"Runaway" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson

Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...

 from her first greatest hits album, Design of a Decade 1986/1996

Design of a Decade 1986/1996

Most music reviewers had a positive reception to Design of a Decade, mainly because of the amount of chart-topping singles it contained, but many noted the "misleading title" as the content predominantly spanned a five-year period....

(1995). Written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an American R&B and pop-music songwriting and record production team...

, the track was released as the album's lead single

Lead single

A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...

 on August 29, 1995. It is one of the two previously unreleased songs added to the Design of a Decade 1986/1996 compilation.

Jackson has performed the song on several of her tours, including The Velvet Rope Tour

The Velvet Rope Tour

The Velvet Rope World Tour is the third concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson. Launched in support of her sixth studio album The Velvet Rope , the tour embarked on an international trek that included Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.Due to the fact...

, All for You Tour

All for You Tour

The All for You Tour was a worldwide concert tour in 2001 by American pop/R&B singer Janet Jackson in support of her multi-platinum album All for You...

, and Rock Witchu Tour

Rock Witchu Tour

The Rock Witchu Tour was the fifth concert tour by American singer-songwriter, Janet Jackson, in support of her tenth studio album Discipline. This was Jackson's first tour in nearly seven years. The tour visited North America...

. The song was also dedicated to Paris, France on her 2011 Number Ones: Up Close and Personal

Number Ones: Up Close and Personal

Number Ones: Up Close and Personal is the sixth concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson. Described as her "largest world tour", the show is in support of her second compilation album, Number Ones...

 tour.

Song information

"Runaway" blends hard pop

Pop music

Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...

-hip hop

Hip hop music

Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...

 beats with influences from African

Music of Africa

Africa is a vast continent and its regions and nations have distinct musical traditions. The music of North Africa for the most part has a different history from sub-Saharan African music traditions....

 and Asian music, and has a similar sound to her previous hits "Escapade

Escapade (song)

"Escapade" is the third single from American R&B and pop singer Janet Jackson's fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 .-Song information:...

" and "Whoops Now

Whoops Now/What'll I Do

"Whoops Now" and "What'll I Do" are songs by American singer Janet Jackson from her fifth studio album, janet. . They were released in January 1995 as the album's eighth and ninth single, respectively.-Song information:...

". Towards the end of the song, Jackson breaks the fourth wall

Fourth wall

The fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play...

 with the lyric, "Ooh, didn't quite hit the note/That wasn't such a good time". Africa

Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

, Nairobi

Nairobi

Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...

, Tuscany

Tuscany

Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

, Mexico

Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

, Spain

Spain

Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

, and Paris

Paris

Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...

 are mentioned in the song.

Chart performance

"Runaway" made Jackson the first female artist in Billboard

Billboard (magazine)

Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...

s history to debut in the top ten of 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...

, entering at number six in September 1995. It eventually peaked at number three. The song also reached the top spot in Canada, in addition to being a top ten hit in the United Kingdom and Australia and a moderate success in continental Europe, reaching the top 30 in most countries.

Music video

The music video

Music video

A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...

 for "Runaway" was directed by Marcus Nispel and choreographed by Tina Landon

Tina Landon

Tina Landon is an award-winning Mexican-American choreographer based in Los Angeles who has worked with Prince, Anastacia, Mýa, Pink, Jay-Z, Marc Anthony, Kristi Yamaguchi, Aerosmith, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Shakira, Pussycat Dolls, Tina...

 on August 27, 1995. It starts from in New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

 where Jackson is in her apartment. She walks in the living room and puts her dog on the floor. She climbs out the window and jumps out, landing on a telephone pole. Jackson travels around the world and visits many places such as Egypt, India, China, Africa, Brazil, Tuscany, Paris, Australia, and several other places. After her amazing trip, Jackson climbs back in her apartment to be greeted by her dog. The video and its production documentary appear exclusively on the Design of a Decade 1986/1996

Design of a Decade 1986/1996 (video)

Design of a Decade 1986-1996 is a video compilation released by American R&B/pop singer Janet Jackson.-Release information:Released on October 10, 1995, it was Jackson's second compilation of music videos produced under her then-label A&M Records...

video release.

Track listings

"Runaway" was released with "When I Think of You

When I Think of You

"When I Think of You" is the third single from Janet Jackson's third studio album, Control . Written by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and produced by Jam and Lewis, the song is about a person who finds relief and fun in a lover...

" as a double A-side in certain territories.

Runaway

U.S. double 12" promo single (AMPRO 00092)

1. G.Man's Hip Hop Mix featuring Coolio
   Coolio
   Artis Leon Ivey Jr. , better known by the stage name Coolio, is an American musician, rapper, actor and record producer.-Late 80s:He recorded two singles in the late 80s, titled "Watcha Gonna Do" and "You're Gonna Miss Me"...
   
    – 4:13
2. G.Man's Hip Hop Extended – 4:21
3. Silk's Old Skool Radio – 4:11
4. G.Man's Club Mix – 3:51
5. Kelly's Bump & Run Mix – 8:08
6. Kelly's Bump & Run Radio – 4:31
7. Silk's Old Skool 12" – 4:56
8. Torin's Chicago Underground – 4:34
9. Maestro's 95th & Ashland House Dub – 6:06
10. Steve "Silk" Hurley House Mix – 6:58
11. Jam & Lewis Street Mix Edit – 3:22
12. Jam & Lewis Ghetto Mix – 4:54
13. J.A.M. Session Mix – 3:39
14. Indasoul Mix – 3:38

U.S. promo CD single (AMSAD 00065)

1. G.Man's Hip Hop Mix featuring Coolio – 4:14
2. G.Man's Hip Hop Mix – 3:41
3. Silk's Old School Radio Mix (A/C Remix) – 4:11
4. Jam & Lewis Street Mix Edit – 3:22
5. J.A.M. Session Mix – 3:39
6. Jam & Lewis Ghetto Mix – 4:54
7. G.Man's Hip Hop Extended – 4:21
8. Indasoul Mix – 3:38
9. Kelly's Bump & Run Edit – 4:31
10. Junior's Unplugged Mix – 3:38
11. Steve "Silk" Hurley House Mix – 6:58
12. Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06

U.S. promo CD single (AMCDP00073)

1. LP version – 3:34

UK double 12" single (581 259-1)

1. Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06
2. Steve "Silk" Hurley House Mix – 6:58
3. Kelly's Bump & Run Mix – 8:08
4. Torin's Chicago Mix – 8:45
5. Junior's Unplugged Session – 3:30
6. The J.A.M. Session Mix – 3:41

UK CD maxi single (581 197-2) / Australian CD single (581197-2)

1. LP Version - 3:34
2. "When I Think of You" (David Morales
   David Morales
   David Morales is an internationally acclaimed Grammy-winning house music DJ and producer. In addition to his production and DJ work, Morales is one of the most prolific remixers of all time, transforming many pop music songs into club-friendly dance tracks...
   
    House Mix '95 7" UK Edit) – 3:30
3. "When I Think of You" (David Morales Classic Club Mix) – 6:55
4. "When I Think of You" (David Morales Jazzy Mix UK Edit) – 10:18

U.S. 12" single (31458 1225 1) / U.S. CD maxi single (31458 1211 2)

1. LP version – 3:34
2. Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06
3. "When I Think of You" (Extended Morales House Mix 95) – 7:41
4. "When I Think Of You" (Heller & Farley Project Mix) – 10:46
5. Junior's Unplugged Session – 3:30

Runaway/When I Think of You

UK double 12" promo single (12 AMPMDJ 025)

1. Junior
   Junior Vasquez
   Junior Vasquez, , is an American club DJ and remixer/producer.-Career:...
   
   's Factory Mix – 9:06
2. "When I Think of You" (Heller & Farley Project Mix) – 10:41
3. Junior's Factory Dub – 6:57
4. "When I Think of You" (Junior Trackhead Joint) – 7:08
5. Junior's Tribal Dub – 4:39

U.S. double 12" promo single (AMPRO 00083)

1. LP Version - 3:34
2. Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06
3. Junior's Tribal Dub – 4:40
4. Junior's Factory Dub – 6:57
5. Junior's Chant Mix – 9:20
6. "When I Think of You" (Classic Club Mix) – 6:56
7. "When I Think of You" (Extended Morales House Mix 95) – 7:41
8. "When I Think of You" (Crazy Love Mix) – 8:44
9. "When I Think of You" (Incredible Boss Dub) – 7:10
10. "When I Think of You" (Jazzy Mix) – 10:19
11. "When I Think of You" (Heller & Farley Project Mix) – 10:41
12. Junior's Unplugged Mix – 3:30

