music.wikisort.org - Composition

Search / Calendar

"Runaway" is a song by Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora, included in her debut extended play (EP) Running with the Wolves (2015) and debut album All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend (2016). It was released on 7 February 2015 by Decca and Glassnote Records as the lead single of both projects. The song was written by Aurora with Magnus Skylstad and produced by the latter with Odd Martin Skålnes. Musically, "Runaway" is a downtempo folktronica, synth-pop, electronic, and electropop song with influences from Nordic-folk music. The track's lyrics express escaping reality and realising the need to return home.

"Runaway"
Single by Aurora
from the EP Running with the Wolves and the album All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend
Released7 February 2015 (2015-02-07)
Recorded2013–2014
StudioLydriket (Bergen)
Genre
  • Folktronica
  • synth-pop
  • electronic
  • electropop
Length4:08
Label
  • Decca
  • Glassnote
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Odd Martin Skålnes
  • Magnus Skylstad
Aurora singles chronology
"Under Stars"
(2014)		 "Runaway"
(2015)		 "Running with the Wolves"
(2015)
Music video
"Runaway" on YouTube

"Runaway" was lauded by music critics, who praised its musical style and lyrical content. In spring 2021, the song went viral on the video-sharing platform TikTok, resulting in new chart successes and streams on various platforms.[1][2] Although "Runaway" did not enter the US Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at number one on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart for two weeks. The song also charted in various countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, Germany, and Ireland.

The song was certified platinum in Norway by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and gold in the United States and the United Kingdom by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), respectively. An accompanying music video directed by Kenny McCracken was released on 26 June 2017 and it features Aurora walking through various landscapes of Bergen while singing the song. Aurora included "Runaway" on the setlist of her All My Demons Tour (2016). The song was later included on her first compilation EP For the Humans Who Take Long Walks in the Forest (2021).


Background and release


Runaway became Aurora's first collaboration with producer Magnus Skylstad (pictured), who would later take a major role in the singer's career.
"Runaway" became Aurora's first collaboration with producer Magnus Skylstad (pictured), who would later take a major role in the singer's career.

Aurora began playing piano at age six, and she wrote most of the songs of her debut album, including "Runaway" at a young age. She began writing the song when she was 11 or 12 years old and created the melody on the piano she had at her home, which took an hour approximately.[3] The demo of the song was produced by Magnus Skylstad and became available in the By:larm website in late 2013.[4][5] In 2014, Aurora signed a recording contract with Petroleum Records in Norway, Glassnote Records in North America, and Decca Records in the rest of the world.[6] "Runaway" was eventually re-recorded on winter 2014 at Lydriket Studios in Bergen.[7][8]

On 7 February 2015 the song was released worldwide as the lead single of her debut EP Running with the Wolves. The track was later included as the lead single of her debut album All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend, released in March 2016. Due to the popularity in streaming services and the six-year anniversary of "Runaway" in 2021, Aurora released a series of compilation EPs that contained her released songs at the time.[9] The song was eventually included on the compilation EP For the Humans Who Take Long Walks in the Forest, released on 4 February.[10] She also released two acoustic versions of the song: a guitar acoustic version on 5 March[11] and a piano acoustic version on 11 March.[12] A revamped version titled "Runaway (Lvl.2)" was released on 7 May.[13]


Composition and lyrical interpretation


"Runaway" is a downtempo folktronica,[2] synth-pop,[14] electronic,[15] and electropop song[16] with influences from Nordic-folk music.[17] Its sparse production contains "echoing water droplet effects, creeping screeches, and windswept transitions."[18] According to sheet music website Musicnotes.com, "Runaway" runs at a moderately slow tempo of 58 beats per minute (BPM), and is played in the key of A minor. Aurora's vocals span a range between the notes of A3 and E5.[19] Her vocals were compared to those of Emilie Nicolas,[15] Florence Welch, and Joni Mitchell.[14] Aurora said she wanted "Runaway" to open All My Demons Greeting Me As a Friend because she felt the song "puts people in the right mood and mind for the rest of it."[20]

