"Runaway" is a song by Kanye West that was released as a single on October 4, 2010.[1] It was later re-released as the ninth track from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, on November 22, 2010.[2] The song features a guest verse from Pusha T, along with uncredited vocals from The-Dream and The World Famous Tony Williams.[3]
In the song, Kanye reflects on the mistakes that he had made during a relationship, possibly alluding to his relationship with Amber Rose. He also states that the song serves as a "toast to the douchebags".[3]
The song was universally praised by critics and is considered by many fans to be Kanye's greatest song. It was even included in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Best Songs of All Time in 2021, placing the song in #25.[4]
Production[]
The song samples its drums from The Backyard Heavies' 1971 song, "Expo '83".[5] The same drums would later be used in Kanye and XXXTENTACION's 2022 single, "True Love".
Background[]
The song was originally created in 2009 during the Good Ass Job sessions, under the title "SingSing".[6] According to producer Jeff Bhasker, the song originally had a much lighter tone compared to the released version.[7] At one point, Kid Cudi was also planned to feature on the song, but his vocals were removed.[8]
Pusha T recalls that he had to rewrite his verse for the song four times because Kanye wanted it to be "more douchebag". Ironically, during the recording sessions for MBDTF, Pusha T was dealing with a bad relationship in his life, but didn't want to say no to Kanye.[9] Kanye was so impressed with Pusha T's final verse that he signed him to GOOD Music in September 2010.[10] 88-Keys was also set to feature on the song with vocal effects that he compared to his debut studio album, The Death of Adam. His vocals were removed before the song released.[11]
Kanye premiered the song at the 2010 MTV Music Video Awards on September 12, 2010, nearly 1 year after his infamous incident with Taylor Swift in the 2009 VMAs.
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Look at ya, look at ya, look at ya, look at ya
Look at ya, look at ya, look at ya, look at ya
Look at ya, look at ya, look at ya, look at ya
Look at ya, look at ya, look at ya, look at ya (Ladies and gentlemen, ladies, ladies and gentlemen)
[Pre-Chorus]
And I always find, yeah, I always find something wrong
You been puttin' up with my shit just way too long
I'm so gifted at finding what I don't like the most
So I think it's time for us to have a toast
[Chorus]
Let's have a toast for the douchebags
Let's have a toast for the assholes
Let's have a toast for the scumbags
Every one of them that I know
Let's have a toast for the jerk-offs
That'll never take work off
Baby, I got a plan
Run away fast as you can
[Verse 1]
She find pictures in my email
I sent this bitch a picture of my dick
I don't know what it is with females
But I'm not too good at that shit
See, I could have me a good girl
And still be addicted to them hoodrats
And I just blame everything on you
At least you know that's what I'm good at
[Pre-Chorus]
And I always find, yeah, I always find
Yeah, I always find something wrong
You been puttin' up with my shit just way too long
I'm so gifted at finding what I don't like the most
So I think it's time for us to have a toast
[Chorus]
Let's have a toast for the douchebags
Let's have a toast for the assholes
Let's have a toast for the scumbags
Every one of them that I know
Let's have a toast for the jerk-offs
That'll never take work off
Baby, I got a plan
Run away fast as you can
[Bridge]
Run away from me, baby
Ah, run away
Run away from me, baby (Look at ya, look at ya, look at ya)
Run away
When it starts to get crazy (Look at ya, look at ya, look at ya)
Then run away
Babe, I got a plan, run away as fast as you can
Run away from me, baby
Run away
Run away from me, baby (Look at, look at, look at, look at, look at, look at, look at ya)
Run away
When it starts to get crazy (Look at ya, look at ya, look at ya, look at ya)
Why can't she just run away?
Baby, I got a plan
Run away as fast as you can (Look at ya, look at ya, look at ya)
[Verse 2]
Twenty-four seven, three sixty-five, pussy stays on my mind
I-I-I-I did it, alright, alright, I admit it
Now pick your next move, you could leave or live with it
Ichabod Crane with that motherfuckin' top off
Split and go where? Back to wearing knockoffs?
Haha, knock it off, Neimans, shop it off
Let's talk over mai tais, waitress, top it off
Hoes like vultures, wanna fly in your Freddy loafers
You can't blame 'em, they ain't never seen Versace sofas
Every bag, every blouse, every bracelet
Comes with a price tag, baby, face it
You should leave if you can't accept the basics
Plenty hoes in the baller-n*gga matrix
Invisibly set, the Rolex is faceless
I'm just young, rich, and tasteless, P
[Verse 3]
Never was much of a romantic
I could never take the intimacy
And I know I did damage
'Cause the look in your eyes is killing me
I guess you knew of that advantage
'Cause you could blame me for everything
And I don't know how I'ma manage
If one day, you just up and leave
[Pre-Chorus]
And I always find, yeah, I always find something wrong
You been puttin' up with my shit just way too long
I'm so gifted at finding what I don't like the most
So I think it's time for us to have a toast
[Chorus]
Let's have a toast for the douchebags
Let's have a toast for the assholes
Let's have a toast for the scumbags
Every one of them that I know
Let's have a toast for the jerk-offs
That'll never take work off
Baby, I got a plan
Run away fast as you can
[Outro]
[Non-lyrical vocals]
References[]
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runaway_(Kanye_West_song)
- ↑ https://open.spotify.com/album/20r762YmB5HeofjMCiPMLv
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://genius.com/Kanye-west-runaway-lyrics
- ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/joni-mitchell-a-case-of-you-1225312/
- ↑ https://www.whosampled.com/Kanye-West/Runaway/
- ↑ https://plwcse.top/f/ad6d0a09e1d258f0a200887cd68926ed
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxxcdq0U5PU
- ↑ https://plwcse.top/f/4061471506fccbe1b58d47c49abaa7a6
- ↑ https://www.complex.com/music/a/noah-callahan-bever/kanye-west-interview-2010-cover-story
- ↑ https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/pusha-t-talks-mtv-vmas-making-kanye-wests-runaway-good-music-signing-40117/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/Zv-YXKJutR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link