Runaways (The Killers song)

2012 single by the Killers

"Runaways"

Single cover

Single by the Killers
from the album  Battle Born
Released| July 17, 2012
Recorded| 2011–2012
Genre|

* Heartland rock
* new wave

Length| 4:04
Label| Island
Composer(s)| The Killers
Lyricist(s)| Brandon Flowers
Producer(s)|

* Steve Lillywhite
* Brendan O'Brien
* The Killers

The Killers singles chronology
| "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball"
(2011)  | "Runaways"
(2012)  | "Miss Atomic Bomb"
(2012)

|
|

Music video
Runaways on YouTube

"Runaways" is a song by American rock band the Killers. It was released in 2012 as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Battle Born (2012).

## Release

[edit]

On July 2, 2012, the band released artwork for the track.[1] On July 10, it received its first radio play on Radio 104.5 and KROQ in the United States and on BBC Radio 1 in the United Kingdom.[2] On July 17, 2012, it was released on iTunes, debuting in the US Alternative top twenty songs at #17.[3]

In the United Kingdom, "Runaways" was released on September 9, 2012.

## Critical reception

[edit]

The song has received positive reviews from music critics. Jon Dolan from Rolling Stone gave the song three stars saying "The first single from the first Killers album in four years is an Eighties-rock fever dream that's crazily big, even by their grandiose standards: a Vesuvian gusher of Springsteen mythos, Toto-Journey power hooks and singer Brandon Flowers’ unmistakable commitment to unmistakable commitment."

Nicky Barrison from NME acclaimed the song, describing it like a grand return, adding "Four years after Day & Age saw them dip their toe into dancier waters, The Killers make their grand return with the Killersiest comeback single you could ever hope to hear. If Day & Age was a stylistic reaction to the unjust critical kicking their second record took, then 'Runaways' is the sound of the band re-embracing their inner Springsteen".[4] Nolan Feening from Entertainment Weekly was receptive to "Runaways", commenting that the song "starts off gently with some bare-bones piano chords and not a whole lot else, but it gains momentum faster than you can remember the lyrics to 'Mr. Brightside'. Four minutes later, you've got a galloping desert rocker good enough to roll with the best of the Vegas quartet's catalog".[5] Mark Richards from Stereoboard.com was enthusiastic about the tune and commented "'Runaways' is a great alternative summer song that will no doubt be buried in air play by the likes of Will Smith's 80s classic".[6]

Nick Bassett from The Re-View praised "the beauty of its heartfelt, retrospective lyrics and rousing stadium chorus [which] stir that feeling of nostalgia that everyone can relate to."[7]

Readers of Rolling Stone chose "Runaways" as the best song of the summer in Readers' Poll: The Top Best Songs of Summer 2012.[citation needed] It was the #1 most downloaded song for South Africa in 2012.[8]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video for the song, directed by Warren Fu,[9] premiered on July 26, 2012.[10] The clip starts with Flowers performing the song with a starry sky on the background. He is later joined by the remaining members of the band,[10] and several backdrops are shown, including the Killers' hometown, Las Vegas.[9]

In September 2012, "Runaways" received a nomination for Best Video at the Q Awards, but lost out to Keane's "Disconnected".[11]

## Chart performance

[edit]

On July 17, 2012, it was released on iTunes in the United States, debuting in the US Alternative top twenty songs at number 17, and climbing to number 7.

In the United Kingdom, "Runaways" was released on September 9, and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 18. It remained in the top 20 the following week, making "Runaways" the Killers' 10th UK top 20 single.

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2012)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[12] | 67
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[13] | 3
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[14] | 19
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[15] | 37
Canada (Alternative Rock)[16] | 6
Canada Rock (Billboard)[17] | 18
Germany (GfK)[18] | 44
Ireland (IRMA)[19] | 13
Italy (FIMI)[20] | 53
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[21] | 37
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[22] | 34
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] | 64
Mexico Airplay (Billboard International)[24] | 43
Scotland (OCC)[25] | 13
South Korea (Gaon International Chart)[26] | 83
Switzerland Airplay (Schweizer Hitparade)[27] | 28
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[28] | 28
UK Singles (OCC)[29] | 18
US Billboard Hot 100[30] | 78
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[31] | 11
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[32] | 7
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[33] | 13

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2012)  | Position

|

US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[34] | 41

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[35] | Platinum  | 70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[36] | Gold  | 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] | Silver  | 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[38] | Gold  | 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Accolades

[edit]

Publication  | Country  | Accolade  | Year  | Rank

|
|
|
|

KROQ | United States  | Top 50 Songs of 2012[39] | 2012  |

## Release history

[edit]

Region  | Date  | Format  | Label

|
|
|

United States[40] | July 10, 2012  | Airplay  | Island Records
United Kingdom[40] | Mercury Records
Italy[41] | July 13, 2012  | Airplay  | Island Records
United States[40] | July 17, 2012  | Digital download
Italy[41]
United Kingdom[42] | September 7, 2012  | Digital download  | Mercury Records

