle's house and Steve went to...
members in 1986
Los Coronas also recorded a version on their Dos Bandas Y Un Destino El Concierto (& Arizona Baby) album.
Tracy Huang is cover of album Songs of the 60s.
Television
- HeroesHeroes (TV series)Heroes is an American science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring that appeared on NBC for four seasons from September 25, 2006 through February 8, 2010. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and how these abilities take effect in the...
(2009) The song is played when Emile Danko switches on the radio in his car at the beginning of the episode Into AsylumInto Asylum"Into Asylum" is the twenty-first episode of the third season of the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes and fifty-fifth episode overall...
of season 3.
- Crime StoryCrime Story (TV series)Crime Story is an NBC TV drama created by Gustave Reininger and Chuck Adamson. The executive producer was Michael Mann, who had left Miami Vice to oversee Crime Story and direct the film Manhunter. The show premiered with a two hour pilot — a movie which had been exhibited theatrically —...
(1986) A remix of the song by Todd RundgrenTodd RundgrenTodd Harry Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. Hailed in the early stage of his career as a new pop-wunderkind, supported by the certified gold solo double LP Something/Anything? in 1972, Todd Rundgren's career has produced a diverse range of recordings...
was used as the theme song for the TV series Crime Story. Bonnie Raitt's cover also appeared in an episode of the show. - the song was featured in American Graffiti (1973)
See also
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1961 (U.S.)
- List of number-one singles from the 1960s (UK)