WHAT is going on with this MONSTER hit from 1961?!

Tonight we're taking a look at a classic! It's Del Shannon performing 'Runaway' back in 1987!
TIME STAMPS -
0:00 Intro
0:40 Performance
3:14 Analysis
4:00 Reinforced Falsetto?
5:23 It’s Not Hitting the Note, it’s HOW!
6:36 ...or Head Voice?!
8:44 Chord Progression
10:36 1961 Release
14:04 Change in Vocal Expression
16:07 What’s Going On?!

[wandaburnsworth]

This song was a classic from day one! His voice is so smooth. He was an awesome singer. You could tell he put his heart into it❤

[drewpall]

I love that Tom Petty give a nod to Del Shannon
and his song "Runaway" in his 1989 song
"Runnin' Down a Dream" in the opening lines.

It was a beautiful day, sun beat down
I had the radio on, I was driving
Trees went by, me and Del were singing
Little runaway, I was flying

Such a tragic end to a one of Rock N' Roll
legendary singer song writer musician.

[tonymak]

I was in a physio clinic a short while ago, ( I live in the Canary isles), and this song came on the music system. A middle aged Spanish guy, came over to ask the physio who the artist was. Never heard it before, obviously thought it was fantastic.

How blessed we are, to have grown up and lived to consider this music was our world and birthright.

[jimgreen]

So sorry that instead of joining the Travelling Wilburys or looking for other avenues, Del took his own life. Fil, your detailed and appreciative look at his voice, decidedly not from a fanboy perspective, gives all of us Del admirers even more understanding of what we admire. Thanks.

[Knards]

This song was so massive in 1961 people would drive off the road to listen to it. Along with Keep Searchin(Follow the sun). He was a huge singer. Look up the original single of this song just for the pure enjoyment of what we heard way back then.

[lawrencehaw]

Super to hear yet another Michigan artist! The home of Rock & Roll!

[donnatregaro]

Thank you for this wonderful analysis of Del. Not only was he a terrific singer and musician - he was a great man. His family were great friends of our family. Just reconnected with his ex-wife, Shirley and her two living children after 50 years! What a delight it has been these past few weeks. ❤

[anthonyryan]

I met this wonderful man in 1973 in the Zetland Hotel in Saltburn...we went into the hotel lounge and he entertained me...very great man

[christophertaylor]

Such a great song, Del Shannon was amazing, very underrated. I loved it when this was used for the theme to the Crime Story TV series. When the Traveling Wilburies picked him to replace Roy Orbison I was so happy but sadly :(

[annmills]

I watched a documentary about him a while back and never knew what a huge influence he was to rock music and some very famous musicians. His childhood home is a couple of miles down the street from where my sister now lives.

[JackieApril]

This is so great, Fil! What a great video of him being on Letterman.
Love both this and it's original black&white recording! 💞

[daveyvane]

Del has a huge recording catalog of albums and singles.

My favorite is his rendition of Burt Bacharach “The Answer to Everything”

[Polyphemus]

I've loved Del, and bought his records all through the years. Such a tragic way to leave the planet, but he knew what he had to do. I sang this song (playing the instrumental lead on my guitar) in every show my little (mostly cover) band did for about 9 years, and it was ALWAYS a sure dance floor filler. The last time I sang it, as a guest with a (much younger) friend's band, I introduced it with a cry for help from the audience on the highest bits. Everyone joined in. He recorded a much slower version in 1967 (uncharted in the US) with a few extra vocal inflections, which I added to my cover of his original hit. *sigh* I love your channel, Fil. It always lifts me a bit to see younger people appreciating the music of my life. Do you know his 'Keep Searchin' (Follow the Sun)? Another one that deserves some attention.

[Yesica]

I love this song! And it's always enjoyable to see the performers having a good time as well!

[davidmiller]

here is a fact for people, This song is the beginning of Electronic music as a genre. The synth in this song was wayyyy ahead of its time.

[lindamcnelis]

Fil, you always amaze me how you can duplicate so many voice sounds of gifted, talented artists. Your analyses are spot on. Del sang effortlessly and so spot on. Sadly, as do many artists of his caliber, he committed suicide at the age of 55. 😢. I love your singing of these very gifted artists. You rock ❤
Can you analyze “Last Good Day of the Year” Liam
McKahey’s voice from CousteauX

[daverigby]

I'm old enough to remember when this was first released in the UK At the time it certainly stood out from a lot of the other stuff in the charts. Thid was pre- Beatles and Stones and all the decent music seemed to come from the States. That's a clever switch, from Am to A, when the line is ' I'm walking in the rain ' Would expect it to be the reverse. Music eh ? There's always something new to learn. Keep it up jeune homme

[dee]

I still play this song, great video ❤😘

[steveknight]

I really loved this when I was young. Actually, still love it. I had always thought that the keyboard (which I thought was fantastic) was a melotron, but it is actually a Musitron. It was a wonderful sound, and it really help make that song special. Later recordings, with some other keyboard, don't capture the magic of the Musitron at all well.

[ARWest-bpyb]

Del was one of the all time greats, keeping it real in the early 60s, and your analysis makes us appreciate him even more. Thanks Fil!👍👍🤘🤘