Runaway
Del Shannon Lyrics


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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 thing's we've done
Together, while our hearts were young
I'm a-walkin' in the rain
Tears are fallin' and I feel a pain
A-wishin' you were here by me
To end this misery

And I wonder, I wo-wo-wo-wo-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 a pain
A-wishin' you were here by me
To end this misery

And I wonder, I wo-wo-wo-wo-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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Del Shannon's song "Runaway" are about a man who is walking in the rain, reminiscing about a lost love. He wonders what went wrong with their relationship, as they had a love that was once so strong. As he continues to walk, he thinks of the memories they shared together when they were young and their hearts were full of love. The man is in pain as he wishes his lover was with him to end the misery he is feeling.


The chorus of the song repeats the word "wonder," highlighting the man's confusion and desperation in trying to understand why his lover ran away. He wonders why she left and where she will go, as he refers to her as his "little runaway." The lyrics capture the heartbreak and longing of losing someone you love and the confusion that comes with it.


The song was written by Del Shannon and his keyboardist Max Crook, who also created the iconic keyboard instrument known as the Musitron, which is featured prominently in the song's intro. "Runaway" was released in 1961 and became a massive hit for Del Shannon, reaching #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It remains one of the most beloved and recognizable songs of the early 1960s.


Line by Line Meaning

As I walk along, I wonder
As I stroll down this path, I ponder


A-what went wrong with our love
What caused our once strong love to diminish?


A love that was so strong
Our love was once so robust


And as I still walk on
And as I continue down this path


I think of the thing's we've done
I reminisce about the experiences we shared


Together, while our hearts were young
Together, in the prime of our youth


I'm a-walkin' in the rain
I'm strolling in the rain


Tears are fallin' and I feel a pain
My tears pour as I experience anguish


A-wishin' you were here by me
I yearn for your presence beside me


To end this misery
So this torment may cease


And I wonder, I wo-wo-wo-wo-wonder
I contemplate, I wo-wo-wo-wo-wonder


Why, why-why-why-why-why
Why, why-why-why-why-why


She ran away
She fled


And I wonder where she will stay
I speculate where she'll shelter


My little runaway
My small absconder


A run-run-run-run-runaway
A runaway, who runs and runs and runs


A run-run-run-run-runaway
A runaway, who runs and runs and runs


A run-run-run-run-runaway
A runaway, who runs and runs and runs




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Del Shannon, Max D. Crook

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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David Cassells


on Runaway '67 (Fake Live Mono Version)

Doesn't seem to be the 'fake live' version

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