Houndmouth is a collaborative folk rock four-member band, formed in 2011 fr… Read Full Bio ↴Houndmouth is a collaborative folk rock four-member band, formed in 2011 from the lowland plains and farmlands of Indiana, USA. The band's lyrics emphasize their foolhardiness, and their soulful harmonies carry far. Houndmouth consists of Matt Myers (guitar, vocals), Katie Toupin (keyboard, vocals), Zak Appleby (bass, vocals) and Shane Cody(drums, vocals). Folk duo Katie Toupin and Matt Myers (formerly of the Saint James Hotel) joined up with Shane Cody (Riffraff Revival) and Zak Appleby to create a colossal electric sound with bouncy half-time beats, punchy guitar riffs, and a bit of facial hair. They performed at SXSW in 2012 to promote their self-titled EP, and then were signed up by Rough Trade Records. The band have appeared on several major television shows, including Letterman and Conan.
First Album - From the Hills Below the City (2013) - Houndmouth's first studio album "From the Hills Below the City" was release on June 3, 2013.
Second Album - Little Neon Limelight (2015) - The band's second studio album, "Little Neon Limelight" was released on March 17, 2015

Runaround Sue
Houndmouth Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here's my story, 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
Ah, I should have known it from the very start
This girl will leave me with a broken heart
Now listen people what I'm telling you
A-keep away from-a Runaround Sue

I miss her lips and the smile on her face
The touch of her hair and this girl's warm embrace
So if you don't wanna cry like I do
A-keep away from-a Runaround Sue

Ah, she likes to travel around
She'll love you but 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

She likes to travel around
She'll love you but 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

Overall Meaning

Houndmouth's "Runaround Sue" is about a girl who enjoys dating multiple men and leaving them with broken hearts. The song is written from the perspective of one of her previous lovers who is warning others to stay away from her. The singer is reminiscing about the memories he has of her, but ultimately realizes that the pain of being with her is not worth it. The lyrics are a warning to others to avoid falling into the same trap.

The chorus of "Runaround Sue" is particularly catchy and emphasizes the singer's warning to stay away from this woman. The song's verses describe the girl's behavior, painting a picture of someone who loves to travel and date multiple men. Despite this, the singer still has feelings for her and misses her lips and the touch of her hair. However, he knows that getting involved with her again will only lead to a broken heart.

Overall, "Runaround Sue" is a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of falling for someone whose intentions are not genuine.

Line by Line Meaning

Here's my story, sad but true
Let me tell you a true story that is unfortunate

It's about a girl that I once knew
The story is about a girl I knew in the past

She took my love then ran around
She cheated on me with other men after taking my love

With every single guy in town
She had affairs with every man in town

Ah, I should have known it from the very start
I should have realized this about her from the beginning

This girl will leave me with a broken heart
She will break my heart

Now listen people what I'm telling you
Listen to my advice

A-keep away from-a Runaround Sue
Stay away from women like Runaround Sue

I miss her lips and the smile on her face
I miss her kisses and her beautiful smile

The touch of her hair and this girl's warm embrace
I miss how her hair felt and her comforting hug

So if you don't wanna cry like I do
If you don't want to experience the same sadness as me

Ah, she likes to travel around
She enjoys traveling to different places

She'll love you but she'll put you down
She will treat you well but eventually hurt you

Now people let me put you wise
Let me give you some advice

Sue goes out with other guys
Sue has other relationships with men

Here's the moral and the story from the guy who knows
Here's the lesson from someone who experienced it

I fell in love and my love still grows
I fell in love with her despite her actions

Ask any fool that she ever knew, they'll say
Anyone who knew her will warn you

Keep away to-a Runaround Sue
Stay clear of women like Runaround Sue

Contributed by Nolan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@aisyahna11

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

(hey, hey) woah
(hey, hey) woah
(hey, hey) woah
(hey, hey) woah

yeah, i should have known it from the very start
this girl would leave me with a broken heart
now listen people what i’m telling you
a-keep away from-a runaround sue, yeah

i miss her lips and the smile on her face
the touch of her hand and this girl’s warm embrace
so if you don’t wanna cry like i do
a-keep away from-a runaround sue

(hey, hey) woah
(hey, hey) woah
(hey, hey) woah

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 in 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 tell ya
keep away from-a runaround sue

yyeah keep away from this girl
i don’t know what she’ll do
keep away from sue!

