Runaway (Deee-Lite song)

Last updated

"Runaway"
Deee-Lite - Runaway single cover.jpeg
Single by Deee-Lite
from the album Infinity Within
B-side "Rubber Lover"
ReleasedMay 28, 1992
Recorded1991
Genre House
Length3:54
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s)
  • Deee-Lite
Producer(s)
  • Deee-Lite
Deee-Lite singles chronology
"Power of Love"
(1991)
"Runaway"
(1992)
"Bring Me Your Love"
(1994)
Music video
"Runaway on YouTube

"Runaway" is a song recorded, written and produced by New York City-based group Deee-Lite, released on May 28, 1992 by Elektra Records as the lead single from their second studio album, Infinity Within (1992). It is the group's fourth single to top the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. [1] In Europe, the song was a top-10 hit in Greece and a top-20 hit in Finland, as well as peaking at number nine on the UK Dance Singles Chart and number 12 on the European Dance Radio Chart. The music video for "Runaway" was directed by American filmmaker and artist Gus Van Sant.

Contents

Critical reception

Heather Phares from AllMusic named the song one of her "Track Picks" from the Infinity Within album. [2] Larry Flick from Billboard noted that Lady Miss Kier "has evolved into a far more confident diva, while cohorts Super DJ Dmitry and Jungle DJ Towa Towa keep an ear to current sounds while maintaining a reverence for retro funk and disco." [3] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report felt it "stays in the uptempo groove with that House intensity that's sure to make it a club as well as radio favorite." [4] Melody Maker concluded that "Deee-Lite, along with C&C Music Factory, are still the most up-to-date mainstream American dance act". [5] A reviewer from Music & Media said, "During their absence another weird trio—Army of Lovers—took over the reins. But now the dance loonies are back, although not as odd ball as before and more mainstream." [6]

Alan Jones from Music Week stated, "Still looking outlandish, Deee-Lite slide closer to the dance mainstream with "Runaway", a hustling garage groover that sounds like it was mixed by either Steve Hurley or Joey Negro, though neither was actually involved." [7] Davydd Chong from the Record Mirror Dance Update described the song as "a reviving breath of fresh air", complimenting its "soothing keyboard riffs" and "candy-encased vocals". [8] Siân Pattenden from Smash Hits gave it five out of five and named it Best New Single, commenting, "They're back! With a stomping curlicue in the lustrous toupee of pop! Housey backbeat combined with chomping bass and swishy pingy sounds amongst Lady Miss Kier's vocals de gusto". [9] Joe Brown from The Washington Post felt that the "deceptively slight melodic hooks" of "Runaway" "prove infuriatingly tenacious." [10]

Track listing and formats

  1. "Runaway" (Sampladelic Radio Edit) – 3:52
  2. "Runaway" (Greyhound Extended Mix) – 5:40
  3. "Rubber Lover" (Skin Tight Mix) – 4:29
  4. "Runaway" (Masters at Work Dub) – 6:37

Charts

Chart (1992)Peak
position
Canada Top Singles (RPM) [11] 70
Europe (European Dance Radio) [12] 12
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [13] 15
Greece (IFPI) [14] 10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [15] 25
UK Singles (OCC) [16] 45
UK Dance ( Music Week ) [17] 9
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard )1

Related Research Articles

Deee-Lite was an American house and dance music group formed in New York City. The group's single "Groove Is in the Heart," which was released in 1990 from their debut studio album, World Clique (1990), was a top-ten hit in multiple countries. In December 2016, Billboard ranked them as the 55th most successful dance artists of all time.

<i>Infinity Within</i> 1992 studio album by Deee-Lite

Infinity Within is the second studio album by American house and club/dance group Deee-Lite. Released in 1992 on Elektra, the second album, through its lyrical content, instrumentation, and overall tone, showcases the band's political activism as a more literal part of the music than on their debut album, World Clique (1990).

