Run (Snow Patrol song)
Encyclopedia
"Run" is a cover of the Snow Patrol
song by Leona Lewis
on BBC Radio 1
's Live Lounge
on 31 October 2007. She later released the song as a single from Spirit: The Deluxe Edition
in November 2008. At the time, "Run" was the UK's fastest-selling digital only release ever, selling 69,244 copies in just two days. The song was released as the final single from her album in the United Kingdom.
section of The Jo Whiley Show
, where artists perform two songs: one song of their own and one by another artist, in an acoustic format. The performance was recorded at the BBC Maida Vale Studios
, where Lewis was backed by a 14-piece band. The show's host Jo Whiley
said that "people did cry". She referred to it as "the most famous cover" (from her show), stating that it's "always in demand and developed a life of its own." The day after Lewis' version appeared on the Live Lounge, it was requested over 8,000 times in the first 2 minutes of The Chris Moyles Show
. As a result, her version was added to Radio 1's A List. Due to its popularity, Lewis recorded a studio version of the song in September 2008 for the re-release of her album Spirit. It was made available digitally in Ireland on 17 November 2008 and on 30 November 2008 in the United Kingdom.
"Run" was expected to be released as a single following Lewis' performance on The X Factor, but the single didn't appear on any online music store
s. It was believed that Lewis' record label, Sony
, wanted to shift the sales towards the reissue of Spirit, which did return the album to number one. A spokesman
for Lewis reported that the song "has never been scheduled for release as a single", but due to "overwhelming public demand", Lewis' management and record label decided to release it in the UK on the 30 November. In the U.S, a radio edit of "Run" was released as a digital download on 16 December 2008.
on 15 November, after which Simon Cowell
commented that her performance was "absolutely incredible". She also performed the song live on Divas II which aired on ITV1
in the UK on 23 November 2008. Lewis performed the song on the Royal Variety Performance
, which aired on 17 December and the Top of the Pops Christmas Special which aired on Christmas Day
.
admitted in November 2008 that he still hadn't heard the song: "Nothing against her, but I don't know if I'm going to endorse it either. It is what it is." The following month, Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody described Lewis' version of the song as "phenomenal". He told the Scottish newspaper The Daily Record
: "She obviously studied the song and thought long and hard about how to interpret it. She's stripped it to its bare core. I think she sounds absolutely phenomenal. I'm not a big fan of shows like The X Factor
, but when talent like this comes along, I can't slate it. She's going to be around in 20 years. She's the next Whitney
. She takes my breath away." Music Radar said that "The two versions couldn't be more different. Snow Patrol's rendering is dark and moody, while Leona Lewis's is big-time pop", and quoted Gary Lightbody as saying "That's what you want a song to do ... Different interpretations and meanings. Songs aren't monolithic, at least the good ones aren't. What Leona Lewis has done has touched hearts." Newsround
highly praised Lewis' cover version, stating that "the full gospel choir and orchestra easily match Leona's powerful pipes - and remind listeners why the song made people cry when she first performed it on Radio 1's Live Lounge last year".
"Run" received three stars out of five from Digital Spy
, who said that Lewis "wrings every last drop of emotion out of Gary Lightbody's lyrics, channeling her inner Mariah
for some almighty warbling at the crescendo". The Sentinel described the single as "so much better" than Snow Patrol's original song. "It's powerful, painful and the choir behind it takes it on to another level." Radio presenter James Daniels concurred, saying "Leona just takes it to a whole new level, which is a phrase I hate to use – but it's true".
Leona's version of "Run" was featured in "Fool Me Once", the fourteenth episode of the first season
of The Vampire Diaries
.
in its first week of release, due to download sales alone. "Run" remained on the top position the four weeks in total. On 7 December 2008, it entered the UK Singles Chart
at number one, also on downloads alone, making it her 3rd number one. It had become the fastest-selling UK download ever after it sold 69,244 in just two days, a record it held until December 2009. By the end of the first week, download sales had reached 131,593, some eight thousand below the first week sales of "A Moment Like This"., except for the fact that her debut single sold over 500,000 in its first week. The single spent a second week at number one in the United Kingdom, before 2008's The X Factor
winner Alexandra Burke
charted with "Hallelujah". "Run" re-entered The Official UK Top 40 at 32 on 15 March 2009.
