Runaway (Bon Jovi song)
Encyclopedia
"Runaway" is a Bon Jovi
song, written in 1980 and originally recorded in 1981 for the so called "Power Station Demos". The recordings were primarily done by an ensemble simply known as Jon Bongiovi & The Rest. Lead guitar on the original 1980's track was Bon Jovi's neighbour, Dave Sabo
(a.k.a. The Snake), who would later form the group Skid Row. One night after a show, Richie Sambora
found Bon Jovi backstage and told him that he should be the guitarist. Bon Jovi wrote him off and did not think much of it but told him to learn the material and show up for rehearsal. Sambora was early and knew the material and Bon Jovi was impressed; in that moment, Sambora became the band's lead guitarist and Bon Jovi was born.
The track released in 1983 was recorded in 1982 by Jon Bon Jovi
and a group of studio musicians known as "The All Star Review", which included Hugh McDonald
(bass), Tim Pierce (guitar) and Roy Bittan
(keyboards). The keyboard intro was written by Mick Seeley, then of John Bongiovi and the Wild One's and later with Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
.
In 1983, local radio station WAPP
103.5FM "The Apple" had a contest, held in conjunction with St. John's University
, to search for the best unsigned band. After the song won the contest, it became an instant hit in the summer of 1983.
Runaway was later released as the first song from their debut album Bon Jovi
in 1984. It hit the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100
at #39 in early 1984 and became the band's first Top 40 hit in US. It should also be noted that, up until The Circle Tour
in 2010, Runaway was the only song from the bands' first two albums that was still performed live. In recent live performances, frontman and occasional rhythm guitarist Jon Bon Jovi has been known to do a short guitar solo
near the end of the song instead of hitting the usual high notes at the end, something only done in the 1980s. Although on the live album One Wild Night: Live 1985-2001, it features Jon Bon Jovi hitting the high notes at the end of the song.
A dance/club remake of "Runaway" was released in July 2008 by "DJ Freddy Retro featuring Jim Davis Jr." on Casa Records.
The song was featured on a MasterCard
television commercial and in the movie Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
song, written in 1980 and originally recorded in 1981 for the so called "Power Station Demos". The recordings were primarily done by an ensemble simply known as Jon Bongiovi & The Rest. Lead guitar on the original 1980's track was Bon Jovi's neighbour, Dave Sabo
Dave Sabo
David Michael Sabo, nicknamed "The Snake," is a rock guitarist who plays in the heavy metal band Skid Row. He is co-guitarist with guitarist Scotti Hill.-Biography:...
(a.k.a. The Snake), who would later form the group Skid Row. One night after a show, Richie Sambora
Richie Sambora
Richard Stephen "Richie" Sambora is an American rock guitarist, producer, musician, singer, and songwriter who is the longtime lead guitarist of the rock band, Bon Jovi. He and frontman Jon Bon Jovi form the primary songwriting unit of the band...
found Bon Jovi backstage and told him that he should be the guitarist. Bon Jovi wrote him off and did not think much of it but told him to learn the material and show up for rehearsal. Sambora was early and knew the material and Bon Jovi was impressed; in that moment, Sambora became the band's lead guitarist and Bon Jovi was born.
The track released in 1983 was recorded in 1982 by Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the founder, occasional rhythm guitarist, and lead singer of rock band Bon Jovi, which was named after him...
and a group of studio musicians known as "The All Star Review", which included Hugh McDonald
Hugh McDonald (musician)
Hugh "Huge" McDonald is a well known session musician and bassist. Before joining Bon Jovi he was the bass player for the David Bromberg Band, touring extensively worldwide and playing on many Bromberg albums...
(bass), Tim Pierce (guitar) and Roy Bittan
Roy Bittan
Roy Bittan is an American keyboardist, best known as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, which he joined on August 23, 1974...
(keyboards). The keyboard intro was written by Mick Seeley, then of John Bongiovi and the Wild One's and later with Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes are a Jersey Shore musical group led by Southside Johnny. They have been recording albums since 1976 and are closely associated with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. They have recorded and/or performed several Springsteen songs, including "The Fever" and...
.
In 1983, local radio station WAPP
WKTU
WKTU is a radio station based in New York City that plays an upbeat, gold-based CHR format. The station's broadcast transmitter is located on the top of the Empire State Building and its city of license is Lake Success, New York, with offices formerly in the "Newport" section of Jersey City, New...
103.5FM "The Apple" had a contest, held in conjunction with St. John's University
St. John's University (New York City)
St. John's University is a private, Roman Catholic, coeducational university located in New York City, United States. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1870, the school was originally located in the borough of Brooklyn in the neighborhood of Bedford–Stuyvesant...
, to search for the best unsigned band. After the song won the contest, it became an instant hit in the summer of 1983.
Runaway was later released as the first song from their debut album Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi (album)
Bon Jovi is the debut album from American rock band Bon Jovi, released January 21, 1984. Produced by Tony Bongiovi and Lance Quinn, the album is significant for being the only Bon Jovi album on which a song appears that was not written or co-written by members of the band...
in 1984. It hit the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100
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...
at #39 in early 1984 and became the band's first Top 40 hit in US. It should also be noted that, up until The Circle Tour
The Circle Tour
The Circle Tour is a worldwide concert tour by American rock band Bon Jovi. The arena leg of the tour has finished and the stadium run has begun, starting off in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and then heading to East Rutherford, New Jersey for the grand opening of New Meadowlands Stadium...
in 2010, Runaway was the only song from the bands' first two albums that was still performed live. In recent live performances, frontman and occasional rhythm guitarist Jon Bon Jovi has been known to do a short guitar solo
Guitar solo
In popular music, a guitar solo is a melodic passage, section, or entire piece of music written for an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar. Guitar solos, which often contain varying degrees of improvisation, are used in many styles of popular music such as blues, jazz, rock and metal styles such...
near the end of the song instead of hitting the usual high notes at the end, something only done in the 1980s. Although on the live album One Wild Night: Live 1985-2001, it features Jon Bon Jovi hitting the high notes at the end of the song.
A dance/club remake of "Runaway" was released in July 2008 by "DJ Freddy Retro featuring Jim Davis Jr." on Casa Records.
The song was featured on a MasterCard
MasterCard
Mastercard Incorporated or MasterCard Worldwide is an American multinational financial services corporation with its headquarters in the MasterCard International Global Headquarters, Purchase, Harrison, New York, United States...
television commercial and in the movie Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
Covers & samples
Rapper Tru-NC released an updated hip-hop version of the song in 2011 with the same title. It tells a story about "Tommy & Gina" getting evicted from their apartment. The song is available to download for free at Tru-NC's Reverbnation page. American rapper Immortal Technique samples the synthesizer in the track Young Lords from his album Martyr (2011).Chart performance
| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 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... |
39 |