"Runaway"
Song by Ed Sheeran
from the album x
Released20 June 2014 (2014-06-20)
Genre
Length3:25
Label
Songwriter(s)Ed Sheeran, Pharrell Williams
Producer(s)Pharrell Williams

"Runaway" is a song written by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and American rapper and singer Pharrell Williams then it was recorded by the former for his second studio album, x (2014) which appeared as the ninth track.[1] The song was produced solely by Pharrell Williams.

Background

"Runaway" is the ninth track as well as the second and final track from the album that is produced by Pharrell Williams (the other being "Sing"). Described as "finger-clicking", it draws from the same influence, the sound of Justin Timberlake's debut album, that "Sing" does. Sheeran intended for the song to feature on a future project with Pharrell, but it was put on the album when he was persuaded to include "Sing".[2][3]

Lyrics

The lyrics of the song describes Sheeran who no longer is able to put up with the problems of his father and decides to run away with a girl to escape the toxic environment he once called home.

Planning to leave in the early hours of the morning with his packed necessities, he intended to flee to London to pursue his music career - an act he has followed through with at the age of 16.[4][5]

"Runaway wasn't even going to go on the record, it was just a cool jam I was going to use for a project down the line. I played it to Elton John and he said 'That's on your record right?' and I said 'No' and he told me I was an idiot, so it's on the record."[6]

Critical reception

In a Billboard track-by-track review, writer Jason Lipshutz stated: "The sassy soul of "Runaway" sounds like the perfection of the idea John Newman hatched on "Cheating," but the looped vocal snippet is Sheeran's specialty. This one is going to pop when presented live."[7]

Composition

"Runaway" is written in the key of G-sharp minor with the tempo of 95 BPM.[8]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from x album liner notes:[9]

  • Ed Sheeran – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, instrumentation, songwriting
  • Pharrell Williams – production and songwriting
  • Johnny McDaid – guitars, bass, backing vocals, percussion, piano
  • Jeff Bhasker – production, piano and keys
  • Geoff Swan – engineering
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
  • Ruadhri Cushnan – mixing
  • Stuart Hawkes – mastering
  • Coco Arquette – additional vocals
  • Andrew Coleman – recording, digital editing and arrangement
  • Courteney Cox – additional vocals
  • Eamon Harkin – additional vocals
  • Emile Haynie – additional production
  • Ramon Rivas – recording assistant
  • Rob Sucheki – recording assistant

Charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[10] 71

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[11] Gold 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[12] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[13] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ "Ed Sheeran Shares 'x' Track List". Billboard. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "Ed Sheeran interview: 'I don't make music for critics'". The Telegraph. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  3. ↑ "REVIEW: Ed Sheeran Multiplies His Appeal on x". Time. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  4. ↑ "Ed Sheeran interview: 'I don't make music for critics'". The Telegraph. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "Ed Sheeran - Runaway". Genius. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  6. ↑ Ed Sheeran Admits Don't Is The Celebrity Break-up Song So Harsh It Even Shocked Taylor Swift, news.com, retrieved 24 April 2022
  7. ↑ "Ed Sheeran, 'x': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  8. ↑ "Runaway". SheetMusicDirect. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  9. ↑ x (Deluxe Edition Compact Disc liner notes). Ed Sheeran. Warner Music. 2014.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ "Official Singles Chart UK Top 100 - 6th July 2014". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  11. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Runaway". Music Canada. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  12. ↑ "British single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Runaway". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  13. ↑ "American single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Runaway". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
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