"Runaway" is a song recorded by American singer Janet Jackson for her first greatest hits album, . Written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the track was released as the album's lead single on August 29, 1995, by A&M Records. The song became another hit for Jackson on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number three, and it was successful abroad, peaking at number two in Canada, number three in New Zealand, number six in the United Kingdom and number eight in Australia. It reached the top 40 in at least 12 additional countries.
Background and composition
"Runaway" was created to be a possible duet with Jackson's brother Michael Jackson, but they chose "Scream" instead. "Runaway" blends hard pop-hip hop beats with influences from African and Asian music, and has a similar sound to her previous hits "Escapade" and "Whoops Now". Towards the end of the song, Jackson breaks the fourth wall with the lyric, "Ooh, didn't quite hit the note/That wasn't such a good time". Africa, Nairobi, Tuscany, Australia, Mexico and Paris are mentioned in the song.
Chart performance
"Runaway" made Jackson the first female artist in Billboards history to debut in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, entering at number six in September 1995. It eventually peaked at number three for five weeks. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America and sold 800,000 copies domestically. The song also reached number two in Canada, being kept out of the top position by Mariah Carey's Fantasy, in addition to being a top ten hit in a number of European countries including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Ireland and Scotland. It was also a top ten hit in Australia and New Zealand while reaching the top 30 in most other countries.
Music video
The music video for "Runaway" was directed by Marcus Nispel and choreographed by Tina Landon on August 27, 1995. It starts from in New York City where Jackson is in her apartment. She walks in the living room and puts her dog on the floor. She climbs out the window and jumps out, landing on a telephone pole. Jackson travels around the world and visits many places including Egypt, India, Russia, China, Africa, Chile, Brazil, Tuscany, Paris, Australia, and the Great Buddha Statue of Kamakura in Japan. Upon returning from her trip, Jackson climbs back into her apartment to be greeted by her dog. The video and its production documentary appear exclusively on the video release.
Live performances
Jackson has performed the song on most of her tours since its release. "Runaway" was included on the setlist of her 1998 The Velvet Rope Tour. The stage reveals the "deranged madness" of the following "hallucinatory" segment, featuring Jackson in a jester's headdress and satin bustier, with dancers dressed as "flowers, Mad Hatters, and horny gnomes" in a "Wonderland" setting. Jackson performs an upbeat medley of "Escapade", "When I Think of You", "Miss You Much", "Runaway" and "Love Will Never Do " across a "blindingly bright, poppy-induced set design" with varied props, which include a smiling clock tower, inflatable moons, mammoth chaise, vases, and books. It was also performed by the singer during the All for You Tour in 2001 and 2002, in a medley with "When I Think of You", "Miss You Much" and "Escapade" with the stage decorated with carnival balloons and costumes. It was used as the encore song for the Rock Witchu Tour in 2008, with Jackson and her dancers wearing white outfits. "Runaway" was also dedicated to cities Paris and Sydney on her 2011 Number Ones, Up Close and Personal tour. It was included as a DJ interlude on the 2015-2016 Unbreakable World Tour and the 2017 State of the World Tour. Jackson sang the song in full on the second leg of her 2018 State of the World Tour.
