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| type = single
| type = single
| artist = [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]]
| artist = [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]]
| album = Runaround Sue
| album = [[Runaround Sue (album)|Runaround Sue]]
| B-side = Runaway Girl
| B-side = Runaway Girl
| released = September 1961<ref>{{cite book|last=Strong|first=M. C.|title=The Great Rock Discography|year=1995|publisher=Canongate Books Ltd|location=Edinburgh|isbn=0-86241-385-0|page=220}}</ref>
| released = September 1961<ref>{{cite book|last=Strong|first=M. C.|title=The Great Rock Discography|year=1995|publisher=Canongate Books Ltd|location=Edinburgh|isbn=0-86241-385-0|page=220}}</ref>
| format =
| format =
| recorded =
| recorded =
| studio =
| studio = [[Bell Sound Studios|Bell Sound]] (New York City)
| venue =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|[[Rock and roll]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Unterberger |first=Richie |author-link=Richie Unterberger |url=http://www.allmusic.com/song/runaround-sue-mt0010829489 |title=Runaround Sue – Dion &#124; Song Info |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref><ref name= "Marsh 1989">{{cite book|first=Dave|last=Marsh|title=The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5t5DYDniSHEC|date=1989|publisher=[[Plume (publisher)|Plume]]|isbn=0-452-26305-0|page=82}}</ref>|[[doo wop]]<ref name= "Breihan 2018">{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Breihan |title= The Number Ones: Dion's "Runaround Sue"|website= [[Stereogum]] |date= April 9, 2018 |url= https://www.stereogum.com/1990365/the-number-ones-dions-runaround-sue/columns/the-number-ones/|quote= ...a truly great pop song ["Runaround Sue"] that flaunts a toxic viewpoint...I’m not asking a 58-year-old doo-wop song to be woke...|accessdate= June 9, 2023}}</ref>|[[Pop music|pop]]<ref name= "Breihan 2018">{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Breihan |title= The Number Ones: Dion's "Runaround Sue"|website= [[Stereogum]] |date= April 9, 2018 |url= https://www.stereogum.com/1990365/the-number-ones-dions-runaround-sue/columns/the-number-ones/|quote= ...a truly great pop song ["Runaround Sue"] that flaunts a toxic viewpoint...I’m not asking a 58-year-old doo-wop song to be woke...|accessdate= June 9, 2023}}</ref>}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Doo-wop]]|[[rock and roll]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Unterberger |first=Richie |author-link=Richie Unterberger |url=http://www.allmusic.com/song/runaround-sue-mt0010829489 |title=Runaround Sue - Dion &#124; Song Info |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref>}}
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=41}}
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=41}}
| label = [[Laurie Records|Laurie]]
| label = [[Laurie Records|Laurie]]
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}}
}}


"'''Runaround Sue'''" is a [[rock and roll]] song, in a modified [[doo-wop]] style, originally a US No. 1 hit for the singer [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]] during 1961 after he split with the [[Dion and the Belmonts|Belmonts]]. It was written by Dion with [[Ernie Maresca]], and tells the story of a disloyal lover. The song ranked No. 351 on the ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' list of "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]".<ref name=rollingstone>{{cite magazine|title=500 Greatest Songs of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/dion-runaround-sue-20110526|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 12, 2014}}</ref>
"'''Runaround Sue'''" is a [[rock and roll]] song (in a modified [[doo-wop]] style), originally a US No. 1 [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] hit (No. 4 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B]] chart)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dailydoowop.com/dion-runaround-sue/ | title=Dion Runaround Sue &#124; Daily Doo Wop | date=January 23, 2019 }}</ref> for the singer [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]] during 1961, after he split with the [[Dion and the Belmonts|Belmonts]]. It was written by Dion with [[Ernie Maresca]], and tells the story of a disloyal lover. The song ranked No. 351 on the ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' list of "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]".<ref name=rollingstone>{{cite magazine|title=500 Greatest Songs of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/dion-runaround-sue-20110526|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=February 12, 2014}}</ref>


In 2002, Dion was inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]] for "Runaround Sue".<ref>https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-story-behind-runaround-sue-1452616310 {{Bare URL inline|date=March 2022}}</ref>
In 2002, Dion was inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]] for "Runaround Sue".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-story-behind-runaround-sue-1452616310|title=The Story Behind 'Runaround Sue'|first=Marc|last=Myers|date=January 12, 2016|access-date=March 26, 2022|website=Wsj.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/hall-of-fame#r |title=GRAMMY Hall of Fame &#124; GRAMMY.org |website=www.grammy.org |access-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626200735/https://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/hall-of-fame#r |archive-date=26 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