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 in 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 tell ya
a-keep away from-a runaround sue

stay away from that girl
don’t you know what she’ll do now
woah
woah
woah
keep away from that girl

All comments from YouTube:

@W_R_L_L_

9y↑110

I love that everyone sings, even the drummer.

@preszysrowinska3056

8y↑3

The Drummer is the best :D!

@thedrandmrcharlotteisom4231

Best voice there

@mikechiropolos3324

1y↑7

Rock and roll is alive and well; one of the best live bands ever

@Anthony-rz6uw

47w↑1

this is the first time ive come across you guys im 49years old seen loads of live gigs i love live music i love this song and you guys are FFFFFFkn awesome

@BonnTheBard

6y↑9

Nothing but respect for a band with 4 capable lead vocalists! Nice rendition of a tune my dad introduced me to many years ago!

@markhulce6124

3y↑5

This is the most enjoyable cover of one of my favorite songs. Houndmouth made this song rock.

@jasonfoussell923

cover?

@rickyticky9221

Dion

@nicholaswittenmyer1

5y↑21

The best Run Around Sue cover ever.

@theccpisaparasite8813

That would go to Del Shannon, but this version still kicks axe!

@KhandyCnylesojk

8y↑33

wooow I like this interpretation. And the Drummer has a good voice! ;-)

@ScipioAfricanus_Chris

5y↑30

This video made me realize how much I miss Katie Toupin in the band :(

@silvermetalsaga

You right

@MrAbolg

Why did she leave?

@ScipioAfricanus_Chris

@Andrew Bolger apparently she had a falling out with Matt.

@michaelradomir57

2y↑2

Best cover of run around sue ever, these guys and girls are awesome

@ACERAMGAD

5y↑6

This is the best cover of this song!

@ACERAMGAD

5y↑2

Now people let me put you wise
Sue goooooooooes out with other guys

@dogatwalmart9474

ACERAMGAD worst cover

@sidney3232

Just came back to this video for the first time in years. Exactly what I needed rn

@skyshrk04

8y↑12

Very well done guys! And damn, didn't y'all look like you were having a phenomenal time performing it! Well done!

@flaxsreviews5014

8y↑2

Everything about this is gold!

@cindywall852

5y↑1

Loved this tune when Dion came out with it and love this version.....BRAVO!!

@silvermetalsaga

4y↑1

How can you watch this and not smile?

@josemecca778

37w↑1

Wonderful ❤

@MrEdro463

7y↑3

These humans are fucking awesome.

@silverskyng

9y↑1

Great job, love hearing Zak!

@Constellation3232

5y↑2

This does the original justice!

@AlinPurcaroiu

7y↑1

best vibes dudes ! you rock

@DannyGworld

This is really superb. Thank you!

@jinersskpada5590

13w

Hope this version is on apple music 😭😭😭

@wds8105

Well done guys
Love that song

@Jbones72

9y↑2

Perfect!

@ernestbowen4054

47w

Just joyful

@kal-elofkrypton8584

This is great!

@matthewbaldwin7162

3y↑2

If you aren’t having fun then what the hell are you doin? Love the song!

@VBtown

9y↑1

good version. great work.

@suredeydo

OMG this is great

@nathanielcohen9890

very nicely done.

@itsjulianros

8y↑3

Shane's voice is really good!

@chalked3

So good!!!!!!!!!!!!

@zolfodor4835

52w

Superb ❤❤

@joeycano4094

7y↑40

Dude in the wife beater could have sung the whole song

@TheOneThatFlewOver

5y↑3

Chris Isaak vibe in his voice. Also helps that this song is straight-up rockabilly.

@jackiesmusic423

4y↑1

Agree

@jamesmiller5842

4y↑2

A much faster, more lively runaround sue. Very good.

@lydiaharrod3261

9y↑2

They are all so talented

@calixa

9y↑1

amazing

@nonewherelistens1906

4y↑1

Singing the song of their grandparents era. Love it. They're enjoying the hell out of it, too.

@nicholaswittenmyer1

Oh hell yeah!