Lyrically, the song is about escapism and "realising you want to get home again."[21] Aurora expanded that "home" for her refers to "where my parents are," which was something she reflected while touring.[22] In an interview with The 405 she said: "It's strange how this song fits my life better now that I could ever imagine when I wrote the song itself. It's about how important it is to have a soft place to fall".[23] According to Aurora, the lyrics "came out of nowhere" and the lyrics became meaningful to her after she grew up.[3] The singer has stated that "Runaway" is one of the few songs from her debut album to be about her.[24] The verses cover various topics like "climbing trees, painting pictures, and dancing in the rain."[25] At the chorus of the song she begs "Take me home, home where I belong."[26]


Critical reception


"Runaway" received general acclaim from music critics.[27] Robin Murray of Clash called the song "a graceful return" and lauded the singer's mature songwriting.[28] Miranda Feneberger from Paste wrote that the track "channels a soft power".[14] Alexandra Pollard for Gigwise noted in her review of All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend that "there's an eeriness lurking beneath the beauty of opening track, she added that "its cavernous clicks and echoes make themselves at home before it bursts into something warmer." She also labeled its lyrics as "unsettling."[29] A writer for Rolling Stone called the song a "viral lullaby."[30] Will Hodgkinson of The Times characterised "Runaway" to be "about feeling lost that has a poetic wisdom belying her 19 years." He praised how Aurora "uses her clear and unadorned tones to good effect" in the song.[31] Marcy Donelson of AllMusic was less favourable towards "Runaway", she pointed out that the song "turn[s] out to be the average of what the substantial LP offers rather than standouts."[18] The song received praise from American singer-songwriter Katy Perry, tweeting that the song is "makes my [heart] a flutter".[32] Australian singer-songwriter Troye Sivan also commented about the song, saying it is "100% my fave [sic] song at the minute."[33] Aurora was awarded a NOPA grant of kr 30,000 for this song in 2014.[34]


Commercial breakthrough


Upon its release, "Runaway" was streamed over a million times in six weeks on streaming platform Spotify.[35] The song did not impact any record charts until it gained attention in 2021 with a trend on video-sharing platform TikTok.[36] The trend consisted of using a filter that changed the backlighting of a video to a "night" background for several times.[37]


Music video



Background and synopsis


A music video for the song was released on Aurora's official YouTube channel via Vevo on 27 February 2015. It was directed by Kenny McCracken, who would later direct the videos for "Conqueror", "Half the World Away" and the acoustic version of "Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)". The video was filmed in early 2015 in various landscapes of Bergen (near Aurora's hometown) and took 3 days to do it.[38] About filming the video, Aurora told in an interview with NME: "It was extremely cold... I didn't have a lot of clothes. We were stood in the middle of the snow for a lot of hours. I was sick for a lot of time after, which I always am after a video because I insist to have them outside in the cold."[3] Aurora appears wearing a parka and a wool jumper as the video progresses. In one scene she is seen sleeping in the ground.[25] The music video is Aurora's most successful music video as a solo artist, and as of June 2022 it has accumulated more than 425 million views.


Reception


Clash's Robin Murray wrote that the clip "neatly counterpoints the gentle fragility in Aurora's own music."[39] American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish credits the video of this song as one of the reasons she began working on music.[40]


Live performances and usage in media


Aurora performing in 2015 at the Way Back When Festival.
Aurora performing in 2015 at the Way Back When Festival.

Aurora has promoted "Runaway" through a number of live performances. She first sang it on 20 February 2014 among some of her songs at the Nabovarsel Minifestival in Bergen, being her first "real" performance with a band. She also performed the song at the 2014 festivals of by:Larm and Øyafestivalen. These performances depicted the demo version of the song rather than the final one.[41] Aurora first performed the official version of the song in 2 July 2015 during the talk show Lindmo.[42] In November 2015 she performed an acoustic version of the song with "Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)" and "Running with the Wolves" at NPR Tiny Desk. Aurora also performed "Runaway" at the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Concert along with "Half the World Away" and "Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)". She performed the song along with others from her debut album in a concert promoted by Honda Stage at the Bowery Ballroom to promote All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend.[43] The song was added to the setlist of her 2016 All My Demons Tour.[44]

"Runaway" was used at the finale of the third season of the Fox American television psychological thriller series The Following.[45]


Track listings and formats



Credits and personnel


Credits adapted from the liner notes of All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend.[8]


Recording and management



Personnel



Charts



Certifications


Certifications for "Runaway"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Italy (FIMI)[79] Gold 35,000
Norway (IFPI Norway)[80] Platinum 60,000
Poland (ZPAV)[81] Platinum 50,000
Portugal (AFP)[82] Gold 10,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[83] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[84] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.


