Billboard #1 Hits: #49: “Runaway”- Del Shannon. April 24, 1961- #1 for 4 weeks. Released on Bigtop Records. Written by Del Shannon and Max Crook. Genre: Rock and Roll. Time:2:20. B-side:”Jody.” Grade: A+
Del Shannon born Charles Westover in Coopersville, Michigan in 1934- was one of the bright spots in early 60’s rock and roll- “Runaway” was his first Hot 100 single and it went all the way to #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and on the UK Singles chart.. He would have 17 Hot 100 hits in his career from 1961-81 with 9 making the Top 40. Rolling Stone Magazine placed “Runaway” at #472 on their 500 Greatest Songs Ever list.
slicethelife 
Do you know there is an annual Del Shannon Festival in Coopersville every year? Runaway is one of those songs that stands the test of time.
Runaway one of the great early 60’s songs before the British Invasion… Didn’t know they had a festival- that’s great.
It’s turned more into a big car show over the years. Coopersville is a dinky little town. It got somewhat bigger when a GM plant was built there, but GM left and now there’s a big dairy production plant in its place. Still, the main street is only a block long.
I wore the groves off this record and love Del Shannon. His tragic end was not a surprise as he had been depressed for years.
Great song and an underrated musician- very sad ending.
Big Sis used to play this to death! It still pops up in my head every once in awhile, inexplicably. I like it, though.
A single that is hard not to like!