“Runaway” - 5 Things That You Didn’t Know

[kennethswain]

When I was a paper boy (1961) we’d play runaway in the Royal Castle jute box- thank for renewing that memory

[JefferyHagen]

My father ( 83) LOVED Del Shannon. He liked Hats Off To Larry too.

[MartysPopParty]

Great stuff. Didn’t know it was #1 in UK that long - Whoa. But then again, what a great record it is ….

[imkluu]

Did I hear that right? Number 1 for the entire year? That is incredible.

[MatthewPoplawsk]

VERY SAD to know that the reason he took his was that he thought people had forgotten about him. Had he taken the gig with the Traveling Wilburys, he might still be here.
God bless your memory and God rest your soul, Del Shannon.
This will upset some Del Shannon purists.
Check out the Bonnie Raitt cover on her album SWEET FORGIVENESS. I think Del would approve because IT ROCKS!!❤❤❤😊😊😊

[cindyspears]

I didn't realize I was only three years old when this song came out. So I literally have loved it my whole life😊
My teenaged mama used to sing along to it and dance around the house🥰

[thomasfoss]

Hey Trooper, Since Runaway charted so long in the UK, I wah wah wah wah wonder-- if-- Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues was influenced by this early "Musitron", who then excelled on the futuristic "Mellotron" in the later 60's???

[onefunkymonkey]

Sad to see that Dell Shannon faded into relative obscurity following this song. He has some other great songs that don’t get much air time.

[glennso]

Dion has a great version of Runaway that was released more recently. I don’t remember the year.

[Mick_Ts_Chick]

Very interesting stuff GT. I love the song but knew none of these. 🍻

[guarddave]

What a record! I bought it upon its release when I was 14. I once read that the keys were played by Paul Tesluk, organist for Johnny & the Hurricanes. I can't confirm, but they recorded for the same label.

[appledoreman]

Thanks for this. Not sure I correctly understand your assertion that it was No.1 for the entire year of 1961 in UK. I believe the record length of time any single stayed at No.1 here is 'Everything I do' by Bryan Adams (19 weeks).

[Foul_Quince]

6 weeks at #1 in the ol' hometown!

[dgrblue]

This song was far more popular than I realized

[KarmaMechanic]

It's a great song for letting my girlfriend play along with me on the piano. I just tell her play any black notes you like and you can't go wrong.