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Running (No Doubt song)
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Wikipedia article
'Running' is a song by American rock band No Doubt from their fifth studio album, 'Rock Steady' (2001). Written by band members Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal, the song was released as the album's fourth and final single on January 27, 2003, by Interscope Records.[ "Running (No Doubt single), Release date and Track listing"] 'Billboard' Retrieved on April 20, 2008 The song was also used in the final episode of the American television series 'Sabrina, the Teenage Witch' in 2003.
"Running" received mixed reviews from music critics and was compared to the work of Depeche Mode. The single only charted on the official charts of the United States, where it became the band's lowest-charting single, and in Germany, where it had its longest-charting period. The accompanying music video was directed by Chris Hafner, featuring many old and new pictures as well as clippings of the band members.
Background and writing
The song was written by lead singer Gwen Stefani and bassist Tony Kanal in Kanal's living room.Montoya, Paris and Lanham, Tom. "Running". 'The Singles 1992-2003' (liner notes). November 25, 2003. They used an old Yamaha keyboard that Kanal's father had purchased for him when he was in eighth gradeEdwards, Gavin. [https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/nodoubt/articles/story/5919655/no_doubt_make_party_music "No Doubt Make Party Music"] . 'Rolling Stone'. October 16, 2001. Retrieved October 22, 2007. and developed the song's harmony first and then wrote the lyrics. The band worked on the track to give it a "spacier sound" but were displeased with the result so they took the song to producer Nellee Hooper, who stripped 'Running' down to the basics. The song was then produced by Hooper, with whom Stefani collaborated again for her solo project two years later. Whatever the intent, the result was a track that resonated with catchy "Mario Bros." background instrumentation throughout the entire song.Vineyard, Jennifer [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480948/20031205/no_doubt.jhtml "Gwen Stefani Turns To Bandmate For Aid After Freak-Out"] 'MTV' Retrieved on April 19, 2008
Critical reception
"Running" received mixed reviews from music critics. 'Blender' characterized the song as "twenty-first-century Blondie" and compared its synthesizers and restrained vocal to the work of Depeche Mode.Howe, Rupert. [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1117 "No Doubt : 'Rock Steady' Review"] . 'Blender'. Retrieved October 7, 2007. 'Rolling Stone' also made the comparison to Depeche Mode and compared the song's "two-finger synth riff" to the work of Yazoo and Erasure.Sheffield, Rob. [https://web.archive.org/web/20071001004143/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/215088/rock_steady "Rock Steady : No Doubt : Review"]. 'Rolling Stone', issue 887. January 2, 2002. Retrieved October 7, 2007. 'PopMatters', however, stated that the song fell short and was more appropriate for "some Britney clone".Miller, Eden. [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/23769/nodoubt-rock/ "No Doubt: Rock Steady"]. 'PopMatters'. Retrieved October 7, 2007. 'Stylus Magazine' agreed, calling "Running" sophomoric, and commented that "this is the kind of song that makes Gwen so popular with the pre-teen girlies."Delaney, Colleen. [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/no-doubt/rock-steady.htm "No Doubt - Rock Steady - Review"]. 'Stylus Magazine'. September 1, 2003. Retrieved October 7, 2007. 'Slant Magazine' described the song as a "super-polished 'Saturn' leftover",Cinquemani, Sal. [http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=146 "Music Review: No Doubt: 'Rock Steady'"] . 'Slant Magazine'. 2004. Retrieved October 7, 2007. and 'Entertainment Weekly' portrayed the song as a paean in which No Doubt performed inside a music box, remarking that "it could be a contender for the coolest wedding song ever."Browne, David. [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,187515~4~0~rocksteady,00.html "Rock Steady (Music - No Doubt) | Music Review"]. 'Entertainment Weekly'. December 10, 2001. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
Commercial performance
"Running" was commercially unsuccessful in the United States, while the previous singles from the album reached the top 20 of the 'Billboard' Hot 100.[ "Rock Steady"]. Allmusic. Retrieved January 8, 2007. The single debuted at number 62 and stayed there for two weeks; it was unable to reach a higher position, becoming the band's lowest-charting single on the chart.[http://acharts.us/song/119 "No Doubt - Running - Music Charts"]. Charts.us. Retrieved October 7, 2007. It dropped off the chart after six weeks. The single was more successful in mainstream and adult contemporary markets, reaching number 20 on the Adult Top 40 and Top 40 Mainstream charts. It followed a similar charting pattern on the German Singles Chart where it debuted as well, peaking at number 55 before falling off the chart after seven weeks.
Music video
The song was accompanied by a music video which was directed by Chris Hafner.[http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=284021 "No Doubt-The Videos-1992-2003"] 'eil' Retrieved on April 20, 2008 The video opens with a scene of the band members walking on the beach in which Stefani is seen wearing a polka-dot gown and the other members are seen in casual clothes. The scene is interrupted by various pictures of the band members in their early years with old pictures of Stefani in which she has her original brunette hair. The scene then again shifts to the beach where the band members are shown playing frisbee and are shown having fun while burying drummist Adrian Young in the sand. Later, Stefani is shown sitting on a rock by the sea and singing to the camera. There are many other pictures of the band holding platinum and gold records and Adrian shown playing the guitar nude. There are also several clippings of the band making music in the studio and performing on stage during the Rock Steady Tour. The video ends with the band members running into the sea water.
Track listing
*'US and German CD single'
# "Running" (album version) 4:02
# "Hella Good" (live) 5:41
# "Underneath It All" (live) 4:40
# "Hey Baby" (live) 3:44
Charts
Release history
References
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