Runaway
by Devlin (featuring Yasmin)

Album: Bud, Sweat and Beers (2010)
Charted: 15
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the second official single by British MC and rapper Devlin from his debut album, Bud, Sweat and Beers. The song was produced by the duo Future Cut and released on October 24, 2010 for digital download.
  • This features Hip Hop DJ and singer Yasmin. The British-Iranian DJ told MTV UK how she came to work with Devlin on this track: "I have worked quite a lot with some producers Future Cut and the day after I signed my record deal, I wanted to celebrate with those guys and they were like 'we are in the studio with Devlin but it's fine come on up.' When I went there, Devlin had put three verses down on this song and there was no chorus but I thought it was amazing and got an idea there and then. I sang it to them and they loved it and that's how it happened. Devlin is an incredible talent, he's raw and what you see is what you get and for me, it's always a pleasure to work with someone like that."
  • The song's music video was directed by Emil Nava, who won the Best Music Video at the 2010 Soho Shorts Festival for "Our House Is Dadless" by Kid British. Devlin is seen in the clip around the neighbourhoods of his home town of Dagenham whilst Yasmin sings from a council estate balcony in the Isles Of Dogs.
  • Before signing signed a deal with Island Records, Devlin had a strong reputation in the underground Hip-Hop scene. However, he explained to MTV UK that he doesn't feel like he has compromised his music in return for chart success. "The lyrics I've spat are true. I would have spat them on any beat," he said. "All that's changed, is that in a single, we'll get a female singer and we'll make the beat sound a bit nicer, for instance, in 'Runaway.' But if you listen to what I'm saying, that's just what I've been doing for years. To a degree, you've got to play the game for singles, but there's nothing that I've spat where I feel like I've compromised."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Song Cities

Song CitiesMusic Quiz

Nirvana, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen are among those who wrote songs with cities that show up in this quiz.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.