How Slade's 1984 Hit 'Run, Runaway' Revived Their Career
How Slade's 1984 Hit 'Run, Runaway' Revived Their Career
Jacqueline Burt CoteThu, April 9, 2026 at 11:55 PM UTC
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During the height of Slade's success in the '70s, the glam rockers were so enormously popular that they had 17 consecutive top 20 hits, including six number ones...or at least, that was the case in the U.K., where the band's "Merry Xmas Everybody" remains one of the best-selling Christmas singles of all time.
Unfortunately, they didn't have as much success with American listeners, and after moving to the U.S., Slade's rise to international stardom seemed to stall. Then, one song changed everything.
Released in 1984 as the lead single from Slade's album Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply (titled The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome in the U.K.), "Run, Runaway" gave Slade the breakthrough they'd been waiting for in the U.S., peaking at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 16, 1984.
Described by frontman Noddy Holder as "a rocky Scottish jig," the tune couldn't be catchier; AllMusic praised the track for its "raucous chanting, swirling guitars, wild violin, and even a taste of heavy metal bagpipes, helped along by a drum sound that is pure early '80s."
"We always wanted to do one a jig with the old violin going and that," Holder said in a 1984 TV interview, adding, "We decided to go in and put a sort of rock beat behind a Scottish jig."
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As for what the song is about, well, that's anybody's guess. The lyrics are pretty ambiguous:
"Oh, now can't you wait? / Love don't come on a plate / Oh, now can't you wait? / Run, runaway / See the chameleon / Lying there in the sun / All thanks to everyone / Run, runaway"
Of course, the non-specific words make the tune that much easier to sing (and dance) along with. The song did start out as a jig, after all.
While "Run, Runaway" was Slade's only top 20 hit in the U.S., it definitely helped to cement the band's legacy as one of the most beloved bands of the genre (it was even ranked one of the "best pop-metal songs of the '80s" by Ed Masley ofThe Arizona Republic). Fun fact: People who don't think they know Slade are probably pretty familiar with their tunes: Two of Quiet Riot's biggest hits, "Cum on Feel the Noize" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now," are both Slade covers.
Related: 1973 Glam Rock Hit Went Straight to the Top of the Charts 53 Years Ago Today
This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
