music.wikisort.org - Composition

"It Keeps You Runnin'" is a song by the American rock band The Doobie Brothers. The song was written by band member Michael McDonald, and served as the third single from their sixth studio album Takin' It to the Streets. It was also covered and released as a single by Carly Simon.

"It Keeps You Runnin'"
Single by The Doobie Brothers
from the album Takin' It to the Streets
B-side	"Turn It Loose"
Released	October 5, 1976
Studio	Warner Bros. Studios, North Hollywood, California
Genre	Country rock,[1] blue-eyed soul
Length	4:20 (Album version) 4:07 (Single version)
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Michael McDonald
Producer(s)	Ted Templeman
The Doobie Brothers singles chronology
"Wheels of Fortune" (1976) "It Keeps You Runnin'" (1976) "Little Darling (I Need You)" (1977)

The Doobie Brothers version was featured in the 1994 Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump, and was included on the film's multi-platinum selling soundtrack album.[2]

The song was also featured in the soundtrack of the 1978 film FM.

Lyrics and music

According to Allmusic critic Jason Elias, the music of "It Keeps You Runnin'" reflects a "jazzy R&B influence" and "gospel-based keyboard shading."[3]

Elias described the lyrics as the singer "trying to talk some woman into listening to what her heart is trying to say -- the oldest trick in the book."[3]

Reception

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated "It Keeps You Runnin'" as the Doobie Brothers 10th greatest song, describing it as being "California-funky."[4]

Track listing

7" single

1. "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 4:20
2. "Turn It Loose" – 3:53

Personnel

• Michael McDonald – keyboards, vocals
• Patrick Simmons – guitar, backing vocals
• Jeff "Skunk" Baxter – guitar
• Tiran Porter – bass, backing vocals
• Keith Knudsen – drums, backing vocals
• John Hartman – drums

Additional Personnel

• Ted Templeman – percussion, producer
• Bobby LaKind – congas

Charts

Chart (1977)	Peak position
Billboard Pop Singles (Hot 100)[5]	37

Carly Simon version

"It Keeps You Runnin'"
Single by Carly Simon
from the album Another Passenger
B-side	"Look Me in the Eyes" (US) "Be With Me" (UK)
Released	1976
Genre	Rock, blue-eyed soul
Length	3:56 (single/album version)
Label	Elektra
Songwriter(s)	Michael McDonald
Producer(s)	Ted Templeman
Carly Simon singles chronology
"Waterfall" (1975) "It Keeps You Runnin'" (1976) "Nobody Does It Better" (1977)

American singer-songwriter and musician Carly Simon covered "It Keeps You Runnin'" for her sixth studio album Another Passenger, and the song served as the lead single. Simon's version charted on both the Billboard Pop singles chart and the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[6]

Billboard described it as an "interesting mid -tempo rocker" with a "jazzy feel" that has a powerful vocal performance by Simon.[7] Billboard specifically praised the guitar playing and the hook.[7] Cash Box said that Simon's "vocal is always clean and sensuous, and sensitive to the excellent backing," calling the song "an upbeat cut, with attractive chord changes and hook-filled lyric."[8]

The Doobie Brothers provided backing vocals on the track.[9] Ted Templeman produced both Simon's and The Doobie's versions, as well as each of their albums from which the song is featured.

Personnel

• Carly Simon – lead vocals, backing vocals
• Michael McDonald – keyboards
• Jeff Baxter – slide guitar
• Patrick Simmons – electric guitar
• Tiran Porter – bass
• John Hartman – drums
• Keith Knudsen – drums
• The Doobie Brothers – backing vocals

Track listing

7" single (US)

1. "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 3:56
2. "Look Me In The Eyes" – 3:34

7" single (UK)

1. "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 3:56
2. "Be with Me" – 1:53

Charts

Chart (1976)	Peak position
Billboard Pop Singles (Hot 100)[10]	46
Adult Contemporary[11]	27

References

External links

• The Doobie Brothers Official Website
• Michael McDonald's Official Website
• Carly Simon's Official Website

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