"Runaway" | ||||
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Single by Thompson Twins | ||||
from the album Set | ||||
B-side | "Open Your Eye" | |||
Released | 14 May 1982 | |||
Length | 3:13 | |||
Label | T Records | |||
Songwriter(s) | Tom Bailey | |||
Producer(s) | Steve Lillywhite | |||
Thompson Twins singles chronology | ||||
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"Runaway" is a song by the British pop band Thompson Twins, released by T Records on 14 May 1982 as the second and final single from their second studio album, Set . The song was written by Tom Bailey and produced by Steve Lillywhite.
The release of "Runaway" as a single from the band's album Set shortly followed a major change to the Thompson Twins line-up, as the seven piece band was reduced down to the trio of Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie and Joe Leeway. As a result, "Runaway" was promoted by the trio. Bailey considered its release as a "kiss goodbye" to the old band and was reportedly much more excited about the upcoming recording of new material than the release of "Runaway" as a single, particularly as the song had been written a year ago at that point and was recorded by the old line-up. [1]
"Runaway" was released by T Records on 14 May 1982. [2] It failed to enter the UK Singles Chart, but did reach the unnumbered 'bubbling under' section for five consecutive weeks in June and July 1982, which would have been equivalent to a position between 76 and 100 at a time when the main charts covered the top 75. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] It also peaked at number 83 on the Record Business UK Top 100 Singles chart in June 1982. [8]
Upon its release as a single, reviews were largely negative. Fred Dellar of Smash Hits described "Runaway" as a "laboured jog-trot" which is "hardly representative of Set, the quite tasty album from which it is culled". He added, "Maybe the accompanying free live single will help shift a few extra copies. If not, the particular, Thomas Dolby-assisted 'Runaway' is likely to grind to a dead stop." [9] John Shearlaw of Record Mirror remarked, "Another producer's special, this time giving a fairly ordinary album track a glossy mix, bringing Tom Dolby's persistent synth to the fore. But for the Thompson Twins it's the same old story; all influence and no substance. A pity." [10] Paul Morley, writing for NME , commented, "When I hear such a single, I am in the middle of the sandy wasteland, and I am thinking of Edvard Munch's famous (scream) painting." [11] Wattie Buchan, as guest reviewer for Melody Maker , called it "the worst out of all the singles I've reviewed" and added, "The title is appropriate. Play this once and you do want to run away." [12]
7–inch single (UK and Europe) [13] [14]
7–inch single with free limited edition live single (UK) [15]
12–inch single (UK) [16]
12–inch single (Europe) [17]
Thompson Twins
Additional musicians
Production
Other
Chart (1982) | Peak position |
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UK Top 100 Singles ( Record Business ) [8] | 83 |
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