References


  1. Trendell, Andrew (9 April 2021). "Aurora's 'Runaway' soars up the charts following TikTok success". NME. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  2. Cospey, Rob (12 April 2021). "AURORA's 2016 single Runaway is climbing the charts thanks to TikTok: "People are so beautiful!"". Official Charts. Retrieved 12 April 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Trendell, Andrew. "AURORA opens up about 'Runaway' – the song that inspired Billie Eilish". NME. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  4. "Demo of Runaway". by:larm. Archived from the original on 1 December 2013.
  5. "demo of Runaway song".
  6. Aslaug Olette Klausen (27 November 2015). "Slik ble Aurora til". Ballade.no. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  7. "Song Exploder – Aurora". Song Exploder. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
    "Song Exploder – Aurora – Transcript" (PDF). Song Exploder. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  8. All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend (booklet). Aurora. Decca Records. 2016. 4737926.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. Lavin, Will (3 February 2021). "AURORA to celebrate six-year anniversary of 'Runaway' with new EP and livestream". NME. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  10. "For the Humans Who Take Long Walks In the Forest - EP". Apple Music. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  11. @auroramusic (5 March 2021). "Hello my darlings, I wanted to do a little acoustic version of "Runaway" for you all. It's very simple. And it's very honest. And it's a little piece of the core from which Runaway was born from 🌙✨💫" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. "Runaway (Piano Acoustic)". iTunes Store. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  13. @auroramusic (7 May 2021). "we had to make a little baby-radio-runaway and its very cute" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. Feneberger, Miranda (10 March 2016). "All My Demons Greeting Me As a Friend Review". Paste. Retrieved 11 July 2021.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. The Line of Best Fit (16 February 2015). "Listen: Aurora - "Runaway" Premiere". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  16. Elmahdi, Adam (21 September 2015). "Aurora leads a joyous celebration of melancholy in East London". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  17. Ginsberg, Gab (6 December 2019). "Aurora Explains How She Became the 'Voice of the Mountains' For 'Frozen 2's 'Into the Unknown'". Billboard. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  18. Donelson, Marcy (4 April 2016). "All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend - Aurora". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  19. "Aurora 'Runaway' Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  20. Grand-Pierre, Ken (1 July 2016). "A conversation with Aurora: "Music can change you, and that intrigues me."". The 405. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  21. Hannah, Andrew (21 May 2015). "Aurora interviewed: "I started to write songs in the first place to help myself get through things."". The 405. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  22. Jupp, Emily (14 March 2016). "Singer Aurora on her debut album and the John Lewis Christmas advert". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  23. "Track-by-Track: Aurora's All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend". The 405. 11 March 2016. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  24. O'Flynn, Brian (12 September 2018). "Aurora interview: 'None of my songs are about me'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  25. "AURORA Shares Video For 'Runaway'". DIY. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  26. Vain, Madison (11 March 2016). "AURORA's 'All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend': EW Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  27. Wass, Mike (11 December 2015). "Aurora Reveals The Cover And Tracklist Of Debut LP 'All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend'". Idolator. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  28. Murray, Robin (16 February 2015). "Listen: Aurora – 'Runaway'". Clash. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  29. Pollard, Alexandra (10 March 2016). "Album of the week: Aurora - All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend". Gigwise. Retrieved 12 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. "10 New Artists You Need to Know: January 2016". Rolling Stone. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  31. Hodgkinson, Will (11 March 2016). "Pop: Aurora: All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend". The Times. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  32. @katyperry (4 March 2015). "Finally. New music that makes my ❤️a flutter. Check this 17 yr old angel @AURORAmusic RUNAWAY" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. @troyesivan (13 March 2015). "also this is 100% my fave song at the minute" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. "NOPA-stipendet". NOPA.com. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  35. Gaweska, Katarzyna (12 September 2016). "Aurora: to świetne uczucie wiedzieć, że Katy Perry jest moją fanką". Kultura. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  36. Fynn, Jessica (8 July 2021). ""Inspired By The Light And The Dark" Clash Meets AURORA". Clash. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  37. Frankenberg, Eric (21 April 2021). "Aurora Achieving 'Runaway' Success on Billboard Global Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  38. "Music video for Aurora Runaway by Other Finger". Creative Commission. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  39. Murray, Robin (27 February 2015). "Aurora – 'Runaway'". Clash. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  40. Smith, Krista (31 May 2018). "Billie Eilish: The Young Upstart with Co-Signs from Lorde and Halsey". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  41. "Nabovarsel minifestival: Aurora Aksnes". Srib.no (in Norwegian). 21 February 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  42. Aurora (7 February 2015). "My First TV interview turned out to be.. Quite awkward, but....interesting! You'll know what I mean if you watch it 10pm at NRK1 tonight. You'll also see me performing "Runaway" live". Facebook. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  43. Aurora (7 February 2015). "HQ: Honda Stage captured the sold out show at The Bowery Ballroom in New York and now you can watch it here!". Facebook. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  44. "Average setlist for tour: All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend - AURORA". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  45. "S3E15: The Reckoning - The Following Soundtrack". Tunefind.com. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  46. "Runaway (CDr, Single, Promo)". Discogs. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  47. "Runaway – Single". iTunes Store. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  48. "Runaway: Aurora". Amazon (US). Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  49. "Runaway (Guitar Acoustic)". iTunes Store. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  50. "Runaway (Lvl.2)". iTunes Store. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  51. "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  52. "Aurora %5BNO%5D – Runaway" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  53. "Aurora %5BNO%5D – Runaway" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  54. "Aurora Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  55. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202116 into search. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  56. "Top Singles (Week 15, 2021)". SNEP. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  57. "Aurora %5BNO%5D – Runaway" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  58. "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 21/2021". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  59. "Aurora Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  60. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  61. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  62. "Top 20 Charts". Indian Music Industry. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 21 June 2021. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  63. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  64. "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 16" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  65. "2021 17-os SAVAITĖS (balandžio 23-29 d.) SINGLŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 30 April 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  66. "Aurora – Runaway" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  67. "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-17". VG-lista. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  68. "Aurora %5BNO%5D – Runaway". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  69. "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202116 into search. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  70. "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 17" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  71. "Aurora %5BNO%5D – Runaway". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  72. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  73. "Aurora Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  74. "Aurora Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  75. "Aurora Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  76. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  77. "Top 1000 Singles + EPs Digitais: Semanas 01 a 52 de 2021" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  78. "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  79. "Italian single certifications – Aurora – Runaway" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 30 October 2022. Select "2021" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Runaway" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  80. "Norwegian single certifications – Aurora – Runaway" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  81. "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  82. "Portuguese single certifications – Aurora – Runaway" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  83. "British single certifications – Aurora – Runaway". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  84. "American single certifications – Aurora – Runaway". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 6 July 2021.



На других языках

- [en] Runaway (Aurora song)

[es] Runaway (canción de Aurora)

«Runaway» es el sencillo principal y la primera canción de la cantante noruega Aurora en su EP Running with the Wolves y en el álbum All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend. La canción fue escrita por Aurora y Magnus Skylstad y producido por Odd Martin Skålnes y Skylstad. La canción fue lanzada el 7 de febrero de 2015.


Текст в блоке "Читать" взят с сайта "Википедия" и доступен по лицензии Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike; в отдельных случаях могут действовать дополнительные условия.

Другой контент может иметь иную лицензию. Перед использованием материалов сайта WikiSort.org внимательно изучите правила лицензирования конкретных элементов наполнения сайта.

2019-2025
WikiSort.org - проект по пересортировке и дополнению контента Википедии