Vol IV, Issue 22 – Runaway (01 Dec 2019)

For the love of rock

Vol IV, Issue 22 – Free for all (01 Dec 2019)

www.intheloveofrock.com 

Name of song– Runaway

Band – Jefferson Starship

Writer– N. Q. Dewey

Album- Earth

Release year– 1978

Peak chart positions

# 9 – Canada RPM Top Singles

# 12 – US Billboard Hot 100

# 13 – US Cash Box Top 100

# 37 – US Adult Contemporary

                                                       Runaway

One of the most important pioneers of sixties psychedelic sound, “Jefferson Airplane” had it all-the sound, the voice, the lyrics as well as the instruments. Although their potential may not have been fully realized, their contribution in shaping the last sixties hippie sound could never be undermined.

They originated in 1965 under the leadership of Marty Balin in San Francisco, and several line up changes occurred during the coming years. Their debut album “Jefferson Airplane Takes Off” in 1966, could not generate much interest, although the lyrics change from the record labels considering it provocative, did fuel up the interest among the rock fans. Presently, their debut album with the original lyrics is collector’s item now. Their second album “Surrealistic Pillow” in 1967, indeed became their break-through album. They literally gained surrealistic popularity “Surrealistic Pillow” and become the first band to gain international acclaim from San Francisco Bay area. Subsequently with too much of name, fame, drugs, sex and rock and roll, tensions started to build up within the band members, leading to several line-up changes during the following years. And soon, with different band members going their own ways, they finally transformed to “Jefferson Starship” in 1972.

“Jefferson Starship”, in comparison to “Jefferson Airplane”, was much more pop rock oriented and produced many successful albums in the seventies and eighties decade. They had ten gold or platinum selling studio albums and nine top 40 singles on the Billboard charts. They are still going strong, albeit with several line- up changes.

“Runaway” is one of their most well-known ballads, taken from their fourth album “Earth” in 1978. Written by NQ Dewey, this wonderful ballad may be one of their best romantic numbers. A pretty forward soft rock ballad, it has all the ingredients to soothe any rock fans ears, heart, mind as well as soul and trigger the memory. Marty Balin’s soothing tenor voice, Craig Chaquico’s soulfully melodious lead guitar, Paul Kantner’s rhythm guitar, Pete Sears’ quietly haunting bass and John Barbata’s soft drums, all conglomerate this soft rock number into a chillingly smooth ballad. A teenager’s woe of running away with his love, the song touches any listener of any age, any time!

“Jefferson Starship” may not be in the collection stores of many rock fans, but their contribution in shaping the psychedelic rock is phenomenal. With numerous wonderful songs, “Runaway” is one song which makes any rock fan fantasize into running away with his love forever!!!

Happy listening!!!

Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com 

Runaway

You don’t know how much I love you
But I love you like the sun
I’d like to put my arms around you
And run, run, run, run away
Let’s run, run, run, run away
Let’s run, run, run, run away

If you knew how much I miss you
I miss you more each day
I’d really like to come and see you
We could run, run, run, run away
Run, run, run, run away
Let’s run, run, run, run away

Summer’s comin’ and it’s getting warmer
Tell me spring is just around the corner
I’m sitting watchin’ all the flowers
Birds are singin’ getting louder and louder

Here I am, missin’ you,
Here I go, I’m lovin’ you

Run, run, run, run, runnin’, here I go I’m wanting you
Run, run, run, run, runnin’, here I go I’m needing you
Run, run, run, run, runnin’, here I go I’m loving you
Run, run, run, run, runnin’, run, run, run, run, run away

If you knew how much I need you
Oh and I need you like the air
If someone should take you from me
I would run, run, run, run away
I’d run, run, run, run away
Let’s run, run, run, run away

Summer’s comin’ and it’s getting warmer
Tell me spring is just around the corner
I’m sitting watchin’ all the flowers
Birds are singin’ getting louder and louder

Here I am, missin’ you
Here I go, I’m lovin’ you

Run, run, run, run, runnin’, here I go I’m wanting you
Run, run, run, run, runnin’, here I go I’m needing you
Run, run, run, run, runnin’, here I go I’m loving you
Run, run, run, run, runnin’, run, run, run, run, run away

You don’t know how much I love you
But I love you like the sun
I’d like to put my arms around you
We could run, run, run, run away
Come on, baby, let’s run, run, run, run away
Come on, baby, let’s run, run, run, run away

You don’t know how much I want you, run, run, run, run away
You don’t know how much I need you, run, run, run, run away
You don’t know how much I love you, run, run, run, run away
You don’t know how much I love you, run, run, run, run away
Really like to come and see you, run, run, run, run away
Really put my arms around you, run, run, run, run away
One more time, just one more time now, run, run, run, run away

Lyrics link- https://genius.com/Jefferson-starship-runaway-lyrics

Video link –https://youtu.be/ErwRHWXtjX0