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The Killers unveil artwork for new single 'Runaways'". NME. July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.[permanent dead link]
2. ^ "'Runaways' new single from Battle Born is premiering 7.10". Retrieved July 9, 2012.
3. ^ "Music Chart Analysis, Artist Spotlights, Music Insider, Chart Beat & News". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
4. ^ "NME Track Reviews - The Killers - 'Runaways'". Nme.Com. July 10, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
5. ^ Bierly, Mandi. "The Killers premiere "Runaways" | The Music Mix | EW.com". Music-mix.ew.com. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
6. ^ "The Killers - Runaways (Single Review) - Stereoboard UK". Stereoboard.com. July 10, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
7. ^ "New Music Video: The Killers -Runaways". Archived from the original on November 30, 2012.
8. ^ "The Killers top the Top 20 downloads in SA".
9. ^ a b Alex Young (July 26, 2012). "Video: The Killers – Runaways". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
10. ^ a b Jason Lipshutz (July 26, 2012). "Watch The Killers Be Epic in Their Runaways Music Video". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
11. ^ "Q Awards 2012 Nominations Announced". MTV. September 6, 2012. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
12. ^ "The ARIA Report - Week Commencing ~ 30 July 2012 ~ Issue #1170" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association / webarchive.nla.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 15, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
13. ^ "The Killers – Runaways" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
14. ^ "The Killers – Runaways" (in French). Ultratip.
15. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
16. ^ "Canada: Alternative Rock". America's Music Charts. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
17. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
18. ^ "The Killers – Runaways" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
19. ^ "Chart Track: Week 37, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
20. ^ "Runaways - Database Top of the Music" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
21. ^ "Chart Search Results - Japan Hot 100 Singles 2012-10-06". Billboard.biz. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
22. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Killers" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
23. ^ "The Killers – Runaways" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
24. ^ "Mexico Airplay - Issue Date: 2012-08-11". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
25. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
26. ^ "Search: Gaon International Download Chart – Issue date: 2012.07.15 – 2012.07.21". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
27. ^ "Schweizer Airplay Chart - Week 41, 2012" (in German). Hitparade.ch / Hung Medien. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
28. ^ "The Killers – Runaways" Canciones Top 50.
29. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
30. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
31. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
32. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
33. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
34. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
35. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
36. ^ "Canadian single certifications – The Killers – Runaways". Music Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
37. ^ "British single certifications – Killers – Runaways". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
38. ^ "American single certifications – The Killers – Runaways". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
39. ^ "KROQ's Top 50 Songs of 2012 « the World Famous KROQ". Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
40. ^ a b c Emily Zemler (July 22, 2012). "The Killers' Flowers: 'Runaways' Is 'A Great Starting Point' for Album". Billboard.com. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
41. ^ a b "Runaways è il nuovo singolo dei Killers, disponibile in download digitale dal 17 luglio" (in Italian). Ondarock.it. July 14, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
42. ^ "Runaways: The Killers - MP3 Download". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 12, 2012.

* v
* t
* e

The Killers

* Brandon Flowers
* Dave Keuning
* Ronnie Vannucci Jr.
* Mark Stoermer

List of the Killers band members

Studio albums|

* Hot Fuss
* Sam's Town
* Day & Age
* Battle Born
* Wonderful Wonderful
* Imploding the Mirage
* Pressure Machine

Compilation albums|

* Sawdust
* Direct Hits
* Don't Waste Your Wishes
* Rebel Diamonds

Live albums|

* Live from the Royal Albert Hall

Extended plays|

* (Red) Christmas EP

Singles|

* "Mr. Brightside"
* "Somebody Told Me"
* "All These Things That I've Done"
* "Smile Like You Mean It"
* "When You Were Young"
* "Bones"
* "Read My Mind"
* "For Reasons Unknown"
* "Shadowplay"
* "Tranquilize"
* "Human"
* "Spaceman"
* "The World We Live In"
* "A Dustland Fairytale"
* "Runaways"
* "Miss Atomic Bomb"
* "Here with Me"
* "Shot at the Night"
* "Just Another Girl"
* "The Man"
* "Run for Cover"
* "Rut"
* "Caution"
* "My Own Soul's Warning"
* "Dustland"

Other songs|

* "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine"
* "Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll"
* "Wonderful Wonderful"
* "Some Kind of Love"

Christmas songs|

* "A Great Big Sled"
* "Don't Shoot Me Santa"
* "Joseph, Better You than Me"
* "¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe!"
* "Boots"
* "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball"
* "I Feel It in My Bones"
* "Christmas in L.A."
* "Joel the Lump of Coal"
* "Dirt Sledding"

Concert tours|

* Hot Fuss Tour
* Battle Born World Tour
* Wonderful Wonderful World Tour
* Imploding the Mirage Tour
* Rebel Diamonds Tour

Related articles|

* Discography
* Songs
* Awards and nominations
* The Heavy Entertainment Show
* Ray Suen
* Tommy Marth
* Ted Sablay
* Ryan Pardey
* Big Talk
* Big Talk
* Straight In No Kissin'
* Izabella Miko
* Flamingo
* Another Life
* The Desired Effect
* Dark Arts
* Prismism

Category
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template