Runaway (Janet Jackson song)

"Runaway"
Single by Janet Jackson
from the album Design of a Decade: 1986–1996
Released	August 29, 1995
Format	CD 7" 12" cassette
Recorded	June 1995
Genre	Worldbeat R&B[1]
Length	3:35
Label	A&M
Writer(s)	Janet Jackson James Harris III, Terry Lewis
Producer(s)	Janet Jackson Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Janet Jackson singles chronology
"Scream" (1995) "Runaway" (1995) "Twenty Foreplay" (1996)
Music sample Janet Jackson - "Runaway"

"Runaway" is a song recorded by American singer Janet Jackson for her first greatest hits album, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 (1995). Written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the track was released as the album's lead single on August 29, 1995, by A&M Records.

Background and composition

"Runaway" was created to be a possible duet with Jackson's brother Michael Jackson, but they chose "Scream" instead.^[2] "Runaway" blends hard pop-hip hop beats with influences from African and Asian music, and has a similar sound to her previous hits "Escapade" and "Whoops Now". Towards the end of the song, Jackson breaks the fourth wall with the lyric, "Ooh, didn't quite hit the note/That wasn't such a good time". Africa, Nairobi, Tuscany, Australia, Mexico, Spain, and Paris are mentioned in the song.

Chart performance

"Runaway" made Jackson the first female artist in Billboard's history to debut in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, entering at number six in September 1995.^[3] It eventually peaked at number three. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold 800,000 copies domestically.^[4][5] The song also reached number two in Canada, in addition to being a top ten hit in the United Kingdom and Australia and a moderate success in continental Europe, reaching the top 30 in most countries.

Music video

The music video for "Runaway" was directed by Marcus Nispel and choreographed by Tina Landon on August 27, 1995. It starts from in New York City where Jackson is in her apartment. She walks in the living room and puts her dog on the floor. She climbs out the window and jumps out, landing on a telephone pole. Jackson travels around the world and visits many places including Egypt, India, China, Africa, Chile, Brazil, Tuscany, Paris, Australia, and the Great Buddha Statue of Kamakura in Japan. Upon returning from her trip, Jackson climbs back into her apartment to be greeted by her dog. The video and its production documentary appear exclusively on the Design of a Decade 1986/1996 video release.

Live performances

Jackson has performed the song on all of her tours since its release. "Runaway" was included on the setlist of her 1998 The Velvet Rope Tour. The stage reveals the "deranged madness" of the following "hallucinatory" segment, featuring Jackson in a jester's headdress and satin bustier, with dancers dressed as "flowers, Mad Hatters, and horny gnomes" in a "Wonderland" setting. Jackson performs an upbeat medley of "Escapade", "When I Think of You", "Miss You Much", "Runaway" and "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" across a "blindingly bright, poppy-induced set design" with varied props, which include a smiling clock tower, inflatable moons, mammoth chaise, vases, and books.^[6] It was also performed by the singer during the All for You Tour in 2001 and 2002, in a medley with "When I Think of You", "Miss You Much" and "Escapade" with the stage decorated with carnival balloons and costumes.^[7] It was used as the encore song for the Rock Witchu Tour in 2008, with Jackson and her dancers wearing white outfits.^[8] "Runaway" was also dedicated to cities Paris and Sydney on her 2011 Number Ones, Up Close and Personal tour.

Track listings

"Runaway" was released with "When I Think of You" as a double A-side in certain territories.

