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You Better Run
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Wikipedia article
"'You Better Run'" is a song by the Young Rascals. Written by group members Eddie Brigati and Felix Cavaliere, it was released as the band's third single in 1966 and reached the top 20 in the United States. This song is noted for its repeated roller coaster musical chords in the bass guitar, going from C to B Flat to C to E Flat to B Flat to C.
Critical reception
A review in a 1966 issue of 'Billboard' magazine described the song as a "big-beat wailer" and a "strong follow-up to 'Good Lovin'".
In the book 'Pioneers of Rock and Roll', author Harry Sumrall wrote that the song represented the apex of the band's sound and complimented guitarist Gene Cornish's "slashing chords".
AllMusic's Matthew Greenwald called it "a classic garage rocker with a punkish energy [that] showcased the band's live chops to a great effect, as well as Felix Cavaliere's awesome soul-inflected vocals."
Music journalist Fred Bronson noted that "You Better Run" was a commercial disappointment, having peaked at number 20 on the U.S. 'Billboard' Hot 100 after their previous single, "Good Lovin'", had reached number one.
The Cavaliere and Gene Cornish composition "Love Is a Beautiful Thing" was included as the single's B-side.
Chart performance
Cover versions
Pat Benatar version
Pat Benatar recorded "You Better Run" for her second album, 'Crimes of Passion' (1980). The song was released as the album's lead single, with "Out-A-Touch" as the B-side. It peaked at number 42 on the U.S. 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart and number 44 on the 'Cash Box' Top 100.
The song appeared on the soundtrack to the 1980 film 'Roadie'.
On August 1, 1981, the music video for the song was the second video ever broadcast on MTV, after the network premiered with "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles.
Chart performance
Other versions
In 1966, with the band Listen, Robert Plant made his recording debut singing lead vocals on a cover version of "You Better Run", which was released as a single by CBS Records.In 1966, the N' Betweens, who later became the British rock band Slade, covered the song, which was released as their debut single on Columbia. It was produced by Kim Fowley and reached number one on the local Midlands chart and remained there for six weeks.It's Slade - 1999 BBC documentary The Listen and N' Betweens versions were released on the same day.
Canadian pop-rock band, Toronto_(band), included a cover of You Better Run on their debut album, Looking for Trouble, in 1980.
Peter Criss recorded the song on his first post-KISS solo album Out of Control in 1980.
References
Category:1966 songs
Category:1966 singles
Category:1980 singles
Category:Songs written by Felix Cavaliere
Category:Songs written by Eddie Brigati
Category:The Rascals songs
Category:Pat Benatar songs
Category:Eddie and the Hot Rods songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Arif Mardin
Category:Song recordings produced by Tom Dowd
Category:Song recordings produced by Keith Olsen
Category:Atlantic Records singles
Category:Chrysalis Records singles
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