== Dion version ==
== Dion version ==
=== Writing and recording ===
=== Writing and recording ===
According to Dion, he started to put the song together at an informal party for a friend's birthday, where he started improvising lyrics and encouraged his friends to add doo-wop background harmonies to a clapping rhythm. He then took the idea to his friend, budding songwriter [[Ernie Maresca]], and they developed the tune and lyrics together. Having recently split with [[the Belmonts]], Dion then discovered another vocal group, [[the Del-Satins]], and they rehearsed the song. The co-owner of [[Laurie Records]] (Gene Schwartz) liked the song, and it was recorded in summer 1961 at the Bell Sound [[recording studio]] in New York City.<ref name=myers>{{cite book |last=Myers|first=Marc |author-link= Marc Myers|date=2016 |title=Anatomy of a Song |publisher=Grove Press |pages=35–39 |isbn=978-1-61185-525-8}}</ref>
According to Dion, he started to put the song together at an informal party for a friend's birthday, where he started improvising lyrics and encouraged his friends to add doo-wop background harmonies to a clapping rhythm. He then took the idea to his friend, budding songwriter [[Ernie Maresca]], and they developed the tune and lyrics together. Having recently split with [[the Belmonts]], Dion then discovered another vocal group, [[the Del-Satins]], and they rehearsed the song. The co-owner of [[Laurie Records]] (Gene Schwartz) liked the song, and it was recorded in summer 1961 at [[Bell Sound Studios]] in New York City.<ref name=myers>{{cite book |last=Myers|first=Marc |author-link= Marc Myers|date=2016 |title=Anatomy of a Song |publisher=Grove Press |pages=35–39 |isbn=978-1-61185-525-8}}</ref>


The lyrics are sung from the point of view of a man whose former girlfriend, named Sue, was extremely unfaithful. He warns all potential lovers to avoid her at all costs, as Sue "runs around" with every guy she meets and never settles down with any man in particular. He advises: "now people let me put you wise, Sue goes out with other guys" and suggests that potential suitors should "keep away from Runaround Sue". Dion stated in his autobiography ''The Wanderer'' that although his wife's name was Susan, "Runaround Sue" had nothing to do with her, and elsewhere stated that the name Sue was of a girl he had admired from a distance and that "her name fit the lyric line perfectly."<ref name=myers/> However, during a 1990 interview with his wife on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'', they presented the story that the song ''was'' indeed about her.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMVdalv7Fg8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/pMVdalv7Fg8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=The Real-Life 'Runaround Sue' Who Inspired the Legendary Song |via=YouTube |date=August 18, 2016 |publisher=[[Oprah Winfrey Network (U.S. TV channel)|OWN]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In the same autobiography, he stated that the inspiration for the song came from the song "[[Quarter to Three]]" by [[Gary U.S. Bonds]], which had recently been released.<ref name=myers/>
The lyrics are sung from the point of view of a man whose former girlfriend, named Sue, was extremely unfaithful. He warns all potential lovers to avoid her at all costs, as Sue "runs around" with every guy she meets and never settles down with any man in particular. He advises: "now people let me put you wise, Sue goes out with other guys" and suggests that potential suitors should "keep away from Runaround Sue".
Dion stated in his autobiography ''The Wanderer'', that although his wife's name was Susan, "Runaround Sue" had nothing to do with her. Elsewhere he stated that the name Sue was of a girl he had admired from a distance, and that "her name fit the lyric line perfectly."<ref name=myers/> However, during a 1990 interview with his wife on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'', they presented the story that the song ''was'' indeed about her.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMVdalv7Fg8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/pMVdalv7Fg8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=The Real-Life 'Runaround Sue' Who Inspired the Legendary Song |via=YouTube |date=August 18, 2016 |publisher=[[Oprah Winfrey Network (U.S. TV channel)|OWN]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In the same autobiography, he stated that the inspiration for the song came from the song "[[Quarter to Three]]" by [[Gary U.S. Bonds]], which had recently been released.<ref name=myers/>