Runaway U.S. double 12" promo single (AMPRO 00092)[9] G.Man's Hip Hop Mix (featuring Coolio) – 4:13 G.Man's Hip Hop Extended – 4:21 Silk's Old Skool Radio – 4:11 G.Man's Club Mix – 3:51 Kelly's Bump & Run Mix – 8:08 Kelly's Bump & Run Radio – 4:31 Silk's Old Skool 12" – 4:56 Torin's Chicago Underground – 4:34 Maestro's 95th & Ashland House Dub – 6:06 Steve "Silk" Hurley House Mix – 6:58 Jam & Lewis Street Mix Edit – 3:22 Jam & Lewis Ghetto Mix – 4:54 J.A.M. Session Mix – 3:39 Indasoul Mix – 3:38 U.S. promo CD single (AMSAD 00065)[10] G.Man's Hip Hop Mix (featuring Coolio) – 4:14 G.Man's Hip Hop Mix – 3:41 Silk's Old School Radio Mix (A/C Remix) – 4:11 Jam & Lewis Street Mix Edit – 3:22 J.A.M. Session Mix – 3:39 Jam & Lewis Ghetto Mix – 4:54 G.Man's Hip Hop Extended – 4:21 Indasoul Mix – 3:38 Kelly's Bump & Run Edit – 4:31 Junior's Unplugged Mix – 3:38 Steve "Silk" Hurley House Mix – 6:58 Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06 U.S. promo CD single (AMCDP00073)[11] LP version – 3:34 UK double 12" single (581 259-1)[12] Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06 Steve "Silk" Hurley House Mix – 6:58 Kelly's Bump & Run Mix – 8:08 Torin's Chicago Mix – 8:45 Junior's Unplugged Session – 3:30 The J.A.M. Session Mix – 3:41 UK CD maxi single (581 197-2)[13] / Australian CD single (581197-2)[14] LP Version - 3:34 "When I Think of You" (David Morales House Mix '95 7" UK Edit) – 3:30 "When I Think of You" (David Morales Classic Club Mix) – 6:55 "When I Think of You" (David Morales Jazzy Mix UK Edit) – 10:18 U.S. 12" single (31458 1225 1)[15] / U.S. CD maxi single (31458 1211 2)[16] LP version – 3:34 Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06 "When I Think of You" (Extended Morales House Mix 95) – 7:41 "When I Think Of You" (Heller & Farley Project Mix) – 10:46 Junior's Unplugged Session – 3:30

Runaway/When I Think of You UK double 12" promo single (12 AMPMDJ 025)[17] Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06 "When I Think of You" (Heller & Farley Project Mix) – 10:41 Junior's Factory Dub – 6:57 "When I Think of You" (Junior Trackhead Joint) – 7:08 Junior's Tribal Dub – 4:39 U.S. double 12" promo single (AMPRO 00083)[18] LP Version - 3:34 Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06 Junior's Tribal Dub – 4:40 Junior's Factory Dub – 6:57 Junior's Chant Mix – 9:20 "When I Think of You" (Classic Club Mix) – 6:56 "When I Think of You" (Extended Morales House Mix 95) – 7:41 "When I Think of You" (Crazy Love Mix) – 8:44 "When I Think of You" (Incredible Boss Dub) – 7:10 "When I Think of You" (Jazzy Mix) – 10:19 "When I Think of You" (Heller & Farley Project Mix) – 10:41 Junior's Unplugged Mix – 3:30 UK double 12" single (581 243-1)[19] Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06 Junior's Tribal Mix – 4:39 "When I Think of You" (Deep Dish Chocolate City Mix) – 9:35 "When I Think of You" (Deep Dish Quiet Storm Dub) – 7:50 "When I Think of You" (Dished Out Dub) – 11:30 UK 12" single (581 209-1)[20] LP Version - 3:34 "When I Think of You" (Heller & Farley Project Mix UK Edit) – 6:44 "When I Think of You" (David Morales House Mix '95 UK 12" Edit) – 6:17 "When I Think of You" (David Morales Crazy Love Mix UK Edit) – 7:09 U.S. CD single (AM581194)[21] / Canadian CD single (31458 1194 2)[22] / French CD single (581196.2)[23] / Japanese 3" CD single (PODM-1057)[24] LP version – 3:34 "When I Think of You" (Extended Morales House Mix 95) – 7:41 Italian double 12" single (IMP 522)[25] Junior's Factory Mix – 9:06 Junior's Tribal Dub – 4:39 Steve "Silk" Hurley House Mix – 6:58 Torin's Radio Edit – 4:40 Junior's Factory Dub – 6:57 Junior's Factory Mix w/ Vocal Sample – 6:55 "When I Think of You" (Deep Dish Chocolate City Mix) – 9:35 "When I Think of You" (Deep Dish Quiet Storm Dub) – 7:50

