About the song
“Runaway,” the iconic hit single by Del Shannon, remains one of the most memorable songs of the early 1960s. Released in early 1961, this song quickly captured the public’s imagination and soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, where it dominated for four consecutive weeks. Written by Shannon and his collaborator Max Crook, “Runaway” stands out not only for its catchy melody and poignant lyrics but also for its innovative use of the Musitron, an electric keyboard invented by Crook.
Del Shannon, born Charles Westover, and Max Crook first performed together as part of “Charlie Johnson and the Big Little Show Band” in Battle Creek, Michigan. After a series of setbacks, including a failed initial recording session, their manager Ollie McLaughlin encouraged them to revisit an earlier track, “Little Runaway,” and rework it to showcase Crook’s distinctive Musitron sound. The decision proved to be a stroke of genius. Recorded at Bell Sound Studios in New York City on January 21, 1961, with Harry Balk as producer, “Runaway” featured a host of talented session musicians, including Al Caiola on guitar, Moe Wechsler on piano, and Crook himself on the Musitron, creating a rich and unique instrumental break.
The track’s success was almost immediate. Released in February 1961, it rapidly climbed the charts, bolstered by Shannon’s appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. By April, “Runaway” was firmly entrenched at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, a position it held for a remarkable four weeks. The song also achieved significant international success, topping the UK’s Record Retailer chart for three weeks and reaching number three on Billboard’s Hot R&B Sides.
“Runaway” was not only a commercial triumph but also a critical one, earning a place at number 472 on Rolling Stone’s 2010 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and number 466 on the 2004 version. Additionally, it was ranked as the number five song on Billboard’s “Hot 100 for 1961” and was featured on Cash Box’s “Top 100 Chart Hits of 1961.”
In summary, “Runaway” is a quintessential piece of early 60s pop and rock music, celebrated for its innovative sound, emotional depth, and lasting impact on both music and popular culture.
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