1984Released
3:50

Did You Know?

Interesting facts and trivia about Runaway. By Songfacts®.

"Runaway" was the first hit for Bon Jovi. Jon Bon Jovi wrote it in 1982 with his early collaborator, George Karak, and it gained popularity in the band's home state of New Jersey. Despite the success of the song, the band continued to struggle. They were a popular live act, but didn't make much money until they released their Slippery When Wet album two years later.

This song tells the story of a young girl who gets so little attention from her parents that she runs away from home and lives on the streets, doing what she can to survive. Jon Bon Jovi would often take a Greyhound bus from New Jersey into Manhattan, where he saw many young people trying to get away in desperation. These are the people who inspired the song.

Jon Bon Jovi recorded "Runaway" with studio musicians because he didn't have a band yet. On guitar was Tim Pierce, whose work can be heard on albums by Rod Stewart, Demi Lovato, Joe Cocker and many others. Roy Bittan of Bruce Springsteen's E Street band played keyboards and Frankie La Rocka on drums. On bass was Hugh McDonald, who played on Bon Jovi's early albums and replaced Alec John Such as Bon Jovi's bass player in 1994. McDonald, though, was not considered an official member of the band.

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Song Analysis

Key, BPM (tempo) and time signature of Runaway.
AKey
MinorMode
4/4Time Signature
152BPM

Album

The album Runaway is released on.

Released By

The record label that has released Runaway.
Island Records
© 1984 The Island Def Jam Music Group
℗ 1984 UMG Recordings, Inc.

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