Del Shannon – Runaway – 1961

About The Song

“Runaway” is a classic rock and roll song by American singer Del Shannon, released in 1961. The song is best known for its distinctive falsetto vocal and innovative use of a musitron, an early form of a synthesizer. “Runaway” was a massive hit and remains one of Del Shannon’s most iconic songs.

Five facts about Del Shannon’s “Runaway”:

Falsetto Opening: The song is instantly recognizable for its distinctive falsetto vocal opening, where Del Shannon sings the famous “Wah-wah, wah-wah” melody. This unique and catchy introduction helped set “Runaway” apart from other songs of its time.
Musitron Innovation: “Runaway” is notable for featuring the musitron, an early form of a synthesizer played by Max Crook, Del Shannon’s keyboardist. The musitron produced the signature instrumental break in the song, adding a futuristic and novel element to the rock and roll genre.
Chart-Topping Success: “Runaway” became a massive commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961. The song’s popularity extended internationally, making Del Shannon a prominent figure in the early 1960s rock and roll scene.
Cover Versions: The success of “Runaway” led to numerous cover versions by various artists over the years. Artists from different genres, including Bonnie Raitt and Jon Bon Jovi, have paid homage to the song with their own interpretations.
Del Shannon’s Legacy: Despite being his biggest hit, Del Shannon faced challenges in maintaining chart success comparable to “Runaway.” Nevertheless, the song remains a classic and has contributed to Del Shannon’s lasting legacy in the history of rock and roll. Del Shannon was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

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