The musicians included:<ref name=myers/>
The musicians included:<ref name=myers/>
* Teacho Wiltshire - piano
* [[Teacho Wiltshire]] – piano
* [[Buddy Lucas (musician)|Buddy Lucas]] - saxophone
* [[Buddy Lucas (musician)|Buddy Lucas]] – saxophone
* [[Mickey Baker]] - guitar
* [[Mickey Baker]] – guitar
* [[Bucky Pizzarelli]] - rhythm guitar
* [[Bucky Pizzarelli]] – rhythm guitar
* [[Milt Hinton]] - bass
* [[Milt Hinton]] – bass
* [[Panama Francis]] - drums
* [[Panama Francis]] – drums


=== Chart performance ===
=== Chart performance ===
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{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1961–62)
!scope="col"|Chart (1961–1962)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
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| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|-
!scope="row" |Canada ([[CHUM (AM)|CHUM]])<ref>http://chumtribute.com/chumtribute-charts-61.html</ref>
!scope="row" |Canada ([[CHUM (AM)|CHUM]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chumtribute.com/chumtribute-charts-61.html|title=The CHUM Tribute Site: 1961 charts|website=Chumtribute.com|access-date=March 26, 2022}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
!scope="row" |New Zealand (''Lever Hit Parade'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=Lever%20hit%20parades&qyear=1962&qmonth=Jan&qweek=11-Jan-1962#n_view_location |title=flavour of new zealand - Lever hit parades |website=Flavourofnz.co.nz |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref>
!scope="row" |New Zealand (''Lever Hit Parade'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=Lever%20hit%20parades&qyear=1962&qmonth=Jan&qweek=11-Jan-1962#n_view_location |title=flavour of new zealand – Lever hit parades |website=Flavourofnz.co.nz |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
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|U.S. ''Billboard'' <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1961.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1961/Top 100 Songs of 1961 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref>
|U.S. ''Billboard'' <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1961.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1961/Top 100 Songs of 1961 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|46
| style="text-align:center;"|46
|}

==== All-time charts ====
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Chart (1958-2018)
! Position
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100-60th-anniversary|title=Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 December 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|478
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Dion|title=Runaround Sue|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2005|certyear=2024|accessdate=July 6, 2024|id=20155-6632-1}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
== Leif Garrett cover ==
== Leif Garrett cover ==
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
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| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| venue =
| genre = [[Bubblegum pop]]<ref name="Breithaupt 2000">{{cite book|title= Night Moves - Pop Music in the Late 70s|first1=Don|last1=Breithaupt|first2= Jeff|last2= Breithaupt|date= July 17, 2000|chapter= Sweathog Nation: Bubblegum|page= 31|publisher=[[St. Martin's Press|St. Martin's Griffin]]|isbn=978-0-312-19821-3|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kh04AwAAQBAJ&pg=PT95}}</ref>
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| length = {{Duration|m=|s=}}
| length = {{Duration|m=|s=}}
| label = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] 3110
| label = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] 3110
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| prev_title = Surfin' USA
| prev_title = Surfin' USA
| prev_year = 1977
| prev_year = 1977
| next_title = [[Put Your Head on My Shoulder]]
| next_title = [[Put Your Head on My Shoulder (song)|Put Your Head on My Shoulder]]
| next_year = 1978
| next_year = 1978
}}
}}


"Runaround Sue" was covered by then 15-year-old [[Leif Garrett]] in 1977. The song was the second of four releases from [[Leif Garrett (album)|his debut album]], all of which became U.S. chart hits. All four songs were covers of major hits from 1959 to 1963, including [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]]'s two biggest hits. Of the four, "Runaround Sue" was the most successful for Garrett. In early 1978, his version reached No. 13 on ''Billboard'' and No. 18 on ''[[Cash Box]]''. The song also reached No. 15 in Canada.<ref name="collectionscanada.gc.ca">{{cite web |url=https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5533a&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=c31r7corqoaerbbjcvtsluums4 |title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |access-date=September 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725144805/https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5533a&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=c31r7corqoaerbbjcvtsluums4 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
"Runaround Sue" was covered by then 15-year-old [[Leif Garrett]] in 1977. The song was the second of four releases from [[Leif Garrett (album)|his debut album]], all of which became U.S. chart hits. All four songs were covers of major hits from 1959 to 1963, including [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]]'s two biggest hits. Of the four, "Runaround Sue" was the most successful for Garrett. In early 1978, his version reached No. 13 on ''Billboard'' and No. 18 on ''[[Cash Box]]''. The song also reached No. 15 in Canada.<ref name="collectionscanada.gc.ca">{{cite web |url=https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5533a&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=c31r7corqoaerbbjcvtsluums4 |title=Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |access-date=September 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725144805/https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5533a&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=c31r7corqoaerbbjcvtsluums4 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


