“Runaway” first reached radio stations in 1983, before Bon Jovi had become the full band known around the world. Its early success helped change Jon Bon Jovi’s career, leading to the formation of the band and a record deal with Mercury Records.
The song later became the first single from Bon Jovi’s self-titled debut album, which arrived in January 1984. It reached No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving the group its first U.S. Top 40 hit.
Singer Jon Bon Jovi of the American rock band Bon Jovi performing on on the Dutch TV show Veronica's Countdown.Photo by BSR Agency/Gentle Look via Getty Images
At the time, Jon Bon Jovi was still trying to find his way into the music business. He had written the song before Bon Jovi existed as a band and had trouble getting a record deal.
“It’s 1982. I write ‘Runaway,’ but I can’t get a record deal. I can’t even get myself a band because, you know, original bands aren’t making any money at this time.”
How ‘Runaway’ Became a Bon Jovi Breakthrough
“Runaway” was recorded at The Power Station in New York with a group of professional session musicians. The lineup included guitarist Tim Pierce, bassist Hugh McDonald, drummer Frankie LaRocka and keyboardist Roy Bittan, who was also part of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.
Tim Pierce later remembered meeting Jon when the future rock star was just 19.
According to Ultimate Guitar, Pierce said Jon already understood what he wanted from his career.
The recording itself was not planned as the start of a major rock career. Pierce said he did not expect the track to become Bon Jovi’s first single.
The guitarist also said the musicians worked together at The Power Station to build the recording. Pierce created the guitar solo during the session.
The turning point came in 1983 when Bon Jovi brought “Runaway” to WAPP 103.5FM, a new radio station in New York.
WAPP also held a contest with St. John’s University to find the best unsigned local band. “Runaway” won, and the song became a local radio hit.
The band soon caught the attention of record executive Derek Shulman, who helped broker a deal with Mercury Records. The label chose “Runaway” as the first single from the band’s debut album.
While much of the material from the band's first two albums became less common in later shows, “Runaway” continued to be performed regularly. Jon Bon Jovi also said in 2007 that he believed the song still held up.
“I’m not a filmmaker,” Bon Jovi said. “Some of them we really got right, and others we didn’t. God knows things like ‘Runaway’ and some of those early ones were just dreck!”
“Runaway” is therefore more than an early Bon Jovi single. It was the recording that helped move Jon Bon Jovi from an aspiring young songwriter into the beginning of a professional rock career.
Related: 1971 Rock Song, Lasting Nearly 23 Minutes, Is Still a Powerful Hit 55 Years Later
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