<i>World Clique</i> 1990 studio album by Deee-Lite

World Clique is the debut album by American dance music band Deee-Lite, which was released in 1990. The album's first single, "Groove Is in the Heart", was a top-five success on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart as well as a No. 1 hit on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart. Three subsequent singles also hit the top ten on the U.S. dance chart, including "Power of Love/Build That Bridge", which also hit No. 1, and "Good Beat".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Groove Is in the Heart</span> 1990 single by Deee-Lite

"Groove Is in the Heart" is a song by American dance band Deee-Lite, released in August 1990 by Elektra as their debut and lead single from their first album, World Clique (1990). Written and produced by the band, it was a hit in many countries, reaching number-one in Australia and on both the Canadian RPM and US Billboard dance charts. Today it is widely recognized as a classic of its genre. It was accompanied with a psychedelic 60s-themed music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Name Is Prince</span> 1992 single by Prince and the New Power Generation

"My Name Is Prince" is a song by American musician Prince and his backing band the New Power Generation, released in September 1992 by Paisley Park and Warner Bros. as the second single from their 1992 Love Symbol album. The song is about Prince himself and his musical prowess. The rap sequence is performed by NPG member Tony M. The intro to the song features vocal samples from Prince's earlier songs "I Wanna Be Your Lover", "Partyup", and "Controversy". Its music video was directed by Parris Patton and featured Kirstie Alley and Lauren Green.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Miss Kier</span> American musician (born 1963)

Kierin Magenta Kirby, known professionally as Lady Miss Kier, is an American singer, songwriter and DJ. Lady Miss Kier was the vocalist for the band Deee-Lite. She supports causes such as LGBTQ rights, women's rights, human rights, the environmental movement, the anti-war movement and the get out the vote movement.

<i>Dewdrops in the Garden</i> 1994 studio album by Deee-Lite

Dewdrops in the Garden is the third and final studio album by American dance music band Deee-Lite, released in August 1994 via Elektra Records. The album saw the group move away from the overtly political lyrical content of the previous album, shifting into themes of dance and intimacy with a heavier lean into psychedelic music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runaway Love (En Vogue song)</span> 1993 single by En Vogue

"Runaway Love" is a song by American R&B/pop group En Vogue, released in September 1993 by EastWest as the first single from the group's extended play (EP) Runaway Love. After the huge success of their second album, Funky Divas (1992), the single was released. It was written and produced by Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster. Group members Cindy Herron and Terry Ellis share lead vocals, Dawn Robinson leads on the bridge, and spoken intro is by Maxine Jones. Elroy and Foster contributed vocals and spoken rap, their known as the alias FMob group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Go Away (Gloria Estefan song)</span> 1993 single by Gloria Estefan

"Go Away" is a song by Cuban American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan. It was released in April 1993 as the fourth and last single worldwide and third to the United States from her fourth solo album and second compilation, Greatest Hits (1992). The song is much in the style of Estefan's earlier songs with the Miami Sound Machine. It was a club hit throughout Europe and America and was featured in the 1993 film Made in America, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson, and its soundtrack. It reached the UK Top 20 and US Dance Chart Top 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only with You (Captain Hollywood Project song)</span> 1992 single by Captain Hollywood Project

"Only With You" is a song recorded by German musician known under the pseudonym of Captain Hollywood Project. It was released in December 1992 as the second single from his debut album, Love Is Not Sex (1993). The single features vocals by German singer Nina Gerhard and was successful on the charts, peaking within the top 10 in at least 12 countries, and reaching number two in both Finland and Portugal. It was released at the end of 1992 and several remixes were also added on a new CD maxi two months after.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strike It Up</span> 1991 single by Black Box

"Strike It Up" is a song by Italian music group Black Box. It was the fifth single from their debut studio album, Dreamland (1990), and was released on 6 February 1991 in many countries worldwide. The single was a success on many charts, including the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, where it peaked at number eight. It also topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in June 1991 for one week. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart. "Strike It Up" also was a top-10 hit in Denmark, Greece, Ireland, and the Netherlands. And on the Eurochart Hot 100, the track reached number 38.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When You Made the Mountain</span> 1994 single by Opus III

"When You Made the Mountain" is an "environmentally themed" electronica/dance song recorded by English electronic music group Opus III with vocals by Kirsty Hawkshaw. It was released in 1994 as the lead single from their second album, Guru Mother (1994), and received positive reviews from music critics. The track got as far as number 75 on the UK Singles Chart, but it would go all the way to number-one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, giving the act their second and final chart-topper in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)</span> 1991 single by Rozalla

"Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)" is a song by Zambian-born Zimbabwean singer Rozalla, released in August 1991 as the second single from her second album, Everybody's Free (1992). It had been a staple in the clubs in Ibiza and Mallorca in the summer of 1991, and hordes of recovering ravers were delighted to find "that tune about being free to feel good and stuff" was available to buy back home. Upon its release, the song reached number two in Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, while entering the top 10 in Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the single reached number six, and in Zimbabwe, it peaked at number four. It also topped the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Several music videos have been made to promote the song. It is widely regarded as one of the biggest dance anthems of the 1990s and it has been remixed and re-released several times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power of Love (Deee-Lite song)</span> 1990 single by Deee-Lite

