35 Best Songs About Running Away

Have you ever felt like running away? The desire to run away is a common feeling humans have. It could be due to an unfulfilling life, relationship issues, or even a dead-end career.

Therefore, it is no surprise that many artists have written songs about this subject.

Continue reading to discover the best songs about running away.

1.“Runaway” by Kanye West feat. Pusha T

Song Year: 2010

Opening the list of best songs about running away is “Runaway” by Kanye West, a second song in his fifth album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

In this song, Kanye conveys several contradicting ideas while expressing his desire to run away from everything. The rapper also talks about aspects of his life that make people want to leave him and advises his future lovers to run away from him and avoid getting hurt.

2. “Running Away” by Bob Marley And The Wailers

Song Year: 1978

If you're a reggae fan, you've probably heard of the song “Running Away” by Bob Marley and The wailers. The band recorded the song in 1978 when reggae music became popular.

This song shows how difficult it can be to run away from your problems, no matter how hard you try. Instead, it encourages you to face your problem head-on and move with your life smoothly.

3. “Runaway” by Ed Sheeran

Song Year: 2014

Ed Sheeran is well-known for writing love songs. However, in his 2014 album, X, he took a different direction and wrote the song “Runaway,” which is unrelated to love.

In the song, Ed Sheeran talks about his challenges dealing with an alcoholic father and how he wants to run away and escape the problem.

4. “Run, Baby Run” by Sheryl Crow

Song Year: 1993

“Run Baby Run” is one of the best singles in Sheryl Crow's debut album Tuesday Night Music Club, released by A&M Records. Sheryl wrote this song in 1992 when Bill Clinton was announced the winner of the U.S. presidential results.

This song is purely political. It talks about running as continuing one's life despite uncertainties and turbulent political environments.

5. “Runaway” by Avril Lavigne

Song Year: 2007

Most songs about running away are often associated with teenagers. Avril Lavigne's “Runaway” perfectly displays these emotions. She talks about how she sometimes gets overwhelmed as an adolescent and wants to run away from the issues.

Despite coming from a different generation, many people up to date still resonate with the song. This track will soothe you if you ever feel sad and want to disappear.

6. “You Keep Running Away” by The Four Tops

Song Year: 1967

“You Keep Running Away” by The Four Tops is one of the perfect songs that exploits the idea of running away straightforwardly while telling a familiar tale of romantic problems. It is written by a person whose lover keeps leaving them. 

Despite the troubled lyrics, the song's upbeat tune will uplift your spirits if someone is running away from you and you feel like the world is crashing on you.

7. “Runaway” by Bon Jovi

Song Year: 1984

“Runaway” is a hard rock track by Bon Jovi in his debut album Bon Jovi. This song quickly became popular in the hard rock genre and was rated #40 on the top 100 hit songs.

In the song, Bon Jovi talks about the life of a girl who feels unappreciated at home and runs away, hoping to get a better life, but things don't go well.

8. “Runaway” by Avenged Sevenfold

Song Year: 2017

“Runaway” by Avenged Sevenfold is a rendition of Del Shannon's “Runaway.” This song features The Vandals' Warren Fitzgerald guitar work while Zacky Vengeance takes over the vocals.

The song's theme is about a person's pain after a heartbreak. He talks about his suffering and grief and asks himself why his lover left him more than once.

9.“Runaways” by The Killers

Song Year: 2012

“Runaways” is a popular pop-rock song which The Killers released as a lead single in their fourth studio album, Battle Born.

This song tells the story of a young couple struggling to keep their love alive. They feel like their love is over but then remember the promise they made to each other to remain together forever.

This song will strike every part of your being when things get tough in your relationship and you feel like leaving.

10. “Runaway” By Linkin Park

Song Year: 2000

Runaway is the sixth song on Linkin Park's debut album, Hybrid Theory.  It describes how someone might feel when society tortures them and decides to run away.

Although this song is about running away, it has a lot of energy while still delivering the recognizable Linkin Park sound that many people love. The track features several neck-snapping guitar melodies and the lead singer's powerful vocal strength.

11. “Runaway (U & I)” By Galantis

Song Year: 2014

“Runaway (U & I)” By Galantis is one of the best songs about running away. It features feel-good dynamics that electronic music fans adore, and you can replay it severally without getting bored.

This track talks about chasing true love. Its lyrics are simple and reassure young people that they are not alone during their darkest moments, especially when facing relationship challenges.

12. “Runaway” By The Corrs

Song Year: 1995

“Runaway” was released by a popular Irish family band The Corrs. This song was the lead single for their debut album, Forgiven, Not Forgotten. It was originally written by Sharon, Andrea, and Caroline Corrs, and their elder brother Jim and David Foster produced it.

