Running Back (Jessica Mauboy song)

2008 single by Jessica Mauboy

"Running Back"

Single by Jessica Mauboy featuring Flo Rida
from the album  Been Waiting
B-side| "Magical"
Released| 1 October 2008 (2008-10-01)
Studio| The Sound Academy, Sydney, New South Wales
Genre|

* R&B

Length| 3:45
Label| Sony
Songwriter(s)|

* Jessica Mauboy
* Sean Ray Mullins
* Audius Mtawarira

Producer(s)| Audius Mtawarira
Jessica Mauboy singles chronology
|  | "Running Back"
(2008)  | "Burn"
(2008)

|
|

Flo Rida singles chronology
| "In the Ayer"
(2008)  | "Running Back"
(2008)  | "Cause a Scene"
(2009)

|
|

Audio sample

* file
* help

Music video
"Running Back" on YouTube

"Running Back" is the debut single of Australian R&B recording artist Jessica Mauboy, featuring American rapper Flo Rida. The track was written by Mauboy, Audius Mtawarira, and Sean Ray Mullins, and was produced by Audius. "Running Back" was released for digital download on 19 September 2008 as the lead single from Mauboy's debut studio album, Been Waiting. Mauboy felt "so excited and honoured" to work with Flo Rida, calling it a dream come true.

The song peaked at number three on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 140,000 units. In 2009, "Running Back" won 'Highest Selling Single' at the ARIA Music Awards, where it was also nominated for 'Breakthrough Artist Single'. It also won 'Urban Work of the Year' at the APRA Awards and 'Single Release of the Year' at the NT Indigenous Music Awards. The music video was directed by Fin Edquist, and portrays a fictional relationship between Mauboy and Flo Rida. The video has garnered over 1 million views on Vevo.[1] The song has been performed live at the 2008 Sydney New Year's Eve event and on Australian Idol, where Mauboy was a former contestant of the show in 2006.

## Background and composition

[edit]

American rapper Flo Rida is a featured artist in Mauboy's debut single, "Running Back."

In September 2007, Mauboy became a member of all-girl pop group Young Divas, replacing one of the group's original members, Ricki-Lee Coulter, who had left to resume her solo career.[2] Mauboy's management saw the group as a "perfect learning curve" about all that was positive and negative in the music industry.[2] Together, they released their second studio album, New Attitude in November, and the album's lead single, "Turn Me Loose". After things went downhill for the group following the song's release, Mauboy went to the studio to begin working on her debut solo album Been Waiting, because she wanted to be a solo artist and it was always on her mind to become one.[3] Mauboy began writing songs with Adam Reily, Israel Cruz, Brooke McClymont, and Audius Mtawarira.[4] In June 2008, Mauboy told The Jakarta Post that her debut solo single would be released in August, with the album planned for a September release.[5] Two months later, it was announced that Mauboy had left the Young Divas to resume her solo career.[6]

"Running Back" was written by Mauboy, Mtawarira, and Sean Ray Mullins, and was produced by Audius.[7] "Running Back" is one of the three tracks Audius produced for the album.[7] Mullins has stated that when he hears the song on the radio, "he's merely satisfied" that it fits the formula.[8] "Running Back" was recorded at The Sound Academy in Sydney, New South Wales, and Phil Tan mixed the track at Soapbox Studios, Atlanta, Georgia.[7] Mauboy and Flo Rida recorded their verses in separate studios.[9] She said that the song is based on "one of my past experiences".[9] In an interview with Take 40 Australia, Mauboy said working with Flo Rida was a dream come true, "I love urban music and have been a huge fan of Flo-Rida's from the moment I heard 'Low'. For him to now feature on my first single I just can't believe it! I am so excited and honoured."[10] "Running Back" is an urban pop ballad, featuring "a restrained vocal performance from Mauboy."[11] According to Davey Boy from Sputnikmusic, the song "is one-part smooth ballad with its twinkling piano loop and lovelorn lyrics, and one-part contemporary hip hop with its deceptively slinky vocals and effective—if phoned in—Flo Rida cameo."[12]

## Release and reception

[edit]

"Running Back" was released for digital download on 19 September 2008.[13] A digital extended play was released on 11 October; it includes a remix featuring Israel Cruz and a karaoke version to "Running Back", as well as two additional tracks.[14] The CD single for "Running Back" was released in Australia on 18 October.[15]