The single has reached number one in Austria, Ireland and UK. Also, peaked at 45 at the year-end charts in the UK. On 8 October 2010 "Run" reached the German Top100 again, after having been performed by a 14-years-old contestant on Das Supertalent
. It placed at #9, its highest position so far. After another 4 weeks, the song reached an even higher position, jumping from No. 27 to No. 3. In March 2011, the single spent its 52nd week at No. 49 on the German Singles Chart, making it her first single to be on that chart for one year or longer, and the 41st single in general to do so.
and was directed by Jake Nava
. Lewis herself described the setting of the video as "an enchanted, haunted forest. It's picking up on different elements of the song." The video starts out with Lewis alone on a dusty trail, seemingly lost. She enters a dark forest and appears to be stalked by the viewer. In the final chorus, Lewis draws in the sun and the forest literally lights up, matching the lyrics of the song.
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
song by Leona Lewis
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....
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...
's Live Lounge
Live Lounge
The Live Lounge is a segment on the British radio station BBC Radio 1. Originally hosted by Jo Whiley on her mid-morning radio show and now hosted by Fearne Cotton, it exhibits well-known artists usually performing one song of their own and one by another artist, in an acoustic format...
on 31 October 2007. She later released the song as a single from Spirit: The Deluxe Edition
Spirit (Leona Lewis album)
Spirit is the debut album by British singer Leona Lewis, released by Syco Music in November 2007 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, followed by a worldwide release during early 2008...
in November 2008. At the time, "Run" was the UK's fastest-selling digital only release ever, selling 69,244 copies in just two days. The song was released as the final single from her album in the United Kingdom.
Background
Lewis first performed "Run" on the Live LoungeLive Lounge
The Live Lounge is a segment on the British radio station BBC Radio 1. Originally hosted by Jo Whiley on her mid-morning radio show and now hosted by Fearne Cotton, it exhibits well-known artists usually performing one song of their own and one by another artist, in an acoustic format...
section of The Jo Whiley Show
The Jo Whiley Show
The Jo Whiley Show was a British weekday radio show on BBC Radio 1 hosted by Jo Whiley. The programme was on air from February 2001 to September 2009 and was broadcast each morning between 10:00am and 12:45pm. And Bank Holidays And Good Fridays At 10.00-13.00-Show Format:The show began at 10:00am...
, where artists perform two songs: one song of their own and one by another artist, in an acoustic format. The performance was recorded at the BBC Maida Vale Studios
Maida Vale Studios
Maida Vale Studios is a complex of seven BBC studios on Delaware Road, Maida Vale, London.It has been used to record thousands of classical music, popular music and drama sessions for BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4 from 1946 to the present...
, where Lewis was backed by a 14-piece band. The show's host Jo Whiley
Jo Whiley
Johanne "Jo" Whiley is a British radio disc jockey and television presenter. She was the host of the long running weekday Jo Whiley Show on Radio 1.-Early life and education:...
said that "people did cry". She referred to it as "the most famous cover" (from her show), stating that it's "always in demand and developed a life of its own." The day after Lewis' version appeared on the Live Lounge, it was requested over 8,000 times in the first 2 minutes of The Chris Moyles Show
The Chris Moyles Show
The Chris Moyles Show is the current BBC Radio 1 breakfast show in the UK, and has been since Chris Moyles became the station's breakfast show presenter on 5 January 2004. From 2004 to 2007, the show was broadcast 6:55–10:00 am each weekday, but since 15 October 2007 it has started from...
. As a result, her version was added to Radio 1's A List. Due to its popularity, Lewis recorded a studio version of the song in September 2008 for the re-release of her album Spirit. It was made available digitally in Ireland on 17 November 2008 and on 30 November 2008 in the United Kingdom.
"Run" was expected to be released as a single following Lewis' performance on The X Factor, but the single didn't appear on any online music store
Online music store
An online music store is an online business which sells audio files, usually music, on a per-song and/or subscription basis. It may be differentiated from music streaming services in that the music store offers the actual music file, while streaming services offer partial or full listening without...
s. It was believed that Lewis' record label, Sony
Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
, wanted to shift the sales towards the reissue of Spirit, which did return the album to number one. A spokesman
Spokesman
A spokesperson or spokesman or spokeswoman is someone engaged or elected to speak on behalf of others.In the present media-sensitive world, many organizations are increasingly likely to employ professionals who have received formal training in journalism, communications, public relations and...
for Lewis reported that the song "has never been scheduled for release as a single", but due to "overwhelming public demand", Lewis' management and record label decided to release it in the UK on the 30 November. In the U.S, a radio edit of "Run" was released as a digital download on 16 December 2008.