"Power of Love" is a song recorded, written and produced by New York City–based house and dance music group Deee-Lite. It was released in 1990 as the second single from their debut album, World Clique (1990). Overseas, it peaked at number 19 in New Zealand, number 21 in Ireland and number 25 in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the single went to number 54 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the Dance Club Songs chart, "Power of Love" was the group's second number-one hit, where it remained at the top for two weeks. The vocals from the single would be used in another single that also reached number-one on the Dance Club Songs chart in 1991, "Deep in My Heart" by Club House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love U More</span> 1992 single by Sunscreem

"Love U More" is a song by British techno group Sunscreem, released as a single in July 1992. It was written by band members Paul Carnell and lead singer Lucia Holm. The single is a track off the group's 1993 album O3 and was one of the first techno songs to make the American top 40, where it peaked at No. 36. "Love U More" reached No. 23 in the United Kingdom in July 1992 and went to number one on the American dance chart for two weeks in March 1993, making it their first of three number-one hits there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bring Me Your Love (song)</span> 1994 promotional single by Deee-Lite

"Bring Me Your Love" is a song recorded and produced by American-based group Deee-Lite, which was released in May 1994 by Elektra Records as the second single of their third and final studio album, Dewdrops in the Garden (1994). The single was issued as a 12-inch white vinyl and sampled "The Children's Song" by Eddie Harris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy X</span> 1992 single by Neneh Cherry

"Buddy X" is a song by Swedish musician Neneh Cherry, released in 1993 by Circa and Virgin as the third and final single from her second album, Homebrew (1992). Co-written and co-produced by Cherry, it was a top-40 hit in both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, peaking at numbers 23 and 35, respectively. The song also charted in the United States, reaching No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100, and in Canada, where it reached No. 28 on the RPM Top Singles chart. Additionally, it was a number two hit on the European Dance Radio Chart and a number four hit on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Its music video was directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willing to Forgive</span> 1994 single by Aretha Franklin

"Willing to Forgive" is a song by American singer-songwriter Aretha Franklin from her seventh compilation album, Greatest Hits: 1980–1994 (1994). It was released as the album's second single in May 1994 by Arista Records. Written and produced by Babyface and Daryl Simmons, it became a hit in the United States, reaching number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It also charted in the UK, reaching number 17. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Willing to Forgive" peaked at number 49 in July 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Kind of Love</span> 1992 single by Dina Carroll

"Special Kind of Love" is a song by British singer-songwriter Dina Carroll, released in September 1992 as the second single from her debut album, So Close (1993). The song was written and produced by American record producers, songwriters, and remixers Clivillés and Cole. Carroll was approached by them and invited to New York to become the first British artist to work with the producers. The song reached number 16 in the UK Singles Chart, number 26 in the Netherlands and number 60 in Germany. A music video was also produced to promote the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Close (Dina Carroll song)</span> 1992 single by Dina Carroll

"So Close" is a song by British singer Dina Carroll, released as the third single from her album by the same name (1993) in November 1992. Produced by Nigel Lowis, it peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart.

References

  1. "Deee-Lite Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  2. Phares, Heather. "Infinity Within AllMusic review". AllMusic . Retrieved January 14, 2006.
  3. Flick, Larry (June 6, 1992). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 68. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  4. Sholin, Dave (June 12, 1992). "Gavin Picks: Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report . p. 44. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  5. The Stud Brothers (June 6, 1992). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 29. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  6. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . June 20, 1992. p. 11. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  7. Jones, Alan (June 6, 1992). "Mainstream: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 6. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  8. Chong, Davydd (May 30, 1992). "DJ Directory: Deee-Lite" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  9. Pattenden, Siân (June 10, 1992). "New Singles: Best New Single". Smash Hits . p. 55. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  10. Brown, Joe (July 17, 1992). "Moving the Feet, Shaking the Mind". The Washington Post .
  11. "DEEE-LITE - RUNAWAY (SONG)". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  12. "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media . July 18, 1992. p. 16. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  13. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Deee-Lite". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 59. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  14. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 27. July 4, 1992. p. 24. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  15. "Deee-Lite - Runaway (song)". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  16. "Deee-Lite". Official Charts Company . Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  17. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . June 13, 1992. p. 18. Retrieved September 29, 2020.