Jarrad Bevan from The Mercury noted that Flo Rida "ads punch to her sultry hook", and added that "it's a hit, no doubt."[16] Mawunyo Gbogbo from Groove On wrote, "'Running Back' is not only a hot track, but it's prompted many to take notice of this fresh new face in Australian R&B."[17] "Running Back" debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at number thirteen and peaked at number three.[18] Her next single, "Burn" was released in November and charted even higher when it peaked at number one.[19] "Running Back" spent a total of thirty-one weeks on the chart.[20] It also spent forty-five weeks on the ARIA Urban Singles Chart, where it peaked at number three.[21] The song was certified double Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 140,000 units.[22]

In 2009, "Running Back" won 'Urban Work of the Year' at the APRA Awards, and was nominated for the same category the following year.[23][24] It was also nominated at the ARIA Music Awards, in the categories of 'Breakthrough Artist Single' and 'Highest Selling Single', winning the latter category on 26 November.[25][26] "Running Back" also won 'Single Release of the Year' at the NT Indigenous Music Awards.[27] At the MTV Australia Awards, "Running Back" was nominated for 'Best Collaboration'.[28]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video for "Running Back" was directed by Fin Edquist[7] and filmed in Melbourne[29] during the first week of September 2008, during Flo Rida's visit to Australia.[10] The video starts off showing a view of the city, before Mauboy appears on the balcony of a bedroom singing the first verse. When the first chorus begins, Flo Rida is seen wandering around in a different bedroom. During the second verse, Mauboy then appears inside the bedroom looking at a photo, packing her bags, and singing in front of a mirror. During this time, Rida is also seen standing in front of a mirror in his bedroom. As the video progresses, Mauboy makes her way towards the car, and Rida then raps his verse on the telephone to her. The video ends showing Mauboy back at the balcony at the bedroom.[30]

## Live performances

[edit]

Mauboy performing at the Galaxy Tour, January 2012.

Mauboy performed "Running Back" on the elimination show of Australian Idol in October 2008, wearing a black dress and heels with her hair tied up in a bun.[31] Mauboy was a former contestant of the show in 2006, and became runner-up to Damien Leith.[31] She also performed the song at the 2008 Sydney New Year's Eve event.[32] On 11 January 2009, Mauboy performed "Running Back" during a Twenty20 cricket match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.[33] At the 2009 MTV Australia Awards, Mauboy performed a medley of "Running Back" and "Been Waiting", which broadcast in 162 countries.[34] She also performed "Running Back" at her first 'Live at the Chapel' concert, held at the Paddington Uniting Church in Sydney on 9 July 2009.[35] In September 2009, Mauboy performed the song during Beyoncé's Australian leg of her I Am... World Tour, in which she served as a support act.[36] She also became a support act for Chris Brown's Australian F.A.M.E. Tour in April 2011, and performed "Running Back".[37] For the performance, Mauboy wore a "skin-tight black spandex ensemble with silver glittery" boots.[37] In January 2012, Mauboy performed the song during her Galaxy Tour in Australia, dressed in a black and gold dress and silver diamond high heels.[38] A live version of "Running Back" was included on Mauboy's extended play iTunes Session (2014).[39]

## Track listings

[edit]

* Digital download[13]

1. "Running Back" featuring Flo Rida – 3:45

* Digital EP[14]

1. "Running Back" featuring Flo Rida – 3:45
2. "Magical" – 3:26
3. "Running Back" featuring Flo Rida & Israel Cruz (Remix) – 4:47
4. "Running Back" featuring Flo Rida (Karaoke Track) – 3:47
5. "Breathe" – 3:50

* CD single[15]

1. "Running Back" featuring Flo Rida – 3:45
2. "Magical" – 3:26
3. "Running Back" featuring Flo Rida & Israel Cruz (Remix) – 4:47
4. "Running Back" featuring Flo Rida (Karaoke Track) – 3:47

|

## Personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from the liner notes for Been Waiting.[7]

* Jessica Mauboy – vocals
* Audius Mtawarira – arrangement, production, vocal production
* Sean Ray Mullins – arrangement
* Flo Rida – featured vocals
* Phil Tan – mixing

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Running Back"  | Chart (2008)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[18] | 3
Australia Urban (ARIA)[21] | 3

### Year-end charts

[edit]