UK double 12" single (581 243-1)

1. Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06
2. Junior's Tribal Mix – 4:39
3. "When I Think of You" (Deep Dish Chocolate City Mix) – 9:35
4. "When I Think of You" (Deep Dish Quiet Storm Dub) – 7:50
5. "When I Think of You" (Dished Out Dub) – 11:30

UK 12" single (581 209-1)

1. LP Version - 3:34
2. "When I Think of You" (Heller & Farley Project Mix UK Edit) – 6:44
3. "When I Think of You" (David Morales House Mix '95 UK 12" Edit) – 6:17
4. "When I Think of You" (David Morales Crazy Love Mix UK Edit) – 7:09

U.S. CD single (AM581194) / Canadian CD single (31458 1194 2) / French CD single (581196.2) / Japanese 3" CD single (PODM-1057)

1. LP version – 3:34
2. "When I Think of You" (Extended Morales House Mix 95) – 7:41

Italian double 12" single (IMP 522)

1. Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06
2. Junior's Tribal Dub – 4:39
3. Steve "Silk" Hurley House Mix – 6:58
4. Torin's Radio Edit – 4:40
5. Junior's Factory Dub – 6:57
6. Junior's Factory Mix w/ Vocal Sample – 6:55
7. "When I Think of You" (Deep Dish Chocolate City Mix) – 9:35
8. "When I Think of You" (Deep Dish Quiet Storm Dub) – 7:50

Official remixes

• Album Version – 3:35
• Junior
  Junior Vasquez
  Junior Vasquez, , is an American club DJ and remixer/producer.-Career:...
  
  's Unplugged Mix – 3:39
• Junior's Factory Mix – 9:08
• Junior's Factory Dub – 6:57
• Junior's Chant Mix – 9:20
• Junior's Tribal Mix / Junior's Tribal Dub – 4:39
• Junior's Radio Mix – 3:42
• Jam & Lewis Ghetto Mix – 4:54
• Jam & Lewis Street Mix Edit – 3:23
• Jam & Lewis House Mix - 3:49
• Jam & Lewis Houseparty Mix - 3:58
• G. Man's Hip Hop Mix – 3:41
• G. Man's Hip Hop Mix w/ Rap featuring Coolio – 4:14
• G. Man's Hip Hop Extended Mix – 4:21
• G. Man's Club Mix – 3:51
• Silk's House Mix / Silk's Housy Mix – 6:54
• Silk's Old Skool Radio/A/C Remix – 4:11
• Silk's Old Skool 12" – 4:56
• Kelly's "Bump & Run" Edit – 4:31
• Kelly's "Bump & Run" Mix – 8:08
• Indasoul Mix – 3:38
• J.A.M. Sessions Mix – 3:39
• Torin's Chicago Mix – 8:45
• Torin's Chicago Underground – 4:34
• Maestro 95th & Ashland House Dub – 6:06

Peak positions

Chart (1995)	Peak position
Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...	8
Belgian Singles Chart Ultratop 50 Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995...  (Flanders)	41
Belgian Singles Chart Ultratop 40 Ultratop 40 singles, often just Ultratop 40, is the weekly chart of best-selling singles in Wallonia and Brussels Capital Region, the french-speaking parts of Belgium. Its equivalent covering the Flanders region is Ultratop 50. Both charts are produced and published by the Ultratop organization...  (Wallonia)	27
Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays....	1
Danish Singles Chart Tracklisten Tracklisten is a Danish top 40 record chart that is presented every Thursday midnight at .The weekly Danish Singles Chart also known as Track Top-40 combines the 40 best selling tracks from legal music downloads and the sales of music singles on either CD or vinyl...	17
Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting...	32
European Hot 100 Singles	35
Finnish Singles Chart	8
French Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry...	25
German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie...	39
Irish Singles Chart Irish 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...	10
New Zealand Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand...	3
Swedish Singles Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association ....	25
Swiss Singles Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75...	24
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 ...	6
U.S. 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...	3
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...	6
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	8
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...	7

End of year charts

End of year chart (1995)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	29
End of year chart (1996)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	84

Chart procession and succession