It Keeps You Runnin'


"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.
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.
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."
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."

Track listing

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

    Personnel

Carly Simon version

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.
Billboard described it as an "interesting mid -tempo rocker" with a "jazzy feel" that has a powerful vocal performance by Simon. Billboard specifically praised the guitar playing and the hook.
The Doobie Brothers provided backing vocals on the track. 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

7" single
  1. "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 3:56
  2. "Look Me In The Eyes" – 3:34
7" single
  1. "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 3:56
  2. "Be with Me" – 1:53

    Charts