2008 year-end chart performance for "Running Back"  | Chart (2008)  | Position

|

ARIA Singles Chart[40] | 29
ARIA Urban Singles Chart[41] | 29
Australian Artists Singles Chart[42] | 4
2009 year-end chart performance for "Running Back"  Chart (2009)  | Position

|

ARIA Urban Singles Chart[43] | 36

## Certification

[edit]

Certifications and sales for "Running Back"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[22] | 2× Platinum  | 140,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Release dates and formats for "Running Back"  Region  | Date  | Format  | Label  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

Australia  | 19 September 2008  | Digital download | Sony Music Australia | [13]
New Zealand  | [44]
Australia  | 11 October 2008  | Digital extended play | [14]
18 October 2008  | CD single | [15]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Running Back – Jessica Mauboy. Vevo. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
2. ^ a b "Jessica Mauboy is the new Young Diva". Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times (News Corporation). 27 September 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
3. ^ "Jessica's bringing sexy back". Starobserver.com.au. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
4. ^ McCabe, Kathy (28 November 2008). "Jessica Mauboy on Been Waiting, new single Burn". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 28 August 2011.
5. ^ Whitfield, Deanne (28 June 2008). "Jessica Mauboy: 'Idol' cultural ambassador". The Jakarta Post. PT Bina Media Tenggara. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
6. ^ Reginato, Anthony (25 August 2008). "Turn me loose, and Paulini quits the Young Divas". News.com.au. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 10 September 2010.
7. ^ a b c d e Been Waiting (Deluxe Edition) (CD liner). Jessica Mauboy. Sony Music Australia. 2009.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
8. ^ Andrew Tijs, Penelope Quinn (22 July 2009). "Snob Scrilla: "I'm not the next Akon"". MTV Australia. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
9. ^ a b Weasel (10 February 2009). "Jessica Mauboy – Burnin' Up". Samesame.com.au. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
10. ^ a b "Jessica Mauboy Teams Up With Flo Rida". Take 40 Australia. MCM Entertainment, Pty Ltd. 1 September 2008. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
11. ^ Bond, Nick (24 December 2008). "Album Review: Jessica Mauboy". MTV Australia. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
12. ^ Boy, Davey (24 April 2009). "Jessica Mauboy – Been Waiting (staff review)". Sputnikmusic. Jeremy Ferwerda. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
13. ^ a b c "Running Back (feat. Flo Rida) – Single". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple Inc. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
14. ^ a b c "Running Back (feat. Flo Rida) – EP". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple Inc. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
15. ^ a b c "Running Back – CD single by Jessica Mauboy". Sanity. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
16. ^ Bevan, Jarrad (28 November 2008). "Jessica Mauboy – Been Waiting Review". The Mercury. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 14 August 2011.
17. ^ Gbogbo, Mawunyo. "Jessica Mauboy – Been Waiting". GrooveOn.com.au (GrooveOn Media). Archived from the original on 8 November 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
18. ^ a b "Jessica Mauboy – Running Back". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
19. ^ "Discography Jessica Mauboy". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
20. ^ "The ARIA Report" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 18 May 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
21. ^ a b "The ARIA Report" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 30 November 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 December 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
22. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2008 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 21 December 2010.
23. ^ Wasley, Alice (23 June 2009). "Nine first-time winners in 12 APRA Music Award categories". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
24. ^ Purdie, Ross (25 May 2010). "Empire of the Sun, The Temper Trap, Sarah Blasko and Kate Miller-Heidke nominated for APRA songwriters awards". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
25. ^ "AC/DC, Mauboy, Empire among ARIA winners". News.com.au. News Limited (News Corporation). 26 November 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
26. ^ "ARIA Awards: History: Winners by Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 28 January 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
27. ^ "IMA 2009: The 6th annual Indigenous Music Awards 2009". musicnt.com.au (Music NT). Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
28. ^ "Vodafone MTV Australia Awards 2009". MTV Australia. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
29. ^ "NovaFM Artist – Jessica Mauboy". Nova. DMG Radio Australia. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
30. ^ Jessica Mauboy – Running Back ft. Flo Rida. Vevo. 3 October 2009. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
31. ^ a b "Australian Idol: Jessica Mauboy Is a Knockout". Who. Pacific Magazines. 16 October 2008. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
32. ^ McKenny, Leesha (28 December 2008). "Idol star burns for the Big Apple". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
33. ^ "Jess Mauboy To Perform at the Twenty20 Cricket This Sunday!". Jessicamauboy.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 October 2009.
34. ^ Langford, Ben (12 March 2009). "Real deal Jess to star with best". Northern Territory News. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 27 August 2011.
35. ^ "Jessica Mauboy Impresses on Stage at Live at the Chapel Gig". Take 40 Australia. MCM Entertainment, Pty Ltd. 10 July 2009. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
36. ^ Bond, Nick (16 September 2009). "Beyoncé's Australian tour starts in style". Sstar.net.au. Archived from the original on 11 November 2009.
37. ^ a b Skinner, Briony (30 April 2011). "Synced or not, Chris Brown sex appeal wins Brisbane's hearts". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Digital. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
38. ^ Rinaldi, Eva (22 January 2012). "Jessica Mauboy And Stan Walker Rock Canberra's Galaxy". Macarthur Chronicle. News Limited. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012.
39. ^ "iTunes Session by Jessica Mauboy". iTunes Store. Apple. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
40. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles 2008". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 21 December 2010.
41. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Urban Singles 2008". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 15 September 2014.
42. ^ "Top 50 Australian Artist Singles 2008". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 14 August 2011.
43. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Urban Singles 2009". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 15 September 2014.
44. ^ "Running Back (feat. Flo Rida) – Single". iTunes Store (New Zealand). Apple Inc. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2011.

