"You Better Run" is a song by the Young Rascals. Written by group members Eddie Brigati and Felix Cavaliere, it was released as the band's third single in 1966 and reached the top 20 in the United States. This song is noted for its repeated roller coaster musical chords in the bass guitar, going from C to B Flat to C to E Flat to B Flat to C.
"You Better Run" | ||||
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![]() U.S. single picture sleeve | ||||
Single by the Young Rascals | ||||
from the album Groovin' | ||||
B-side | "Love Is a Beautiful Thing" | |||
Released | May 30, 1966 (1966-05-30) | |||
Recorded | May 9, 1966 (1966-05-09) | |||
Studio | A&R Studios, New York | |||
Genre |
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Length | 2:25 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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The Young Rascals singles chronology | ||||
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A review in a 1966 issue of Billboard magazine described the song as a "big-beat wailer" and a "strong follow-up to 'Good Lovin''".[1] In the book Pioneers of Rock and Roll, author Harry Sumrall wrote that the song represented the apex of the band's sound and complimented guitarist Gene Cornish's "slashing chords".[2] AllMusic's Matthew Greenwald called it "a classic garage rocker with a punkish energy [that] showcased the band's live chops to a great effect, as well as Felix Cavaliere's awesome soul-inflected vocals."[3]
Music journalist Fred Bronson noted that "You Better Run" was a commercial disappointment, having peaked at number 20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 after their previous single, "Good Lovin'", had reached number one.[4] The Cavaliere and Gene Cornish composition "Love Is a Beautiful Thing" was included as the single's B-side.
Chart (1966) | Peak position |
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Canada RPM Magazine | 22 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[4] | 20 |
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 | 23 |
"You Better Run" | ||||
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![]() German single picture sleeve | ||||
Single by Pat Benatar | ||||
from the album Crimes of Passion | ||||
B-side | "Out-A-Touch" | |||
Released | July 8, 1980 (1980-07-08) | |||
Genre | Hard rock | |||
Length | 3:04 | |||
Label | Chrysalis | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Keith Olsen | |||
Pat Benatar singles chronology | ||||
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Pat Benatar recorded "You Better Run" for her second album, Crimes of Passion (1980). The song was released as the album's lead single, with "Out-A-Touch" as the B-side. It peaked at number 42 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 44 on the Cash Box Top 100.[5] The song appeared on the soundtrack to the 1980 film Roadie.[6]
On August 1, 1981, the music video for the song was the second video ever broadcast on MTV, after the network premiered with "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles.[7]
Chart (1980) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] | 31 |
France (IFOP)[9] | 55 |
New Zealand (RIANZ)[10] | 42 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[5] | 42 |
In 1966, with the band Listen, Robert Plant made his recording debut singing lead vocals on a cover version of "You Better Run", which was released as a single by CBS Records.[11][12]
In 1966, the N' Betweens, who later became the British rock band Slade, covered the song, which was released as their debut single on Columbia. It was produced by Kim Fowley and reached number one on the local Midlands chart and remained there for six weeks.[13][14] The Listen and N' Betweens versions were released on the same day.
Canadian pop-rock band, Toronto_(band), included a cover of You Better Run on their debut album, Looking for Trouble, in 1980.
Peter Criss recorded the song on his first post-KISS solo album Out of Control in 1980.
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The Young Rascals |
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The Rascals |
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