Del Shannon – Runaway

About The Song

Del Shannon Runaway Memories returns to the early years of rock-n-roll with the classic “Runaway” story. Few songs in popular music are so enduring and haunting as the 1961 No. 1 hit, “Runaway.” Written by Del Shannon and his keyboardist, Max Crook, it outlines in tear-streaked detail a guy who’s lost his girl.

Interestingly, the song wasn’t based on any high school experience or being dumped at a prom. Instead, Shannon found the inspiration in a minor chord progression on a ukulele, which later formed the basis of the iconic “Runaway.”

The lyrics unravel a poignant narrative of a man lamenting the loss of his lady love who has run away. Filled with emotion, these lyrics convey a story of heartbreak and despair, a universal sentiment that resonates with people who have experienced the pain of losing someone they love.

“As I walk along I wonder/What went wrong,” he begins the song and refers to a time when he was young.

The uncertainty of the opening line is soon replaced with gloom and despair as he sings, “I’m a-walkin’ in the rain / Tears are falling, and I feel the pain / Wishing you were here by me / To end this misery.” 

The girl, of course, has left him and years later may have been the basis for the song, and those classic Del Shannon vinyl record memories.

It topped the Billboard charts for four consecutive weeks, and Billboard ranked it as the No. 5 song for 1961.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H56qRqHfSRQ

Lyric

🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤

As I walk along, I wonder
A-what went wrong with our love
A love that was so strong

And as I still walk on, I think of
The things we’ve done together
While our hearts were young

I’m a-walkin’ in the rain
Tears are fallin’ and I feel the pain
Wishin’ you were here by me
To end this misery

I wonder
I wah-wah-wah-wah-wonder
Why
Why, why, why, why, why
She ran away

And I wonder
Where she will stay
My little runaway
A-run, run, run, run, runaway

I’m a-walkin’ in the rain
Tears are fallin’ and I feel the pain
Wishin’ you were here by me
To end this misery

And I wonder
I wah-wah-wah-wah-wonder
Why
Why, why, why, why, why
She ran away

And I wonder
Where she will stay
My little runaway
A-run, run, run, run, runaway
A-run, run, run, run, runaway
A-run, run, run, run, runaway