"You Better Run" is a song by

the Young Rascals ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

. 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 AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

's Matthew Greenwald called it "a classic

garage rock Garage rock (sometimes called garage punk or 60s punk) is a raw and energetic style of rock music that flourished in the mid-1960s, most notably in the United States and Canada, and has experienced a series of subsequent revivals. The style is ...

er with a punkish energy

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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 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 ''

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'' 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 famously 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 Slade are a rock band formed in Wolverhampton, England in 1966. They rose to prominence during the glam rock era in the early 1970s, achieving 17 consecutive top 20 hits and six number ones on the UK Singles Chart. The '' British Hit Singl ...

, 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. The Listen and N' Betweens versions were released on the same day. Canadian pop-rock band

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

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. Bob Kuban & The In-Men recorded a cover as “You Better Run - You Better Hide,” on the Musicland USA label in 1967.Discogs.com

References

{{Authority control 1966 songs 1966 singles 1980 singles Songs written by Felix Cavaliere Songs written by Eddie Brigati The Rascals songs Pat Benatar songs Eddie and the Hot Rods songs Song recordings produced by Arif Mardin Song recordings produced by Tom Dowd Song recordings produced by Keith Olsen Atlantic Records singles Chrysalis Records singles