This song's lyrics focus on the challenges that many individuals have in their life with love. The instrumentation is high-quality and riddled with many emotions, perfect for a slow dance.

13. “The Great Escape” by Boys Like Girls

Song Year: 2007

Another good song about running away is “The Great Escape” by Boys Like Girls. This track was the band's second single on their album Boys Like Girls' eponymous debut album. It enabled them to succeed in their musical career, peaking at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song expresses a young person's desire to leave behind his youthful limitations and advance to the next phase in life where he can freely define himself.

14. “Before They Make Me Run” by The Rolling Stones

Song Year: 1978

This hip rock tune from the 1970s was written and performed by the enormous rock band The Rolling Stones. It was featured as the eighth song in their album, Some Girls.

The song's guitar riffs are excellent, and the vocals are heartfelt. Its lyrics focus on the negative habits that are challenging to quit. In the end, the song talks about walking away from bad habits for a better life.

15. “She's Leaving Home” by The Beatles

Song Year: 1967

Paul McCartney and John Lennon of the Beatles wrote the song “She's Leaving Home.” It's about a young girl who leaves home due to loneliness. Although her parents strive to provide her with everything she needs, she's not happy since they're always working.

No member of the Beatles played instruments during the song's recording. The instrumental background is a small string orchestra performed by Mike Leander.

16. “The Running Kind” by Merle Haggard

Song Year: 1978

“The Running Kind” is a classic country song written and recorded by Merle Haggard and The Strangers as the final single for their 26th album, A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today. This song peaked at #12 on the U.S. country singles list.

The song makes strong use of the concept of running away. It talks about how the protagonist has valued freedom and the ability to live without restrictions ever since childhood.

17. “Running Away” by Roy Ayers

Song Year: 1977

“Running Away” by Roy Ayers is the perfect song to listen to if you feel like running away from toxic people or characters. This disco classic depicts the story of a person packing their bags and leaving since somebody is mean to them.

Its shuffling beat and joyful lyrics express the happiness of escaping an oppressive or abusive person, inspiring you to pack your bags and go.

18. “Run Away With Me” by Carly Rae Jepsen

Song Year: 2015

Carly Rae Jepson recorded “Run Away With Me,” originally written by Shellback Bao Jepsen, Noonie Bao, and Oscar Holter.

This upbeat pop ballad received universal recognition and was rated the best pop song in 2015. It mainly talks about a couple who are deeply in love and have decided to run away together and live a happy life.

19. “Runaway” by AURORA

Song Year: 2015

The song “Runaway” was special for the Norwegian singer Aurora since it was featured in her first E.P., Running with the Wolves, in 2015. The song was also included in her debut album, All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend, released in 2016.

Although it talks about running away, it also emphasizes the desire to return home and feel secure. The song's lyrics got inspired by the singer's pain of being separated from her family.

20. “Running Away” by Hoobastank

Song Year: 2002

“Running Away” is the third single in Hoobastank's debut album. Listening to this song may make you feel empathetic toward the singer. It talks about someone running away from their problems and how their loved one is helping them.

The song enabled Hoobastank's music career to blossom. It was ranked the second-best song in the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks.

21. “Runaway Love” by Ludacris ft. Mary Blige

Song Year: 2007

“Runaway Love” was written by Polow da Don, Ludacris, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, and Keri Hilson. It was then produced by Polow da Don and released as the third single in Ludacris' fifth album, Release Therapy.

This song uses the concept of running away to depict the challenges of growing up in a disastrous family and wishing to leave it.

22. “Silent Running” by Gorillaz

Song Year: 2023

“Silent Running” is one of the most recent songs about running away, written and performed by Gorillaz. This song explores current issues of social media.

It explains how people nowadays use social media to escape their problems, forgetting that social media is the reason they are experiencing several challenges in the first place. Although it has a scary vibe, the beat is lively, keeping you entertained.

23. “Janie's Got A Gun” by Aerosmith

Song Year: 1989

Tom Hamilton and Steven Tyler wrote this song by Aerosmith. It includes samples of “Starting Off the Day” by Strawberry Alarm Clock and “Junior Jet Set” by Keith Mansfield from the KPM album Flamboyant Themes.

“Janie's Got A Gun” talks about the girl who was abused by her father and her desire to run away. It was rated as the fourth-best song on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and even won a Grammys award in 1990.

24. “Cowboy Take Me Away” by Dixie Chicks

Song Year: 1999

“Cowboy Take Me Away” was written by Martie Maguire and Marcus Hummon and recorded by the popular country music group Dixie Chicks.

The band drew their inspiration for the song's title from the slogan used in advertising for Calgon bath and cosmetics products. By 2000, it peaked at the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks list.

The song's theme is about a young woman who wishes to leave everything behind and run away with their lover to start a new life.

25. “Be My Escape” by Relient K

Song Year: 2004

“Be My Escape” was recorded and released by a Christian rock band, Relient K, in 2004 when they were climbing to the top of their music career. This song gave them popularity and was rated #82 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

It mainly talks about a person frustrated with their tendency to fall into negative cycles. They only want to break out of this pattern and their self-doubt.

26. “I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock Of Seagulls

Song Year: 1982

“I Ran (So Far Away)” is a track about the singer's fruitless efforts to run away from a girl he is madly in love with but who might not be great for him.

This song features a heavy synth sound, which was a signature for most songs in the early 80s. Although it was well received in other parts of the country, it failed to make it to the U.K.'s top 40 songs, the band's home country.

27. “Born To Run” by Bruce Springsteen

Song Year: 1975

Although this song is about Bruce Springsteen's love confession to his crush, it also talks about running away. The song describes two teenagers' desire to run away and start their life together. Additionally, it celebrates youths and the urge to live life to the fullest while still young.

“Born to Run” received a lot of positive reviews upon its release. Numerous critics hailed it as one of the best rock albums ever.

28. “Gotta Get Away by The Offspring

Song Year: 1995

Youths normally undergo a lot of pressure due to expectations from society. These feelings prompted Dexter Holland to write a song about what he was going through. He then recorded and released it with his band, The Offspring.

Holland explains issues with self-doubt and social anxiety and how he occasionally feels like running away from everything he is. This song achieved success, which was a huge win for him since he had risked his education to pursue his music career.

29. “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars

Song Year: 2010

The song “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars combines funk, pop rock, doo-wop, and soul, allowing listeners to enjoy themselves. Its instrumentals comprise hand claps, police sirens, finger snaps, and raspy guitar riffs.

The lyrics depict a playboy ready to break women's hearts regardless of their feelings. Bruno advises the women to run away from him since he'll break their hearts if they get close to him.

30. “Take The Money and Run” by The Steve Miller Band

Song Year: 1976

“Take The Money and Run” is a rock song written by Steve Miller and later recorded by The Steve Miller band. According to Miller, his inspiration for the song resulted from his childhood road trips with his parents.

The running away concept gets used in “Take the Money and Run” to convey a satirical story about two lovers who escape after violating the law. Throughout the song, detectives pursue the duo so they can pay for their crimes.

31. “Runnin' Away” by Sly And The Family Stone

Song Year: 1972

This funk soul ballad was released in 1972 by an American band known as Sly And The Family Stone as a single on their album, There's a Riot Goin' On.

The song is interesting because it addresses the subject's desire from a critical external viewpoint. It uses the running away concept to convey how the song's protagonist is trying to escape the harsh realities of life. Nevertheless, some listeners say the song is about a person undergoing depression.

32. Till I'm Gone by Tinie Tempah Feat. Wiz Khalifa

Song Year: 2011

This list can't be complete without mentioning “Till I'm Gone” by Tinie Tempah Feat. Wiz Khalifa. Tinie Tempah is popularly known for producing club bangers, and the song “Till I'm Gone” where he features Wiz Khalifa, is undoubtedly one of them.

In the chorus, Wiz raps, saying he is running away from everything he knows, including his love, to work on himself and achieve his goals.

33. “I Think We're Alone Now” by Tommy James And The Shondells

Song Year: 1967

Adults often control most teenage relationships, making it stressful for most teenagers since they want to be left alone and enjoy quality time with their lovers.

“I Think We're Alone Now” is a song about teenagers running away to spend time together, but their parents catch them. Richie Cordell wrote this song, and it perfectly describes the things that most teenage couples go through.

34. How To Disappear Completely by Radiohead

Song Year: 2000

Most Radiohead songs have cryptic meanings, and “How To Disappear Completely” is no different. Thom Yorke originally wrote this acoustic ballad, among his best works. Guitar effects and orchestral strings back the song’s instrumentals.

The theme of this song is wanting to disappear completely from difficult situations in life so you can find yourself again.

35. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift

Song Year:2008

Closing the list of songs about running away is “Love Story” by Taylor Swift. This song was featured on her second album, Fearless.

In the song, Taylor talks about how her family didn't approve of her relationship with the boy she liked using Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet story as the reference point. She also says that she wishes they could escape for a while and be together.

Top Songs About Running Away, Final Thoughts

Running away is one of the common themes in most songs nowadays. Musicians use it to express many emotions, including fear, anxiety, loneliness, aspiration, and even happiness.

This list demonstrates how music can help divert your attention from problems and calm you whenever you feel overwhelmed with problems.