@BarronMoe

8y↑14

White tank top carried that song! Drummer was great as well!!!!

@markwesolek49

4-person band that was tighter than hell.

@michaelgrimes5588

awesome job yo!

@captainrosa7350

3y↑1

You ever just love someone too much? Even tho they've hurt you. They're like a drug. Like a drug you can't quit.

@gtootikian

Very good!!!!

@scotstephenson760

8y↑1

zak crushed the vocals on this...surprised

@keithfitz850

Kev from Shameless rocking it on base lol

@izzibelmunoz8937

excelente

@OrejaTheBand

2y↑1

I didn't know Johnny Knoxville played bass.

@CyberZer

Любимая песня моей бывшей девочки,лайк,До слёэ тронуло,позвоню ей!

@calvincelebuski4501

that drummer should have sang that whole song. big props to the bass players voice tho edit: i miss her

@AboveGreatness0

9y↑6

Absolutely perfect hands down the best version of this song

@eatplaynosleep7548

9y↑2

Idk the original is pretty good.

@njflyersfan74

9y↑2

I think the original is still the best...by far as well.

@pureffm

7y↑1

Best is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V82429UPuEw
Sings in the pocket so much, has the most swag of any version.

@lucytax9744

Laurent Grimal that version is so good, i love it so much

@_jaheli03

AboveGreatness0 they do a version of it in Spotify sessions and it's their best version

@bryan-501

Classic

@PaulRodriguez9

On vocals, the little brother of Cage the Elephants vocalist.
On bass, the younger brother of Brandon Flowers from the Killers.

On keys, Zoey Deschanels younger sister

On drums, Dan Auerbachs younger brother

@jayjay-uf8fg

16w

❤❤❤❤

@BarronMoe

8y↑3

Woman on the key board is amazing. I think you can sing higher though ;) faith girl.

@VimVinyl

7y↑1

I'd rather watch Dion sing it, he made it and performed it the best...

@Mike9201984

9y↑3

Bobcat football rules!!!

@aisyahna11

@ACERAMGAD

Cool!

@brandyrobinson7552

I like the keyboard player. Everything else sounded like you were trying to get through the song fast instead of embarrassing the song. It'll come along if we got patients and practice

@aelh123

the drummer has probably the best voice .... the woman's voice I could barely stand. yes it's nice that they try to play classics but honestly it's not the best version.
they could do way better

@suwimonchaiyai2739

Super

@andrei1971

Is this the same.song that's being used in the new Applebees commercial with the mom?

@XrhstosGr

nice cover

@alecmatteson692

7y↑34

Looks like Johnny Knoxville on bass lol

@tsdobbi

6y↑1

lol right?

@tsdobbi

5y↑3

Im gonna high five myself a year later.

@vipr1142

what a shitty song

@guswidener2854

Vipra Khalnayak what?

@bradleyolsvik7820

Fu😏😄in great cover

@rosewinchester2269

🥰🥰🥰😍

@maxs7181

epix

@feethurt69

what happened to Katie?

@joshuameighan344

Brilliant, but why did you get rid of the beautiful Katie, ok i think I am in love lol

@wallyfisher7359

5y↑9

Whoever mixed this needs to find another job. Still love it tho

@guswidener2854

Wally Fisher hahaha i was looking for this comment!

@Tydyidaho

Am on

@samgilley3160

8y↑26

OH MY GOSH GIVE ME DION BACK. sprints back to previous video

@mikeycondry1493

8y↑1

True

@vstevnx1582

again wow

@elsanicklasdottirlyngvej4484

@Philip Morgan lol yes :)

@theoneandonlycucumber

4y↑2

damn they got Johnny Knoxville on bass

@nickvalentine1496

26w

I think the bass player's mic was too low

@plywoodcarjohnson5412

Feels like they're a lil bit on the backfoot.

@hoodoolem

6y↑4

I love the fact that their new album is called golden age but it’s complete trash and their golden days are behind them....... actually that makes me pretty sad. This band was live.

@Sleepless4Life

Would've been a lot better if there was only one singer imho, pref the drummer. Overall not too shabby

@markschaeffer8008

jim carrey

@kare2much

Is it just me or does that singer look like a white Chuck Berry?

