Runaround Sue
Midnight Dynamos Lyrics


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Dion Runaround Sue

Hayp Hayp
Bumda Hady Hady Hayp Hayp
Bumda Hady Hady Hayp Hayp
Bumda Hady Hady Hayp

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
Akeep Away Froma 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
Akeep Away Froma 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 Froma Runaround Sue





(Repeat Last Two Verses And Chorus)

Overall Meaning

The song Runaround Sue by Dion and the Belmonts warns listeners about a girl named Sue who has a reputation for being unfaithful and causing heartbreak. The lyrics suggest that the singer had been in a relationship with Sue and had been hurt by her actions. He urges others to avoid her and shares his regret about getting involved with her in the first place.


The repetitive sounds in the beginning, "Hayp Hayp Bumda Hady Hady Hayp Hayp Bumda Hady Hady Hayp," serve as a catchy introduction to the song and set the rhythm for the rest of the track. In the first verse, the singer laments the fact that he didn't realize that Sue would be a heartbreaker from the beginning. He regrets getting involved with her and warns others to stay away from her. He then goes on to describe the physical attributes of Sue that he misses, such as her lips, smile, and hair. The chorus reinforces the idea that Sue is a risk that one should avoid to prevent heartbreak.


The second verse describes how Sue enjoys spending time with different men and using them before moving on to someone else. The singer emphasizes that she is not loyal and will eventually hurt anyone who gets involved with her. The final verse offers advice to listeners by encouraging them to steer clear of Sue and any other women like her. The song's lyrics are straightforward and easy to understand, but the catchy melody and repetition make it an enduring hit from the early 1960s.


Line by Line Meaning

Hayp Hayp
Instrumental introduction, no specific meaning


Bumda Hady Hady Hayp Hayp
Continuation of instrumental introduction, no specific meaning


Ah I Should Have Known It From The Very Start
Regretful reflection on the singer's lack of awareness of the true nature of Runaround Sue from the beginning of their relationship


This Girl Will Leave Me With A Broken Heart
Awareness that Runaround Sue is not committed to the artist and will ultimately cause him emotional pain


Now Listen People What I'm Telling You
Strong advice to the audience to heed the artist's warning


Akeep Away Froma Runaround Sue
Explicit instruction to avoid getting involved with women like Runaround Sue


I Miss Her Lips And The Smile On Her Face
Confession of the singer's emotional attachment to Runaround Sue despite being aware of her true nature


The Touch Of Her Hair And This Girl's Warm Embrace
Further confession of the artist's physical and emotional attraction to Runaround Sue


So If You Don't Wanna Cry Like I Do
Final warning to the audience to avoid the pain and heartbreak that the artist has experienced


Akeep Away Froma Runaround Sue
Reiteration of the explicit instruction to avoid women like Runaround Sue


Ah She Likes To Travel Around
Acknowledgment that Runaround Sue enjoys moving from one romantic partner to another


She'll Love You But She'll Put You Down
Awareness that Runaround Sue will show affection to her partners but ultimately treat them poorly


Now People Let Me Put You Wise
Assertive statement to the audience, trying to convey his own gained knowledge through experience and cautioning them to maintain distance from similar circumstances


Sue Goes Out With Other Guys
Confirmation to the audience that Runaround Sue is not faithful and commits to other romantic partners


Here's The Moral And The Story From The Guy Who Knows
Announcement that the singer is aware of what is happening and knows the true nature of Runaround Sue


I Fell In Love And My Love Still Grows
Expression of deep feelings which still exist for Runaround Sue despite her flaws


Ask Any Fool That She Ever Knew They'll Say
Testimony from anyone who has had a past relationship with Runaround Sue would confirm her unfaithfulness and shortcomings


Keep Away Froma Runaround Sue
Reiteration of the main cautionary message to the audience to avoid women like Runaround Sue


(Repeat Last Two Verses And Chorus)
Play last two verses and chorus once again to stress the warning points in the song




Writer(s): Dion di Mucci, Ernie Maresca

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