On [[WLS (FM)|WLS]]-AM in Chicago, "Runaround Sue" reached No. 1 for one week<ref>[http://www.oldiesloon.com/il/wls010778.htm WLS Musicradio Survey, January 7, 1978]</ref> and was ranked at No. 42 for the year.<ref>[http://www.oldiesloon.com/il/wls89of78.htm WLS Musicradio 'Big 89 of 1978'].</ref>
On [[WLS-FM|WLS]] in Chicago, "Runaround Sue" reached No. 1 for one week<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oldiesloon.com/il/wls010778.htm|title=wls010778|website=Oldiesloon.com|access-date=March 26, 2022}}</ref> and was ranked at No. 42 for the year.<ref>[http://www.oldiesloon.com/il/wls89of78.htm WLS Musicradio 'Big 89 of 1978'].</ref>


Garrett was born during the chart run of Dion's original version of "Runaround Sue," in the fall of 1961. Garrett's cover of the song hit the charts the week of his 16th birthday.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Garrett was born during the chart run of Dion's original version of "Runaround Sue," in the fall of 1961. Garrett's cover of the song hit the charts the week of his 16th birthday.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
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!align="left"|Peak<br />position
!align="left"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name="australian-charts1">{{cite web|first=Steffen |last=Hung |url=http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=35092 |title=Forum - 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts) |website=Australian-charts.com |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref>
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name="australian-charts1">{{cite web|first=Steffen |last=Hung |url=http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=35092 |title=Forum – 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts) |website=Australian-charts.com |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|8
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|-
|-
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| style="text-align:center;"|15
| style="text-align:center;"|15
|-
|-
|Canada [[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'']] Adult Contemporary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5555&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5555.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5555 |title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |access-date=December 12, 2016}}</ref>
|Canada ''RPM'' Adult Contemporary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5555&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5555.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5555 |title=Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=July 17, 2013 |access-date=December 12, 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|7
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|19|song=Runaround Sue|artist=Leif Garrett|songid=63256 }}
{{singlechart|Germany|19|song=Runaround Sue|artist=Leif Garrett|songid=63256 }}
|-
|-
|New Zealand ([[RIANZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4114 |title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart &#124; The Official New Zealand Music Chart |website=Nztop40.co.nz |date=April 2, 1978 |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref>
|New Zealand ([[Recorded Music NZ|RIANZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/1978-03-24 |title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart &#124; The Official New Zealand Music Chart |website=Nztop40.co.nz |date=April 2, 1978 |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|23
| style="text-align:center;"|23
|-
|-
|U.S. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990'' - {{ISBN|0-89820-089-X}}</ref>
|U.S. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990'' – {{ISBN|0-89820-089-X}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|13
| style="text-align:center;"|13
|-
|-
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! style="text-align:center;"|Rank
! style="text-align:center;"|Rank
|-
|-
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/0gmvDHH.jpg|title=Kent Music Report No 236 – 1 January 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1978|publisher=[[Kent Music Report]]|via=Imgur.com|access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="australian-charts1"/>
|Australia<ref name="australian-charts1"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|70
| style="text-align:center;"|70
|-
|-
|Canada<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0070b&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=ctskm3kf2e47sef5bf30noab62 |title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |access-date=September 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725153343/https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0070b&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=ctskm3kf2e47sef5bf30noab62 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|Canada<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0070b&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=ctskm3kf2e47sef5bf30noab62 |title=Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |access-date=September 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725153343/https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0070b&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=ctskm3kf2e47sef5bf30noab62 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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{{cite section|date=March 2022}}
{{cite section|date=March 2022}}
* An [[answer song]] "I'm No Run Around", with the same melody but different lyrics, was released in 1961 by Ginger Davis and the Snaps.
* An [[answer song]] "I'm No Run Around", with the same melody but different lyrics, was released in 1961 by Ginger Davis and the Snaps.
* [[Doug Sheldon]]'s version reached number 33 in the UK charts in 1961 (tailing behind "[[The Twist (song)|The Twist]]" at number 32).
* [[Doug Sheldon]]'s version reached No. 33 in the UK charts in 1961 (tailing behind "[[The Twist (song)|The Twist]]" at No. 32).
