About the song
“Runaway with Del Shannon,” the debut album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon, was released in 1961 and marks a significant moment in music history. This album is best known for featuring Shannon’s iconic hit, “Runaway,” which became a defining song of the early rock era.
“Runaway with Del Shannon” is not just notable for its title track. It also includes an early version of “(Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame,” a song that would later gain tremendous popularity when Elvis Presley recorded it later that same year. Additionally, the album presents a cover of Chuck Jackson’s “I Wake Up Crying,” demonstrating Shannon’s range and his ability to interpret a variety of songs.
Critics have recognized this album as an important bridge between the early rock and roll era and the British Invasion that followed. According to Bruce Eder from Allmusic, while some tracks like “The Search” and “I’ll Always Love You” may not appeal to everyone, other tracks such as “I Wake Up Crying” and “Wide Wide World” stand out as successful and showcase Shannon’s talent effectively.
Billboard praised the album for its collection of original songs, highlighting Shannon’s vocal style and his heartfelt approach to music. Similarly, Cashbox referred to the album as Shannon’s “initial LP,” acknowledging its place in his career.
Overall, “Runaway with Del Shannon” is a significant work that captures the essence of early rock and roll and provides a glimpse into the evolution of the genre during a transformative period in music history.
Video
Lyrics
As I walk along, I wonder
What went wrong with our love
A love that was so strong
And as I still walk on, I think of
The things we’ve done together
While our hearts were young
I’ma walkin’ in the rain
Tears are fallin’ and I feel the pain
Wishin’ you were here by me
To end this misery
I wonder
I wo-wo-wo wonder
Why… why-why-why-why-why
She ran away
And I wonder where she will stay
My little runaway
I run-run-run-run runaway
I’ma walkin’ in the rain
Tears are fallin’ and I feel the pain
Wishin’ you were here by me
To end this misery
I wonder
I wo-wo-wo wonder
Why… why-why-why-why-why
She ran away
And I wonder where she will stay
My little runaway
I run-run-run-run runaway
I run-run-run-run runaway
I run-run-run-run runaway