Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Runaround Sue

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B-side
  
"Runaway Girl"

Label
  
Released
  
September 1961

Length
  
2:41

Writer(s)
  
Dion DiMucci and Ernie Maresca

"Runaround Sue" is a pop song, in a doo-wop style, originally a US No. 1 hit for the singer Dion during 1961 after he split with the Belmonts. The song ranked No. 342 on the Rolling Stone list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". The song was written by Dion with Ernie Maresca, and tells the story of a disloyal lover.

Contents

Lyrics

The lyrics are sung from the point of view of a man whose former girlfriend, named Sue, was extremely unfaithful. He warns all potential lovers to avoid her at all costs, as Sue "runs around" with every guy she meets and never settles down with any man in particular. He advises "Now people let me put you wise, Sue goes out with other guys" and suggests that potential suitors should 'keep away from Runaround Sue'. Dion stated in his autobiography "The Wanderer" that although his wife's name was Susan, Runaround Sue had nothing to do with her.

Leif Garrett cover

"Runaround Sue" was covered by Leif Garrett in 1977. The song was the second of four releases from his debut album, all of which became U.S. chart hits. All four songs were covers of major hits from 1959 to 1963, including Dion's two biggest hits. Of the four, "Runaround Sue" was the most successful for Garrett. In early 1978, his version reached number 13 on Billboard and number 18 on Cash Box. The song also reached number 15 in Canada.

Other cover versions

  • In 1980, English group Racey released a cover version which reached number 13 on the UK charts.
  • John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band covered the song in 1983, for the movie Eddie and the Cruisers.
  • Gary Glitter also covered it on C'mon... C'mon The Gary Glitter Party Album (1997).
  • G-Eazy sampled the song in his 2011 album The Endless Summer.
  • Human Nature covered the song on their 2014 album Jukebox.
  • Hibernian FC fans have used the songs backing track to their own lyrics from May 2016.
  • References

    Runaround Sue Wikipedia


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