* [[Chubby Checker]] covered the song on his 1962 album ''For Teen Twisters Only''.
* [[Chubby Checker]] covered the song on his 1962 album ''[[For 'Teen Twisters Only]]''.
* In 1963, [[Del Shannon]] covered the song on his album ''[[Little Town Flirt]]''.
* In 1963, [[Del Shannon]] covered the song on his album [[Little Town Flirt (Del Shannon album)|Little Town Flirt]]. Dion also covered Del Shannon’s biggest solo hit, Runaway, in 2008.
* In 1963, Yugoslav group [[Bijele Strijele]] released the [[Serbo-Croatian]] cover of the song, entitled "Svi trče oko Sue".<ref name="janjatović30">{{cite book|last=Janjatović|first=Petar|title= EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960–2006|year=2007|publisher=self-released|location=Belgrade|page=30}}</ref>
* In 1963, Yugoslav group [[Bijele Strijele]] released the [[Serbo-Croatian]] cover of the song, entitled "Svi trče oko Sue".<ref name="janjatović30">{{cite book|last=Janjatović|first=Petar|title= EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960–2006|year=2007|publisher=self-released|location=Belgrade|page=30}}</ref>
* In 1977, Australian group [[Ol' 55 (band)|Ol' 55]] covered the song on their album ''[[Fiveslivejive]]''.
* In 1977, Australian group [[Ol' 55 (band)|Ol' 55]] covered the song on their album ''[[Fiveslivejive]]''.
* In 1980, English group [[Racey]] released a cover version which reached number 13 on the UK charts.
* In 1980, English group [[Racey]] released a cover version which reached No. 13 on the UK charts.
* [[John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band]] covered the song in 1983 for the movie ''[[Eddie and the Cruisers]]''.
* [[John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band]] covered the song in 1983 for the movie ''[[Eddie and the Cruisers]]''.
* [[Gary Glitter]] covered the song on ''C'mon... C'mon: The Gary Glitter Party Album'' (1997).
* [[Gary Glitter]] covered the song on ''C'mon... C'mon: The Gary Glitter Party Album'' (1997).
* [[G-Eazy]] sampled the song on his 2011 [[mixtape]] ''[[The Endless Summer (G-Eazy mixtape)|The Endless Summer]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/29/arts/music/g-eazy-shows-two-sides-at-irving-plaza.html|title=A Rapper Appropriating Dion's Cool|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|work=New York Times|date=March 28, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-14/entertainment/ct-ott-0215-g-eazy-20130214_1_sample-drake-doo|title= G-Eazy's musical education is an ongoing process|last=Stewart|first=Allison|work=Chicago Tribune|date=February 14, 2013}}</ref>
* [[G-Eazy]] sampled the song on his 2011 [[mixtape]] ''[[The Endless Summer (G-Eazy mixtape)|The Endless Summer]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/29/arts/music/g-eazy-shows-two-sides-at-irving-plaza.html|title=A Rapper Appropriating Dion's Cool|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|work=New York Times|date=March 28, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/02/14/g-eazys-musical-education-is-an-ongoing-process/|title= G-Eazy's musical education is an ongoing process|last=Stewart|first=Allison|work=Chicago Tribune|date=February 14, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Human Nature (band)|Human Nature]] covered the song on their 2014 album ''[[Jukebox (Human Nature album)|Jukebox]]''.
* [[Human Nature (band)|Human Nature]] covered the song on their 2014 album ''[[Jukebox (Human Nature album)|Jukebox]]''.
* [[Meghan Trainor]] sampled the song for her 2015 hit song "[[Dear Future Husband]]".
* [[Roberto Carlos (singer)|Roberto Carlos]] recorded a Portuguese version called "Fim de Amor".
* [[Roberto Carlos (singer)|Roberto Carlos]] recorded a Portuguese version called "Fim de Amor".
* [[Houndmouth]] covered the song in their performance for [[KEXP]].<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/c0y_J2zDsNQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150708160701/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0y_J2zDsNQ&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0y_J2zDsNQ| title = Houndmouth - Full Performance (Live on KEXP) | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[Houndmouth]] covered the song in their performance for [[KEXP-FM|KEXP]].<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/c0y_J2zDsNQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150708160701/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0y_J2zDsNQ&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0y_J2zDsNQ| title = Houndmouth – Full Performance (Live on KEXP) | website=[[YouTube]]| date = July 8, 2015 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* An answer song, entitled "Stay-At-Home Sue", was recorded by [[Linda Laurie]].
* An answer song, entitled "Stay-At-Home Sue", was recorded by [[Linda Laurie]].
* [[The Fratellis]] released a cover on the deluxe version of ''[[Half Drunk Under a Full Moon]]''.
* [[The Fratellis]] released a cover on the deluxe version of ''[[Half Drunk Under a Full Moon]]''.
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whosampled.com/Dion/Runaround-Sue/|title = Runaround Sue by Dion on WhoSampled|website = [[WhoSampled]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/8126|title = Cover versions of Runaround Sue by Dion &#124; SecondHandSongs|website = SecondHandSongs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/runaround-sue-mt0010829489|title = Runaround Sue – Dion &#124; Song Info &#124; AllMusic|website = [[AllMusic]]}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
{{cite section|date=March 2022}}
* In the 1994 movie ''[[Little Big League]]'', the [[Minnesota Twins]] had this song playing in the background during their final regular season series.
* [[Hibernian F.C.]] fans have used the song's backing track to their own lyrics from May 2016.
* Dion's version appears in a 2019 TV commercial for [[Applebee's]], promoting the chain's to-go menu.
* Dion's version is used in ''[[American Gods (TV series)|American Gods]]'' (episode 7 of season 1), during the tale of Essie and [[penal transportation]] to America.


