After an unsuccessful first single, the group were signed to Laurie Records. Their breakthrough came when "I Wonder Why" made # 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the group appeared for the first time on the Dick Clark TV show. They followed it with the ballads "No One Knows" (#19) and "Don't Pity Me" (#40).
This success won Dion and the Belmonts their first major tour in late 1958, with The Coasters, Buddy Holly and Bobby Darin, and this was followed up by the "Winter Dance Party" tour with Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. On 2 February 1959, after playing at Clear Lake, Iowa, Dion decided that he could not afford the $36 cost of a flight to the next venue. The plane crashed, and Holly and the other stars were killed. However, the tour continued, with Jimmy Clanton and Bobby Vee being added to the bill.
In March 1959, Dion and the Belmonts’ next single, "A Teenager in Love", was released, making #5 in the Billboard Hot 100 and #28 in the UK Singles Chart, and this was followed by an album, Presenting Dion and the Belmonts. Their biggest hit, "Where or When", was released in November 1959, and reached #3 on the U.S. chart.
However, in early 1960, Dion checked in to hospital for heroin addiction, a problem he had had since his mid-teens. Further single releases for the group that year were less successful, there were musical and financial disputes between Dion and members of the Belmonts, and in October 1960 Dion decided to quit for a solo career. The Belmonts also continued to release records, but with less success.
Dion and the Belmonts reunited in 1966 for the unsuccessful album Together Again on ABC Records, and again in 1972 for a one-off show at Madison Square Garden, recorded and released as a live album.
Runaround Sue
Dion & The Belmonts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's about a girl that I once knew
She took my love then ran around
With every single guy in town
Hey, hey
Whoa (bum de hey, de hey, de hey, hey)
Whoa (bum de hey, de hey, de hey, hey)
La, la, la, la
Whoa (hey, hey, bum de hey, de hey, de hey, hey)
(Bum de hey, de hey, de hey, hey)
(Bum de hey, de hey, de hey)
(Ah)
Yeah, I should have known it from the very start
This girl'll leave me with a broken heart
Ah, listen people what I'm telling you
A keep away from a Runaround Sue, yeah
I might miss her lips and the smile on her face
The touch of our hand and this girl's warm embrace
So if you don't want to cry like I do
A keep away from a Runaround Sue
Whoa (hey, hey, bum de hey, de hey, de hey, hey)
Whoa (bum de hey, de hey, de hey, hey)
Whoa (bum de hey, de hey, de hey)
(Ah)
She likes to travel around, yeah
She'll love you and she'll put you down
Now people let me put you wise
Sue goes out with other guys
Here's the moral and the story from the guy who knows
I fell in love and my love still grows
Ask any fool that she ever knew, they'll say
Keep away from a Runaround Sue
Yeah, keep away from this girl
I know, know what she'll do
Keep away from Sue
(Ah)
She likes to travel around, yeah
She'll love you and she'll put you down
Now people let me put you wise
She goes out with other guys
Here's the moral and the story from that guy who knows
I fell in love and my love still grows
Ask any fool that she ever knew, they'll say
Keep away from a Runaround Sue, yeah
Stay away from that girl
Don't you know what she'll do now
Whoa (hey, bum de hey, de hey, de hey, hey)
Whoa (hey, hey)
"Runaround Sue" by Dion & The Belmonts is a song about a girl who played with the singer's heart by running around with other guys. The song is a warning to other guys to stay away from her. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the story: "Here's my story, it's sad but true; It's about a girl that I once knew; She took my love then ran around; With every single guy in town." The singer then advises anyone who wants to avoid getting their heartbroken like him to stay away from "Runaround Sue."
The song details the singer's personal experiences with "Runaround Sue," and he describes the pain he feels from her running around with other guys. He warns others to be careful and stay away from her, but he also admits that he can't seem to stay away himself. He cherishes the memories of their love, but the pain of her betrayal still lingers.
Overall, "Runaround Sue" is a classic rock and roll hit that tells a story of love, heartbreak, and the dangers of being with the wrong person. It remains a popular song to this day and is often played at parties and on the radio.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's my story, it's sad but true
The singer tells his audience that the story about to be conveyed is sad but real.
It's about a girl that I once knew
The story is about a girl that the singer used to know.
She took my love then ran around
The girl took the singer's love and proceeded to have relationships with other men.
With every single guy in town
The girl had relationships with every man in town.
Hey, hey
An exclamation used to express greeting or attract attention.
Whoa (bum de hey, de hey, de hey, hey)
An exclamation used to express astonishment.
Whoa (bum de hey, de hey, de hey, hey)
An exclamation used to express astonishment.
Whoa (bum de hey, de hey, de hey)
An exclamation used to express astonishment.
La, la, la, la
Nonsense sounds used in the song.
Yeah, I should have known it from the very start
The singer admits that he should have seen the girl's actions coming from the beginning.
This girl'll leave me with a broken heart
The girl's actions will lead to the singer's heartbreak.
Ah, listen people what I'm telling you
The singer requests his audience to pay attention to his warning.
A keep away from a Runaround Sue, yeah
The singer advises his audience to stay away from a girl like Runaround Sue.
I might miss her lips and the smile on her face
The singer acknowledges that he might miss the physical aspects of the relationship.
The touch of our hand and this girl's warm embrace
The singer acknowledges that he might miss the emotional aspects of the relationship.
So if you don't want to cry like I do
The singer warns his audience that they will experience the same heartbreak if they don't listen to his advice.
A keep away from a Runaround Sue
The singer reiterates his advice to stay away from girls like Runaround Sue.
She likes to travel around, yeah
The girl likes to move from one relationship to another.
She'll love you and she'll put you down
The girl will treat you well but then discard you for someone else.
Now people let me put you wise
The singer attempts to give his audience some useful advice.
Sue goes out with other guys
The girl named Sue sees other men despite being in a relationship with the singer.
Here's the moral and the story from the guy who knows
The singer claims that he is experienced enough to give advice on such matters.
I fell in love and my love still grows
Although the singer has been heartbroken, he still has feelings for the girl.
Ask any fool that she ever knew, they'll say
According to the singer, everyone who knew the girl will warn you about her actions.
Keep away from a Runaround Sue
The singer reiterates his advice to stay away from girls like Runaround Sue.
Stay away from that girl
The singer instructs his audience to distance themselves from the girl named Sue.
Don't you know what she'll do now
The singer insists that his audience knows what the girl's actions will lead to.
Whoa (hey, bum de hey, de hey, de hey, hey)
An exclamation used to express astonishment.
Whoa (hey, hey)
An exclamation used to express astonishment.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dion Di Mucci, Ernie Maresca
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind