Runaway Boys

Album: Built For Speed (1980)
Charted: 9
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In an interview with the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Brian Setzer said: "'Runaway Boys' being a little more of a song, song, not just a turnarond song, that took us a while to put together. Jim (Phantom) helped with the lyrics and it took a while to get right. I came up with bass going chunk, chunk, chunk, chunk, and wrote the song around that. I mean there's no set rules, I'll have an idea in the shower, I'll come up with the riff or something, I'll have it floating around in my head, I'll get an idea and I'll get inspired to write some lyrics, I'll get a real catchy phrase that I like. I'll hear someone saying something and I think, oh that's great and he actually said something else. I don't know, there's no way of putting any, it doesn't make any sense, it just comes to you."
  • This was Stray Cats breakthrough single in the UK, although it got little attention in America.

Comments: 4

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 12th 1982 "Rock This Town" by the Stray Cats peaked at #9 (for 4 weeks) on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; it had entered the chart on September 12th and spent 21 weeks on the Top 100...
    "Runaway Boys" did not chart in the U.S.A., but their next three releases in America all made the Billboard's Top 10; "Rock This Town" (#9),
    "Stray Cat Strut" (#3), and "(She's) Sexy + 17" (#5)...
    And their 1982 album 'Built For Speed' peaked at #2 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart.
  • Angus from Ottawa, OnYeah, well, Stray Cat Strut was nothing like Rockabilly. Oh well.
  • Ben from Pensacola, FlWow ! Only 1 song listed by the Cats ? This is terrible they had some great songs. 'Rock This Town', 'Stray Cat Strut'.
  • Bruce from Long Branch, NjYou have to be *bleeping* kidding me. Stray Cat Strut is much better.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.