== References ==
== References ==
Line 199: Line 188:


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-story-behind-runaround-sue-1452616310 The Story behind Runaround Sue]
* [https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-story-behind-runaround-sue-1452616310 The Story behind Runaround Sue]
* [https://youtube.com/watch?v=nyL1Z0Z5upY Official audio]
* {{YouTube|4NQLmUOgT5M|Dion - Runaround Sue}}
* {{YouTube|C5ylxs8ny38|Leif Garrett - Runaround Sue}}


{{Dion DiMucci|state=collapsed}}
{{Dion DiMucci}}
{{Leif Garrett}}
{{Leif Garrett}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Latest revision as of 06:41, 20 November 2024

"Runaround Sue"
Single by Dion
from the album Runaround Sue
B-side"Runaway Girl"
ReleasedSeptember 1961[1]
StudioBell Sound (New York City)
Genre
Length2:41
LabelLaurie
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Gene Schwartz
Dion singles chronology
"Somebody Nobody Wants"
(1961) 		"Runaround Sue"
(1961) 		"The Wanderer"
(1961)

"Runaround Sue" is a rock and roll song (in a modified doo-wop style), originally a US No. 1 Hot 100 hit (No. 4 on the Hot R&B chart)[5] for the singer Dion during 1961, after he split with the Belmonts. It was written by Dion with Ernie Maresca, and tells the story of a disloyal lover. The song ranked No. 351 on the Rolling Stone list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[6]

In 2002, Dion was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for "Runaround Sue".[7][8]

Dion version

[edit]

Writing and recording

[edit]

According to Dion, he started to put the song together at an informal party for a friend's birthday, where he started improvising lyrics and encouraged his friends to add doo-wop background harmonies to a clapping rhythm. He then took the idea to his friend, budding songwriter Ernie Maresca, and they developed the tune and lyrics together. Having recently split with the Belmonts, Dion then discovered another vocal group, the Del-Satins, and they rehearsed the song. The co-owner of Laurie Records (Gene Schwartz) liked the song, and it was recorded in summer 1961 at Bell Sound Studios in New York City.[9]

The lyrics are sung from the point of view of a man whose former girlfriend, named Sue, was extremely unfaithful. He warns all potential lovers to avoid her at all costs, as Sue "runs around" with every guy she meets and never settles down with any man in particular. He advises: "now people let me put you wise, Sue goes out with other guys" and suggests that potential suitors should "keep away from Runaround Sue".