Promotion
Lewis performed "Run" on the fifth series of The X FactorThe X Factor (UK series 5)
The fifth UK series of The X Factor was broadcast on ITV in 2008. The series started on 16 August and was won by Alexandra Burke on 13 December, with new judge Cheryl Cole emerging as the winning mentor. Auditions in front of producers were held in April/May, with callbacks in front of the judges...
on 15 November, after which 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...
commented that her performance was "absolutely incredible". She also performed the song live on Divas II which aired on ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
in the UK on 23 November 2008. Lewis performed the song on the Royal Variety Performance
Royal Variety Performance
The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch. In more recent years Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have alternately attended the performance...
, which aired on 17 December and the Top of the Pops Christmas Special which aired on Christmas Day
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
.
Reception
The song has been critically acclaimed among many although Snow Patrol guitarist Nathan ConnollyNathan Connolly
Nathan Connolly is a Northern Irish musician, who is best known as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for alternative rock band Snow Patrol.-Early life:...
admitted in November 2008 that he still hadn't heard the song: "Nothing against her, but I don't know if I'm going to endorse it either. It is what it is." The following month, Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody described Lewis' version of the song as "phenomenal". He told the Scottish newspaper The Daily Record
Daily Record (Scotland)
The Daily Record is a Scottish tabloid newspaper based in Glasgow. It had been the best-selling daily paper in Scotland for many years with a paid circulation in August 2011 of 307,794 . It is now outsold by its arch-rival the Scottish Sun which in September 2010 had a circulation of 339,586 in...
: "She obviously studied the song and thought long and hard about how to interpret it. She's stripped it to its bare core. I think she sounds absolutely phenomenal. I'm not a big fan of shows like 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...
, but when talent like this comes along, I can't slate it. She's going to be around in 20 years. She's the next Whitney
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
. She takes my breath away." Music Radar said that "The two versions couldn't be more different. Snow Patrol's rendering is dark and moody, while Leona Lewis's is big-time pop", and quoted Gary Lightbody as saying "That's what you want a song to do ... Different interpretations and meanings. Songs aren't monolithic, at least the good ones aren't. What Leona Lewis has done has touched hearts." Newsround
Newsround
Newsround is a BBC children's news programme, which has run continuously since 4 April 1972, and was one of the world's first television news magazines aimed specifically at children...
highly praised Lewis' cover version, stating that "the full gospel choir and orchestra easily match Leona's powerful pipes - and remind listeners why the song made people cry when she first performed it on Radio 1's Live Lounge last year".
"Run" received three stars out of five from 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....
, who said that Lewis "wrings every last drop of emotion out of Gary Lightbody's lyrics, channeling her inner Mariah
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
for some almighty warbling at the crescendo". The Sentinel described the single as "so much better" than Snow Patrol's original song. "It's powerful, painful and the choir behind it takes it on to another level." Radio presenter James Daniels concurred, saying "Leona just takes it to a whole new level, which is a phrase I hate to use – but it's true".
Leona's version of "Run" was featured in "Fool Me Once", the fourteenth episode of the first season
The Vampire Diaries (season 1)
The Vampire Diaries is an American supernatural–fantasy horror television series created by Kevin Williamson based on the novels of the same name by author L. J. Smith. It was officially picked up for the 2009-10 season on May 19, 2009...
of The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries (TV series)
The Vampire Diaries is an American supernatural drama television series developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, based on the book series of the same name written by L. J. Smith. The series premiered on The CW Television Network on September 10, 2009, and is currently in its third season that...
.
Chart performance
The song reached number one on the Irish Singles ChartIrish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
in its first week of release, due to download sales alone. "Run" remained on the top position the four weeks in total. On 7 December 2008, it entered the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at number one, also on downloads alone, making it her 3rd number one. It had become the fastest-selling UK download ever after it sold 69,244 in just two days, a record it held until December 2009. By the end of the first week, download sales had reached 131,593, some eight thousand below the first week sales of "A Moment Like This"., except for the fact that her debut single sold over 500,000 in its first week. The single spent a second week at number one in the United Kingdom, before 2008's 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...
winner Alexandra Burke
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...
charted with "Hallelujah". "Run" re-entered The Official UK Top 40 at 32 on 15 March 2009.
