And I wonder where she will stay/
My little runaway…

Del Shannon’s “Runaway” was cutting edge rock/pop music when it was released in 1961. The song is remarkably innovative and show’s Shannon’s fearless experimentation (along with co-writer and keyboardist Max Crook). While the lyric is not detailed, we have no doubt about the sentiment behind them. And they are quite raw and personal–especially for that time.

The vocal is the highlight. Notice the transition in the vocal from the beginning of the song as it progresses. The song starts softer—it could almost go in the direction of the ballad. However, the pace of the song is surprisingly fast, and Shannon’s vocal’s and emotions are unleashed.

He is hurt, angry and confused about the fact that his girlfriend left him. He uses a falsetto brilliantly as he cries to the heavens “why!” would you leave me? This is one of the earliest uses of falsetto in pop/rock. Also, one of the best. The way his voice slightly strains at times helps to convey a floundering man is brilliant.

On any up-tempo song, the rhythm section must pull its weight and on “Runaway” we hear the bass really come to life. Listen to the great walking bassline. It is one of the first examples of a walking bass line in rock. The keyboard solo is unique and haunting. The piano playing during the verse is especially tight and advanced. Horns are mixed in to form a beautiful combination of sounds. Excellent production.

The most obvious innovation is a prototype electric keyboard called a Musitron-played by and invented by Max Crook. This provides one of the most memorable solos in music. The sound is so intrinsic to the song that it would be hard to imagine a cover of Runaway without it. Would it be recognizable? A couple similar songs with instruments so essential are Lucky Man, Good Vibrations, and If.

Runaway Lyrics
As I walk along, I wonder
A what went wrong whit our love
A love that was so strong

And as I still walk on
I think of the thing’s we’ve done
Together, while our hearts were young

I’m a walkin’ in the rain
Tears are fallin’ and I feel a pain
A wishin’ you were here by me
To end this misery
And I wonder, I wa wa wa wa wonder
Why a why why why why why
She ran away
And I wonder where she will stay
My little runaway
My run run run run runaway

I’m a walking in the rain
Tears are fallin’ and I feel a pain
A wishin’ you were here by me
To end this misery
And I wonder, I wa wa wa wa wonder
Why a why why why why why
She ran away
And I wonder where she will stay
My little runaway
A run run run run
Runaway

Written by Del Shannon and Max Crook

What can I do, still loving you/
It’s all a dream.

Tim Hardin’s “How Can We Hang On To A Dream” is a simple but beautiful song about a love that is falling apart. The narrator is clinging to the hope that the love can be rekindled, but we get the impression that for the woman the love is already over. The sorrow in Hardin’s voice betrays that he already knows—even though he still holds out the slimmest of hopes of reconciliation.

Both the music and the lyrics capture how surreal a breakup can seem. Your reality is changed very significantly. One day someone is the closest person to you and the next day they are out of your life forever. That reality can be devastating. Was it all a dream? I guess I have to start over again. Tomorrow is going to be so different than today.

“How Can We Hang On To A Dream” sounds so unique in its minimalism. It primarily features vocals and piano with contributions from strings and an understated percussion part. This is produced very well. It sounds very raw and there are no superfluous sounds or instruments to get in the way of the strong vocal. If there is anything lacking about this song it is its short length (2:03). Another minute and verse would have been welcome.

Hardin’s name might not sound familiar, but you’d probably recognize another all-time-great song he wrote: “Reason To Believe”.

How Can We Hang On To A Dream Lyrics

What can I say, she’s walking away,
From what we’ve seen.
What can I do, still loving you,
It’s all a dream.

How can we hang on to a dream?
How can it, will it be, the way it seems?

What can I do, she’s saying we’re through,
With how it was.
What will I try, I still don’t see why,
She says what she does.

How can we hang on to a dream?
How can it, will it be, the way it seems?

What can I say, she’s walking away,
From what we’ve seen.
What can I do, still loving you,
It’s all a dream.

How can we hang on to a dream?
How can it, will it be, the way it seems?
How can we hang on to a dream?

Songwriters: Tim Hardin