Released May 30, 1966 Length 2:25 | Format 7" single Label Atlantic | |
B-side "Love Is a Beautiful Thing" Genre Rhythm and blues, blue-eyed soul | ||
"You Better Run" is a song by The Young Rascals. Written by group members Eddie Brigati and Felix Cavaliere, it was released as the band's third single in 1966 and reached the top 20 in the United States.
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Critical reception
A review in a 1966 issue of Billboard magazine described the song as a "big-beat wailer" and a "strong follow-up to 'Good Lovin''". In the book Pioneers of Rock and Roll, author Harry Sumrall wrote that the song represented the apex of the band's sound and complimented guitarist Gene Cornish's "slashing chords". Allmusic's Matthew Greenwald called it "a classic garage rocker with a punkish energy [that] showcased the band's live chops to a great effect, as well as Felix Cavaliere's awesome soul-inflected vocals." Music journalist Fred Bronson noted that "You Better Run" was a commercial disappointment, having peaked at number 20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 after their previous single, "Good Lovin'", had reached number one.
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Pat Benatar version
Pat Benatar recorded "You Better Run" for her second album, Crimes of Passion (1980). The song was released as the album's lead single. It peaked at number 42 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and #44 on the Cash Box Top 100. The song appeared on the soundtrack to the 1980 film Roadie. On August 1, 1981, the music video for the song was the second video ever broadcast on MTV, after the network premiered with "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. It was used on D-TV's Monster Hits in 1987.
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Other versions
In 1966, with the band Listen, Robert Plant made his recording debut singing lead vocals on a cover version of "You Better Run", which was released as a single by CBS Records.
In 1966, the Québec band "Les Aristots" made a French cover "Je ne vois qu'elle".
In 1980, Peter Criss recorded a cover version of the song on his solo album Out of Control, his first solo album after leaving KISS.
In 1980, the Canadian rock band Toronto recorded a version of "You Better Run" on their debut album Lookin' For Trouble.
IN 1981, Pub rock band Eddie and the Hot Rods covered the song on the group's album Fish 'n' Chips.