@roflmows

i have the same type of messy hair and scraggly beard as Matt Myers...now i don't feel so bad about not being able to grow a proper beard ;D

@havoc391

Looks like Tom Brady

@RobCoghanable

51w

Too fast

@EngOmar254

8y↑2

OMG 😱what in the hell is that lady doing........absolutely taking the joy out of the songs .......Guys kudos👍

@johntoth9150

music drowning out the song... Try again! :-)

@Mike9201984

They're on drugs

@platano3000x

nice try but just another example that the best era of real talent in good music it was in the 50s 60s 70s and 80s.....i like the fact this young kids are doin the good music but if we look at the original geeezzzz its like perfect lol

@theodorep9569

+eduar ed listen to their most recent album my friend...there is still great talent even today. Their rockabilly is amazing.

@platano3000x

+Theodore P hey kid aint nobody saying there no good talent out there BUT is not like before thats all...this song sing by the real artist its just in another level of course i understand its the original artist but still u cant argue that the best era of real muaic is behind us when this era is dominate by hip hop and stuff like that...

@theodorep9569

I'm not gonna claim the music today is great, but these guys are a light in the dark. I actually don't listen to much of today's pop/rock it's mostly shit. I'm a kid of the 80s, not 2010s so I've seen many a good band. Sure missed Zeppelin, Beatles, Doors, Hendrix and everyone else but I've had my Radiohead and many others. Glad to see you've checked out Houndmouth man, we can share in a love of a few good rock riffs.

@loststars6533

Guys..... I mean, just because music today is different doesn't mean it's not good. Sure, there're tons of pop songs that have absolutely zero meaning, let alone any soul, but there are lots of different artists nowadays from all kinds of different genres that are just as talented/skilled/passionate as any great artist or band from the 50s/60s/70s/80s. Like rap/hip-hop, for example. I'm not a fan myself, but you can't say that M&M isn't insanely passionate and talented. Again, I'm not a fan of his music or the genre at all, but he's an amazing artist. His lyrics alone are reason enough to respect him. (Ya know, minus the profanity and all :P)

I adore the classics - don't get me wrong! But I've also found just as much greatness in modern artists and bands too :)

@platano3000x

+Melissa Wilkins kind of agree there still great talent todays day BUT its record lebel and radio station that dont make the right decision its about business and money todays day so they out whatever ..back in the days artist get pay todays day artist pay the radio station so they can out teir music on lol its crazy some artist spend millions of dollars in promotion ect so the real good music be out of the way....britney spears had years she was the top singer and she didnt really had no talent compare to any artist from back in the days its crazy...celine dion..mariah carey r just a few of what ee got left singin consistence good music

4 More Replies...

@jaymasterscrapper301

44w

Ehh.

@sisqo2008

lol not good orginal is betterrrrrr

@Daily_Bassist

8y↑4

...

I don't like it

@benhuot6852

way to fast and without emotions...

@redcopenhagen1821

6y↑1

Terrible harmony

@redcopenhagen1821

You can also hear them tyrn up the bass players mic during his verse

@sharkaduck1935

@Red Copenhagen yeah... So that he could switch back-up vocals in the verse to Lead vocals midway through

@redcopenhagen1821

@Sharkaduck no it's cringeworthy pitch scratchy singers... real harmony = the Lettermen

@blakemartin2883

Dion is way better

@cbb6278

9y↑21

And once again this song gets butchered up.

@dak62123

9y↑3

still better then most of them

@theodorep9569

8y↑6

+Daryl Dixon Back to under your bridge troll. They did a great job. So be quiet.

@cbb6278

8y↑8

***** Great? There isn't even anything mediocre about this rendition.

@theodorep9569

8y↑6

Hey,awesome! Look at you! You crawled out from under your bridge to comment on this YouTube video. The sunlight must really hurt your troll eyes. Go on scurry back under there until the next time you have some hateful nonsense to write on YouTube.

@robbyjake1785

Mand'alor way better bud

1 More Replies...

@JamesScouseGames

5y↑2

well that sucked sorry guys

@geroisgarsav3703

7y↑2

wow this sucks

@Project2502

9y↑3

Awful.

@KhandyCnylesojk

8y↑2

wooow I like this interpretation. And the Drummer has a good voice! ;-)

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