Dion stated in his autobiography The Wanderer, that although his wife's name was Susan, "Runaround Sue" had nothing to do with her. Elsewhere he stated that the name Sue was of a girl he had admired from a distance, and that "her name fit the lyric line perfectly."[9] However, during a 1990 interview with his wife on The Oprah Winfrey Show, they presented the story that the song was indeed about her.[10] In the same autobiography, he stated that the inspiration for the song came from the song "Quarter to Three" by Gary U.S. Bonds, which had recently been released.[9]

The musicians included:[9]

Chart performance

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[16] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Leif Garrett cover

[edit]
"Runaround Sue"
Single by Leif Garrett
from the album Leif Garrett
B-side"I Wanna Share a Dream with You"
ReleasedNovember 1977
GenreBubblegum pop[17]
LabelAtlantic 3110
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Michael Lloyd
Leif Garrett singles chronology
"Surfin' USA"
(1977) 		"Runaround Sue"
(1977) 		"Put Your Head on My Shoulder"
(1978)

"Runaround Sue" was covered by then 15-year-old Leif Garrett in 1977. The song was the second of four releases from his debut album, all of which became U.S. chart hits. All four songs were covers of major hits from 1959 to 1963, including Dion's two biggest hits. Of the four, "Runaround Sue" was the most successful for Garrett. In early 1978, his version reached No. 13 on Billboard and No. 18 on Cash Box. The song also reached No. 15 in Canada.[18]

On WLS in Chicago, "Runaround Sue" reached No. 1 for one week[19] and was ranked at No. 42 for the year.[20]

Garrett was born during the chart run of Dion's original version of "Runaround Sue," in the fall of 1961. Garrett's cover of the song hit the charts the week of his 16th birthday.[citation needed]

Chart performance

[edit]

Other cover versions and samples

[edit]

[34][35][36]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Strong, M. C. (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Edinburgh: Canongate Books Ltd. p. 220. ISBN 0-86241-385-0.
  2. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Runaround Sue – Dion | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  3. ^ Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 82. ISBN 0-452-26305-0.
  4. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (April 9, 2018). "The Number Ones: Dion's "Runaround Sue"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 9, 2023. ...a truly great pop song ["Runaround Sue"] that flaunts a toxic viewpoint...I'm not asking a 58-year-old doo-wop song to be woke...
  5. ^ "Dion Runaround Sue | Daily Doo Wop". January 23, 2019.
  6. ^ "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  7. ^ Myers, Marc (January 12, 2016). "The Story Behind 'Runaround Sue'". Wsj.com. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  8. ^ "GRAMMY Hall of Fame | GRAMMY.org". www.grammy.org. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d Myers, Marc (2016). Anatomy of a Song. Grove Press. pp. 35–39. ISBN 978-1-61185-525-8.
  10. ^ "The Real-Life 'Runaround Sue' Who Inspired the Legendary Song". OWN. August 18, 2016. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ "The CHUM Tribute Site: 1961 charts". Chumtribute.com. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  12. ^ "flavour of new zealand – Lever hit parades". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  13. ^ "Dion: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  14. ^ "Dion Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  15. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1961/Top 100 Songs of 1961". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  16. ^ "British single certifications – Dion – Runaround Sue". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  17. ^ Breithaupt, Don; Breithaupt, Jeff (July 17, 2000). "Sweathog Nation: Bubblegum". Night Moves - Pop Music in the Late 70s. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-312-19821-3.
  18. ^ a b "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  19. ^ "wls010778". Oldiesloon.com. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  20. ^ WLS Musicradio 'Big 89 of 1978'.
  21. ^ a b Hung, Steffen. "Forum – 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  22. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. July 17, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  23. ^ "Leif Garrett – Runaround Sue" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  24. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. April 2, 1978. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  25. ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  26. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 94.
  27. ^ "Kent Music Report No 236 – 1 January 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1978". Kent Music Report. Retrieved January 8, 2022 – via Imgur.com.
  28. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  29. ^ "1978 Year End". Bullfrogspond.com. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  30. ^ Janjatović, Petar (2007). EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960–2006. Belgrade: self-released. p. 30.
  31. ^ Caramanica, Jon (March 28, 2014). "A Rapper Appropriating Dion's Cool". New York Times.
  32. ^ Stewart, Allison (February 14, 2013). "G-Eazy's musical education is an ongoing process". Chicago Tribune.
  33. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Houndmouth – Full Performance (Live on KEXP)". YouTube. July 8, 2015.
  34. ^ "Runaround Sue by Dion on WhoSampled". WhoSampled.
  35. ^ "Cover versions of Runaround Sue by Dion | SecondHandSongs". SecondHandSongs.
  36. ^ "Runaround Sue – Dion | Song Info | AllMusic". AllMusic.
[edit]
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