* v
* t
* e

Jessica Mauboy

* Discography
* Videography
* Awards and nominations
* Songs

Studio albums
and singles|

| Been Waiting|

* "Running Back"
* "Burn"
* "Been Waiting"
* "Because"
* "Up/Down"
* "Let Me Be Me"

|

Get 'Em Girls|

* "Get 'Em Girls"
* "Saturday Night"
* "What Happened to Us"
* "Inescapable"
* "Galaxy"

Beautiful|

* "To the End of the Earth"
* "Pop a Bottle (Fill Me Up)"
* "Beautiful"
* "Never Be the Same"
* "Can I Get a Moment?"
* "The Day Before I Met You"

Hilda|

* "Sunday"
* "Little Things"

Yours Forever|

* "Give You Love"

Live albums|

* The Journey

Extended plays|

* iTunes Session

Other singles|

* "Everyone"
* "Gotcha"
* "Waltzing Matilda"
* "Something's Got a Hold on Me"
* "I Am Australian"
* "Sea of Flags"
* "Spirit of the Anzacs"
* "This Ain't Love"
* "Where I'll Stay"
* "Fallin'"
* "Then I Met You"
* "We Got Love"
* "First Nation"
* "Glow"

Concert tours|

* To the End of the Earth Tour
* All the Hits Live Tour

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Flo Rida

Discography

Studio albums|

* Mail on Sunday
* R.O.O.T.S.
* Only One Flo (Part 1)
* Wild Ones

EPs|

* Good Feeling
* My House

Singles|

* "Low"
* "Elevator"
* "In the Ayer"
* "Right Round"
* "Shone"
* "Sugar"
* "Jump"
* "Be on You"
* "Club Can't Handle Me"
* "Turn Around (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)"
* "Who Dat Girl"
* "Good Feeling"
* "Wild Ones"
* "Whistle"
* "I Cry"
* "Sweet Spot"
* "Let It Roll"
* "Can't Believe It"
* "How I Feel"
* "G.D.F.R."
* "I Don't Like It, I Love It"
* "My House"
* "Hello Friday"
* "Zillionaire"
* "Cake"

Featured singles|

* "Move Shake Drop"
* "We Break the Dawn"
* "Running Back"
* "Feel It"
* "Bad Boys"
* "Kick It Out"
* "Heartbreaker"
* "Good Girls Go Bad" (Frank E Remix)
* "Feel It"
* "iYiYi"
* "You Make the Rain Fall"
* "Higher"
* "Dance with Me"
* "Where Them Girls At"
* "Club Rocker"
* "Hangover"
* "Get Low"
* "Goin' In"
* "Troublemaker"
* "Change Your Life"
* "Say You're Just a Friend"
* "Sing La La La"
* "Tonight Belongs to U!"
* "Greenlight"
* "Adrenalina"

Other songs|

* "In My Mind, Part 2"

Tours|

* Summerbeatz

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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