The single has reached number one in Austria, Ireland and UK. Also, peaked at 45 at the year-end charts in the UK. On 8 October 2010 "Run" reached the German Top100 again, after having been performed by a 14-years-old contestant on Das Supertalent
Das Supertalent
Das Supertalent is the German talent show and part of the internationally successful Got Talent franchise, presented by Marco Schreyl, who was joined by Daniel Hartwich from the second season onwards...
. It placed at #9, its highest position so far. After another 4 weeks, the song reached an even higher position, jumping from No. 27 to No. 3. In March 2011, the single spent its 52nd week at No. 49 on the German Singles Chart, making it her first single to be on that chart for one year or longer, and the 41st single in general to do so.
Music video
The music video for "Run" was filmed in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and was directed by Jake Nava
Jake Nava
Jake Nava was born on 17 August and grew up in northern London. He currently lives in eastern London.He graduated from the University of WestministerJake Nava is an English-born music video and film director.-Filmography:MUSIC VIDEOS...
. Lewis herself described the setting of the video as "an enchanted, haunted forest. It's picking up on different elements of the song." The video starts out with Lewis alone on a dusty trail, seemingly lost. She enters a dark forest and appears to be stalked by the viewer. In the final chorus, Lewis draws in the sun and the forest literally lights up, matching the lyrics of the song.
Charts
| Chart (2008–2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Airplay Chart | 18 |
Year-End Charts
| Chart (2009) | Position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Singles Chart | 22 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
63 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 13 |
| Chart (2010) | Position |
| German Singles Chart | 38 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 73 |
Decade-End charts
| Chart (2000–2009) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Top 100 Songs of the Decade | 45 |
All-time charts
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Download Chart | 16 |
Certifications
| Region (provider) | Certifications |
|---|---|
| Austria (IFPI) | Gold |
| United Kingdom (BPI British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... ) |
Gold |
Personnel
- Writer: Gary LightbodyGary LightbodyGary Lightbody is an Northern Irish musician and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band Snow Patrol.- Early life :...
- String arrangement: Wil Malone
- Background vocals: Alani Gibbon, Beverley Brown, Carmen Reece, Chris Ballin, Jewell Elliott, Joy Malcolm, Ladonna Harley Peters, Lauraine Bristol, Lincoln Jean-Marie, Marvin Cotterell, Vula Malinger
- Bass: John Garrison
- Drums, percussion: Karl Brazil
- Engineer: Jonathan Shakhovskoy
- Guitar: Luke Potashnick
- Mixer: Jeremy Wheatley
- Organ: Paul Beard
- Piano: Steve Robson
- Producer: Steve Robson
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 14 November 2008 | Syco Music Syco Syco Entertainment, often known as simply Syco , is a global joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment focused on the production and exploitation of music, television, film and digital content... |
Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
| United Kingdom | 30 November 2008 | ||
| Germany | 12 December 2008 | Sony Music Sony Music Entertainment Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation.... |
Digital download, CD single CD single A CD single is a music single in the form of a standard size Compact Disc, not to be confused with the 3-inch CD single, which uses a smaller form factor. The format was introduced in the mid-1980s, but did not gain its place in the market until the early 1990s... |
| United States | 16 December 2008 | J Records J Records J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:... |
Digital download |
| Canada |
Other versions
- The song was covered by Jennylyn MercadoJennylyn MercadoJennylyn Mercado is a Filipina actress, singer, songwriter and model. She was the winner of the first season of StarStruck, a reality-based talent search show of GMA Network in the Philippines...
in 2010 and appears on the album Love Is.... - The song was covered by Tre LuxTré LuxTre Lux is the solo trip hop project of Tina Root, the vocalist of Switchblade Symphony.-A Strange Gathering:Her first full-length album, A Strange Gathering, was released September 19, 2006...
in 2006 and appears on the album A Strange Gathering. - The song was covered by the pop classical group the Three Graces in Italian underneath the title "Si Accendera" on their 2008 self titled debut album.
- The song was covered by Sarah EngelsSarah EngelsSarah Engels is a German singer. She currently resides in Hürth, North Rhine-Westphalia with her family...
in 2011 and appears on the album Heartbeat.