Why Do You Run?

Last updated
"Why Do You Run?"
The Ward Brothers Why Do You Run 1987 single cover.jpg
Single by The Ward Brothers
from the album Madness of It All
Released1987
Length
  • 5:12 (album version)
  • 4:40 (single version)
Label Siren
A&M (US)
Songwriter(s) Graham Ward
Producer(s) Mike Howlett
The Ward Brothers singles chronology
"Cross That Bridge"
(1986)		"Why Do You Run?"
(1987)		"I Trusted You"
(1987)

"Why Do You Run?" is a song by British pop-rock band the Ward Brothers, which was released in 1987 as the third single from their debut studio album Madness of It All . The song was written by Graham Ward and produced by Mike Howlett. As the follow-up to the band's UK Top 40 hit "Cross That Bridge", "Why Do You Run?" reached No. 81 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 100 for two weeks. [1]

Contents

The song's music video was directed by Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton. [2] "Why Do You Run?" was also featured in the 1987 American buddy cop action comedy film Stakeout . [3]

Critical reception

On its release, Music & Media picked the song as one of their "sure hits" in March 1987. They commented on the song's "good hook" and added that it was "convincingly sung". [4] Bobby Lynch of The Kerryman wrote, "Hot on the heels of "Cross That Bridge", the Ward Brothers have made a real stomper that needs the attention of day time radio right now. A grower." [5] John Lee of the Huddersfield Daily Examiner felt the song could "hardly be described as a blockbuster", but noted the "neat melody" and "nasal guitar sound". He described it as a "definite improvement" over the band's previous single "Cross That Bridge" which he wasn't "overly-impressed" by. [6]

James Grant, as guest reviewer for Record Mirror , considered it to be a "fifth rate bastard son" of Bruce Springsteen's 1984 song "Downbound Train". He felt the song "tries to give a passionate impression and fails miserably". [7] In the US, Billboard listed the single under "new and noteworthy" and described the track as a "midtempo rocker" and "convincing U.S. debut", with "ringing guitars, earnest vocal [and] firm melody". [8]

Track listing

7" single
  1. "Why Do You Run?" - 4:40
  2. "Madness of It All (Was Once and Still Is)" (Instrumental Version) - 5:14
7" single (US promo)
  1. "Why Do You Run?" - 4:40
  2. "Why Do You Run?" - 4:40
12" single
  1. "Why Do You Run?" (US Mix) - 5:20
  2. "Don't Talk to Strangers" (Summerlane Walkman Mix) - 5:32
  3. "Madness of It All" (Instrumental) - 5:14
12" single (UK #2)
  1. "Why Do You Run?" (Krypt Kickers Mix) - 8:24
  2. "Why Do You Run?" - 4:40
  3. "Madness of It All (Was Once and Still Is)" (Instrumental Version) - 5:14
CD single
  1. "Why Do You Run?" (7" Version) - 4:40
  2. "Why Do You Run?" (12" Re-mix) - 8:24
  3. "Don't Talk to Strangers" (Instrumental) - 5:32
  4. "Madness of It All" (Instrumental) - 5:14

Personnel

The Ward Brothers

Additional musicians

Production

Other

Charts

Chart (1987)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart [1] 81

References

  1. 1 2 "WARD BROTHERS | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  2. ↑ "New Videoclips". Billboard. 9 May 1987. p. 43.
  3. ↑ "AFI|Catalog".
  4. ↑ "M&M Euro Tip Page". Music & Media. 21 March 1987. p. 17.
  5. ↑ Lynch, Bobby (20 March 1987). "Single preview". The Kerryman.
  6. ↑ Lee, John (7 March 1987). "Reviews: Singles". Huddersfield Daily Examiner . p. 14.
  7. ↑ Grant, James (25 April 1987). "Singles". Record Mirror . p. 10. ISSN   0144-5804.
  8. ↑ "Reviews: Singles". Billboard. 18 April 1987. p. 71.
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