Among a number of groups who helped define the Motown Sound of the 1960s, including The Miracles, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Supremes, The Four Tops were notable for having Stubbs, a baritone, as their lead singer; most groups of the time were fronted by a tenor. The group was the main male vocal group for the songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who crafted for the group a stream of popular hit singles, including two #1 hits: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There". After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, the Four Tops were assigned to a number of producers, primarily Frank Wilson. When Motown left Detroit in 1972 to move to Los Angeles, California, the Tops stayed in Detroit and moved over to ABC Records, where they continued to have charting singles into the late-1970s. Since the 1980s, The Four Tops have recorded for, at various times, Motown, Casablanca Records, and Arista Records.
As an unofficial record, it is believed that The Four Tops were the band to continue performing the longest without a lineup change. Levi Stubbs, Abdul Fakir, Renaldo Benson and Lawrence Payton sang together as the Four Tops from 1954 until 1997, when Lawrence Payton died of cancer. That's an astonishing 43 years without a lineup change. The three surviving members continued to tour as "The Tops."
You Keep Running Away
The Four Tops Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though I beg you not to leave
But still you won't stay
Darlin' you keep running away
Tear my heart apart every step of the way
You're here today and gone tomorrow
Leavin' this heart of mine in sorrow
Long enough to hurt me, and then you're gone again
Darlin' you, you keep running away
Oh, I begged you not to leave, you never stay
Now you, you keep running away
Leavin' me here to face another lonely day
To you all of this is just a game
But each time you came here, I feel the pain
But I've got so much love for you
I keep wanting you, no matter what you do
All I want to do is take care of you
Everything I have in my life, I'll share with you
This soul of mine has been possessed by you
Darling my heart has been obsessed with you
Just look at me, I'm not the man, I used to be
I used to be proud, I used to be strong
But all of that's changed girl, since you come along
Your lovin' sweetness is my weakness
Though I need you, dear, I just can't keep you near
Running away, running away, running away
Running away, running away, running away
Each time you go, the hurt comes callin'
My days become nights, darlin'
My nights become so much longer
You're in my life, you're in my heart
But I can't get you, get you into my arms
Darlin' you, you keep runnin' away
Darlin' you, you just keep runnin' away
The Four Tops’ “You Keep Running Away” is a song about a lover who continuously runs away from their partner despite their pleas for them to stay. The lyrics reflect the pain and heartbreak that the singer feels as they watch their lover leave time and time again, tearing their heart apart with every step. The song also explores the idea that despite the lover’s bad behavior, the singer cannot help but keep wanting and loving them.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the lover’s tendency to run away and leave the singer feeling lonely and heartbroken. The verse explains how the lover’s behavior affects the singer, leaving their heart in sorrow every time they leave. The bridge shows the singer’s undying love for the lover and their willingness to take care of and share everything with them, despite their bad behavior. However, the final chorus shows the singer’s resignation to the fact that the lover will never change, and they will continue to hurt them by running away.
Overall, the song is a powerful portrayal of the pain of unrequited love and the struggle to let go of someone you know is bad for you.
Line by Line Meaning
You keep running away
You consistently choose to leave rather than stay
Though I beg you not to leave
I plead with you to remain, but you ignore my appeals
But still you won't stay
Despite my pleas, you refuse to remain
Darlin' you keep running away
My beloved, you repeatedly choose to depart
Tear my heart apart every step of the way
Your actions cause me emotional pain with every departure
You're here today and gone tomorrow
You appear suddenly and leave just as abruptly
Leavin' this heart of mine in sorrow
Your exits cause me deep sadness and grief
Now you come around every now and then
Occasionally, you make a return
Long enough to hurt me, and then you're gone again
Unfortunately, your stays are brief, and you cause me pain before leaving
Darlin' you, you keep running away
My beloved, you persist in leaving me
Oh, I begged you not to leave, you never stay
I implored you to stay, but you consistently refuse
Leavin' me here to face another lonely day
Your departure leaves me to endure another day of loneliness
To you all of this is just a game
You view our relationship as a game or source of amusement
But each time you came here, I feel the pain
When you visit me, you cause me emotional anguish
But I've got so much love for you
Despite your actions, I still have a deep affection for you
I keep wanting you, no matter what you do
Despite your hurtful behavior, I continue to desire you
All I want to do is take care of you
I want to provide for and protect you
Everything I have in my life, I'll share with you
I am willing to give you everything I possess
This soul of mine has been possessed by you
You have a profound influence on my being
Darling my heart has been obsessed with you
My feelings for you are all-consuming and obsessive
Just look at me, I'm not the man, I used to be
Due to my love for you, I have been transformed and changed
I used to be proud, I used to be strong
I had confidence and strength before you entered my life
But all of that's changed girl, since you come along
My life has become different and transformed since I met you
Your lovin' sweetness is my weakness
My weakness is your affection and kindness
Though I need you, dear, I just can't keep you near
I require your presence, but I am unable to hold onto you
Running away, running away, running away
Your behavior of continually leaving is concerning and problematic
Each time you go, the hurt comes callin'
Every time you leave, I am confronted with emotional pain
My days become nights, darlin'
My days become dark and lonely without you present
My nights become so much longer
My nights drag on and seem never-ending without you
You're in my life, you're in my heart
You are a significant part of my life and will always have a place in my heart
But I can't get you, get you into my arms
I am unable to keep you close and hold you in my arms
Darlin' you, you keep runnin' away
My beloved, you continue to depart despite my desires for you to stay
Darlin' you, you just keep runnin' away
My dear, you repeatedly elude my attempts to keep you close
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kimmell2010
My gosh...this man's voice is like thunder! Awsome voice!
Loretta Walls
This is a favorite!!! James Jamerson stole my heart with his bass playing and transitions all throughout this cut!!! So appreciate the Funk Brothers for real.
Fred Grier
The Great, the legendary Levi Stubbs and the Mighty 4 Tops at their very best. They were in the prime of their career when this awesome song was recorded, and or released. Very few frontmen, if any can could deliver and interpret a song with so much passion and emotion as Levi! A big "kudos" to the awesome songwriting and producing team of "Holland Dozier & Holland, for writing this song for the 4 Tops. This was one of the most successful collaboration between producers and artist(s) in the history of the music industry.
John Omalley
Them and The Temptations are the best Motown artists
Sandi Johnson
I don't believe I've heard this song since I was a kid. It so reminds of my childhood and the adults dancing at family parties.
Garret Swayne
One of the most under-rated of the Motown Classics! When they come back from the bridge into the last verse (around 1:35--1:40 or so), it's absolutely exquisite!
Kay Van Cooten
Garret Swayne
agreed, the most brilliant drumming!
john sampson
Benny was up there with Hal Blaine!
Soulbrother 714
If this song doesn’t make you dance, nothing will
Veronica Proctor
Funk Brothers at their best on this cut.