She began gospel singing with her mother in the Holloway Community Singers and she has also recorded with Albertina Walker in The Caravans gospel group. Holloway was also a cast member of the Chicago troupe of Don't Bother Me I Can't Cope.
Holloway found moderate disco success when she placed eighteen songs on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, including four Number ones, and was featured on Dan Hartman's disco classic, "Vertigo / Relight My Fire". In the early 1980s, she had another dance hit with "Crash Goes Love", before she had her first Number one in the UK with "Ride On Time" by Black Box, which featured vocal samples from her own Salsoul recording, "Love Sensation". This happened again in 1991 when Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch featured her vocals in the chart topping cover version of the song "Good Vibrations". Although both songs were notorious for initial copyright infringements (see: white label), they did help elevate Holloway to legendary status in the dance music/disco community.
A more recent dance chart entry was "Relight My Fire" (credited to Martin featuring Loleatta Holloway), which hit #5 in 2003.
Her latest hit "Love Sensation '06" peaked at #22 in the Dutch Top 40[1] and reached #37 on the UK Singles Chart as well as #49 in Australia.
Holloway died on March 21, 2011 from heart failure. She was 64 years old. She is survived by her four children.
Runaway
Loleatta Holloway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes I'm gonna mess around Cause that's the way I want to be Gonna try to
Get it down Before I let love get to me Don't want your love don't need it
That's the way I see it
Oh runaway You better not hesitate Better hurry don't wait now Runaway
Before you find it's to late Cause you know how love slow you down
And if I should change my mind If I should want to turn around You know it
Won't be hard to find Find another loving clown It's best to think what of
Chorus
No I'll never settle down Cause I'm just settling kind I got a place all
Over town And do just what is on my mind
Love is good for those Who want it, who want it I should know I've done it
Chorus Adlib Out
The song Runaway by Loleatta Holloway expresses the desire to avoid love and commitments, and to live a carefree life. The opening lines of the song claim that the singer is going to mess around because that is the way she wants to be. She wants to enjoy life and have fun without the constraints of love. The lyrics suggest that love is something that holds you back and slows you down. The singer warns others to not hesitate in running away before it is too late, implying that love can be a trap that is difficult to escape. The singer also hints that she may change her mind but claims that finding another loving clown will not be hard. The song ends with the singer vowing to never settle down, as she is a settling kind, with a place all over town to do just what is on her mind.
One interesting fact about the song Runaway is that it was written by Norman Harris, Ron Baker, and Earl Young, who were members of the MFSB band. The song was originally recorded by Philadelphia soul group The Salsoul Orchestra, but it was Loleatta Holloway's version that became the biggest hit. Another interesting fact is that Runaway was released in 1977, at the height of the disco era. It became a popular disco song and was often played in clubs. The song features a disco beat, and Loleatta Holloway's powerful vocals add to the energetic feel of the song.
The song's popularity continued well into the 2000s, with numerous remixes of the song being created. Runaway has been covered by many artists, including Bon Jovi, Kanye West, and Janet Jackson. In 2010, Kanye West sampled Holloway's vocals for his hit song "The Power" from his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The popularity of the song shows that its lyrics and message continue to resonate with audiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes I'm gonna mess around
I am going to have fun and play the field.
Cause that's the way I want to be
This is my preferred lifestyle.
Gonna try to get it down
I want to get what I want before anyone else snatches it up.
Before I let love get to me
I don't want to be tied down or burdened by the complications of love.
Don't want your love don't need it
I am not interested in love from you or anyone else.
That's the way I see it
This is my perspective and I am sticking to it.
Oh runaway
I am talking to someone who is in the same situation as me.
You better not hesitate
Don't waste any time or you may miss out.
Better hurry don't wait now
Act now and don't delay.
Runaway before you find it's too late
Leave before you become too attached and find it difficult to leave.
Cause you know how love slow you down
Love can be a burden and hold you back from pursuing your desires.
And if I should change my mind
If I have a change of heart.
If I should want to turn around
If I decide I want something different.
You know it won't be hard to find
It will be easy to find someone else who is willing to love me.
Find another loving clown
I may see someone who loves me as foolish or misguided.
It's best to think what of it
It's best to consider the consequences of every action.
The change you will love it
This change will be positive and enjoyable.
No I'll never settle down
I refuse to commit to anyone or anything.
Cause I'm just settling kind
This is who I am and how I choose to live.
I got a place all over town
I have options and can go wherever I want.
And do just what is on my mind
I follow my impulses and desires without hesitation.
Love is good for those
Love can be a positive experience for some people.
Who want it, who want it
For those who desire it.
I should know I've done it
I have experienced love before and have made my decision based on that experience.
Contributed by Asher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bilalabdul-rauf2362
Still listening in 2023โ๐พ
@marcarfar
Also in 2024... In Mexico
@that70sguy33
LOVE THE VERY BEAUTIFUL, LUSH disco SalSoul orchestra with Mrs. Loleatta Holloway Leading !!! ๐โฅ๏ธ๐โฅ๏ธ
@Usercantwelve
Love everything about this Damce..RIP Loleatta my โค๏ธ THANK YOU
@nett1200z
You know how you have to find a song when it's stuck in your head for years? Yup this was it for me.
@robertomelo5252
Eu tambรฉm amigo ! Essa mรบsica trรกs grandes recordaรงรตes !
@queendreens3845
Me too . ๐๐๐ฝSalud
@lisafiel8457
Perfection! Bring this back to the floor!
@yell0wberry
Somebodyโs been in my crates again, please return my Loletta Holloway albums immediately
@henrivanbree3130
Beautiful voice.Loleatta RIP