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1995) Peak position Australian Singles Chart[26] 8 Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)[26] 41 Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia)[26] 27 Canadian Singles Chart[27] 2 Danish Singles Chart[28] 17 Dutch Top 40[29] 32 European Hot 100 Singles[30] 35 Finnish Singles Chart[26] 8 French Singles Chart[26] 25 German Singles Chart[31] 39 Italian Singles Chart[32] 3 Irish Singles Chart[33] 10 New Zealand Singles Chart[26] 3 Scottish Singles Chart[34] 8 Swedish Singles Chart[26] 25 Swiss Singles Chart[26] 24 UK Singles Chart[35] 6 UK R&B Singles Chart[36] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[37] 3 US Billboard Hot R&B Singles[37] 6 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[37] 8 US Billboard Adult Contemporary[37] 7

Year-end charts Chart (1995) Position Australian Singles Chart[38] 37 Canada Dance (RPM)[39] 36 US Billboard Hot 100[40] 29 Chart (1996) Position US Billboard Hot 100[41] 84 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/Sales Australia (ARIA)[42] Gold 35,000^^ New Zealand (RMNZ)[43] Gold 5,000^* United Kingdom (BPI)[44] Silver 200,000^^ United States (RIAA)[4] Gold 500,000[5] ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. http://www.allmusic.com/album/runaway-mw0000175828
2. http://www.idolator.com/7564139/janet-jackson-runaway-michael-duet-scream-jimmy-jam
3. Fred, Bronson (September 16, 1995). "Janet Jackson Has Done It Again". Billboard. BPI Communications. 107 (37): 96. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved April 30, 2009.
4. "American single certifications – Janet Jackson – Runaway". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 10, 2015. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
5. "Best-Selling Records of 1995". Billboard. BPI Communications. 108 (3): 56. January 20, 1996. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
6. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/live-report-janet-jackson-19980710
7. https://books.google.com.br/books?id=vSUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA87&dq=janet+miss+you+much&hl=pt-BR&sa=X&ei=fh6bVdjXBcOZwgT73pGQAQ&ved=0CEQQ6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=janet%20miss%20you%20much&f=false
8. http://www.rap-up.com/2008/09/18/review-janet-jackson-gets-fierce-freaky-in-los-angeles/
9. Janet Jackson - Runaway
10. Janet Jackson - Runaway
11. Janet Jackson Runaway USA Promo 5" CD SINGLE (57046)
12. Janet Jackson - Runaway
13. Janet Jackson - Runaway
14. Janet Jackson Runaway Australia 5" CD SINGLE (52590)
15. Janet Jackson - Runaway
16. Janet Jackson - Runaway
17. Janet Jackson - Runaway / When I Think Of You
18. Janet Jackson - Runaway / When I Think Of You
19. Janet Jackson - Runaway / When I Think Of You
20. Janet Jackson - Runaway / When I Think Of You
21. Janet Jackson Runaway USA 5" CD SINGLE (53405)
22. Janet Jackson - Runaway / When I Think Of You
23. Janet Jackson Runaway France 5" CD SINGLE (55775)
24. Janet Jackson Runaway Japan 3" CD SINGLE (50541)
25. Janet Jackson - Runaway / When I Think Of You (Remixes)
26. "Janet Jackson – Runaway – swisscharts.com". swisscharts.com. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
27. "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved July 3, 2016.
28. "Janet in Denmark". MJJ Charts. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
29. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 42–1995". Radio 538 (in Dutch). Top 40. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
30. "Chart Data: Janet Jackson". mariah-charts.com. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
31. "Musicline.de – Chartverfolgung – Janet Jackson – Runaway". Media Control (in German). Musicline.de. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
32. "Italian Charts". IFPI. ifpi.com. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
33. "The Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. irishcharts.ie. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
34. "Chart Stats – Janet Jackson – Runaway". The Official Charts Company. Chart Stats. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
35. "Chart Stats – Janet Jackson – Runaway". The Official Charts Company. Chart Stats. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
36. "Chart Stats – Janet Jackson – Runaway". The Official Charts Company. Chart Stats. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
37. "Design of a Decade: 1986-1996 > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
38. "End Of Year Aria Chart - 1995". ARIA. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
39. Canada Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1995
40. "Billboard Top 100 - 1995". Retrieved 2010-08-27.
41. "Billboard Top 100 - 1996". Retrieved 2010-08-27.
42. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1995 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
43. "New Zealand single certifications – Janet Jackson – Runaway". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
44. "British single certifications – Janet Jackson – Runaway". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 10, 2015. Enter Runaway in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics