Though Salsoul records had long been out of print, several were brought back in the mid-'90's. Many of the more recent 'house' music offerings owe more than a passing nod to the recordings of this orchestra.
Runaway
The Salsoul Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Les Miserables (Act 1)
The Runaway Cart
[The crowd parts to reveal that the cart has crashed,
trapping M. Fauchelevant.]
Voices
Look at that!
It's Monsieur Fauchelevant!
Don't approach! Don't go near!
At the risk of your life!
He is caught by the wheel!
Oh, the pitiful man.
Stay away, turn away,
There is nothing to do.
There is nothing to do.
Valjean
Is there anyone here
Who will rescue the man?
Who will help me to shoulder
The weight of the cart?
Voices
Don't go near him, Mr. Mayor
The load is heavy as hell
The old man's a goner for sure
It'll kill you as well.
[Valjean attempts to lift the cart. They manage to pull
Fauchelevant clear.]
Fauchelevant
M'sieur le Mayor, I have no words
You come from God, you are a saint.
[Javert takes Valjean aside.]
Javert
Can this be true?
I don't believe what I see!
A man your age
To be as strong as you are...
A memory stirs.
You make me think of a man
From years ago
A man who broke his parole
He disappeared
Forgive me, Sir,
I would not dare!
Valjean
Say what you must, don't leave it there.
Javert
I have only known one other
Who can do what you have done
He's a convict from the chain gang
He's been ten years on the run
But he couldn't run forever
We have found his hideaway
And he's just been re-arrested
And he comes to court today.
Of course he now denies it
You'd expect that of a con
But he couldn't run forever,
No, not even Jean Valjean!
Valjean
You say this man denies it all
And gives no sign of understanding or repentance?
You say this man is going to trial
And that's he's sure to be returned
To serve his sentence?
Come to that, can you be sure,
That I am not your man?
Javert
I have known the thief for ages
Tracked him down through thick and thin
And to make the matter certain
There's the brand upon his skin
He will bend, he will break
This time there is no mistake.
[Javert leaves, Valjean is alone.]
The Salsoul Orchestra’s song “Runaway” includes the lyrics “Don't go near him, Mr. Mayor / The load is heavy as hell / The old man's a goner for sure / It'll kill you as well.” These lyrics are a reference to a scene in Act 1 of Les Miserables. The scene involves M. Fauchelevant getting trapped under a cart, and nobody being able to lift it off of him except for Jean Valjean. Javert, a police inspector, witnesses this feat of strength and is struck by the similarity between Jean Valjean and a convict from a chain gang who broke his parole years ago. Javert later tells Valjean that the convict has been re-arrested, but Valjean begins to worry that he may be mistaken for the convict.
The lyrics of “Runaway” are not a direct retelling of the scene, but instead use it as a reference point for a larger narrative about escaping society’s labels and expectations. The repeated use of the word “runaway” suggests a desire to break free from the constraints of one’s past or one’s societal role. In the context of Les Miserables, this theme is reflected in the character of Jean Valjean, who is constantly pursued by Javert despite his repeated attempts to reform himself.
Overall, “Runaway” is a song that combines disco beats with a subtle sense of narrative depth. By drawing on a classic literary reference like Les Miserables, The Salsoul Orchestra creates a sense of timelessness and universality that allows their music to resonate with listeners even decades after it was first released.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at that!
The crowd is reacting to the crashed cart.
It's Monsieur Fauchelevant!
They have identified the person trapped under the cart.
Don't approach! Don't go near!
The situation is dangerous and the crowd is warning others to stay back.
At the risk of your life!
Approaching the scene could put one's life in danger.
He is caught by the wheel!
M. Fauchelevant is trapped under the wheel of the cart.
Oh, the pitiful man.
The situation is sad and unfortunate for M. Fauchelevant.
Stay away, turn away,
The crowd is urging others to not get involved and to leave the scene.
There is nothing to do.
The crowd feels helpless and unable to assist M. Fauchelevant.
Is there anyone here Who will rescue the man?
Valjean is asking if anyone is willing to help him lift the cart and save M. Fauchelevant.
Who will help me to shoulder The weight of the cart?
Valjean needs assistance to lift the heavy cart and free M. Fauchelevant.
Don't go near him, Mr. Mayor The load is heavy as hell The old man's a goner for sure It'll kill you as well.
The crowd is warning Valjean of the possible danger and harm in attempting to lift the cart and save M. Fauchelevant.
M'sieur le Mayor, I have no words You come from God, you are a saint.
M. Fauchelevant expresses gratitude and admiration towards Valjean for saving him.
Can this be true? I don't believe what I see! A man your age To be as strong as you are... A memory stirs.
Javert is surprised by Valjean's strength and begins to question his identity.
You make me think of a man From years ago A man who broke his parole He disappeared Forgive me, Sir, I would not dare!
Javert suspects that Valjean may be the same man who broke his parole years ago and disappeared.
Say what you must, don't leave it there.
Valjean encourages Javert to speak his thoughts and not hold back.
I have only known one other Who can do what you have done He's a convict from the chain gang He's been ten years on the run
Javert compares Valjean's strength to that of another convict who had been on the run for ten years.
But he couldn't run forever We have found his hideaway And he's just been re-arrested And he comes to court today.
The other convict has been caught and will be brought to court for trial.
Of course he now denies it You'd expect that of a con But he couldn't run forever, No, not even Jean Valjean!
The other convict denies his wrongdoing, but Javert is confident that he will be punished for his crimes, just like Valjean.
You say this man denies it all And gives no sign of understanding or repentance?
Valjean questions Javert's judgment and the other convict's lack of remorse.
You say this man is going to trial And that's he's sure to be returned To serve his sentence?
Javert confirms that the other convict will go to trial and be sent back to prison.
Come to that, can you be sure, That I am not your man?
Valjean questions whether or not Javert could mistake him for the other convict.
I have known the thief for ages Tracked him down through thick and thin And to make the matter certain There's the brand upon his skin
Javert is certain that he has identified the other convict because he has been tracking him for a long time and recognizes the brand on his skin.
He will bend, he will break This time there is no mistake.
Javert is confident that the other convict will be punished and has no doubt in his mind about it.
Writer(s): Janice Gugliuzza, Vincent Montana, Daniel Giles Sells, Richard Peter Jones, Ronald Sistasio, Adam Mcleer, Janice Marie Gugliuzza, Vincent Montana Jr, Michael Mcleer, Ronald James di Stasio Copyright: Vincent Montana Jr Music, Mcleer Bros. Music LLC, BMG Rights Management (Uk) Ltd., Vmg Salsoul Worldwide, Vincent Montana Jr. Music, Vmg Salsoul Copyrights LLC, WB Music Corp.
Contributed by Jordyn L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JKCityscape
Never gets old. Great vocals, great melody line, great orchestral performance. Philly Groove Orchestra, MFSB & Salsoul Orchestra… landmarks in music!
@cris_here
this song has really been helping me get thru quarantine 😭♥️
@anthonyk7840
Oh, the memories.....high school in the 70's!! So grateful we had this amazing music!!!
@Reeree6547
Have this in my 45 collection and have always loved the musicianship here. Ms. Holloway was perfect to sing lead on this. Didn't know until I pulled up this video that she had passed!! May she R.I.P.
@flaviowilner1288
Nice combination of a powerful singer and a well directed orchestra. Hard to beat with a jazzy flavor as bonus.
@marcellolobo2328
Pure soul,R&B dancing disco music, impossible not dancing when listening. Superbe. RiP Lolleatta
@jakko6467
Loleatta Holloway, Vince Montana & The Salsoul Orchestra...Absolutely Sublime!!!!!!!
@amaurirocha8233
Vincent Montana, the Godfather of disco.
@the_real_latinokid2495
Some classics never get old... like wine it just gets better with time...
@berroncarlos
ONE OF HER GRATEST SONGS... REMEMBER OLD DISCO NIGHTS