Runner (song)

The Runner, also Runner, is a song written by Canadian rock musician Ian Thomas, his version released in 1981 on the album of the same name. It was also recorded by Manfred Mann's Earth Band, an artist known for making hits of reworked cover songs, and released as a single in 1984. It reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.

"Runner"
Single by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
from the album Somewhere in Afrika
B-side"No Transkei"
Released1984
Recorded1981-2
StudioMastersounds Underhill Studio, London
Genre
Length4:40
LabelBronze (UK original release)
Cohesion (UK 1999 reissue)
Arista (U.S.)
Songwriter(s)Ian Thomas
Producer(s)Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann's Earth Band singles chronology
"Demolition Man"
(1983)		 "Runner"
(1984)		 "Do Anything You Wanna Do"
(1986)
This page is about the hit song recorded by Manfred Mann's Earth Band, for the Cozy Tapes song see Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends

The Song

Ian Thomas was a moderately successful artist in Canada, whose songs have been covered by bigger artists a number of times. He was inspired to write this song by Terry Fox, a Canadian hero who set off on a run across the country on one good leg and a prosthetic leg, having lost the other due to cancer. The run was to raise awareness of cancer and seeking funding for cancer research. Tragically, Fox died about half-way through. "I wanted to capture that gallantry, the importance of passing on the flame", related Thomas. His version was included in the 1983 movie The Terry Fox Story.[1]

This song was also covered by Sheila in 1981.

Manfred Mann version

The timing on Manfred Mann's version was especially good, as it came out right before the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles, prompting especially heavy play. Trevor Rabin, at that time the guitarist of the progressive rock band Yes, played the guitar solo on this track.

The video for the Manfred Mann version, directed by Lindsey Clennell, received heavy airplay on MTV. In it, the band performs near a campfire at night (shot on a soundstage), interspersed with video of runners either racing, or carrying the Olympic torch, much of which was footage shot for the recent Olympic games in Munich and Montreal.[2]

This version of the song was used in the film The Philadelphia Experiment.

Track listing
  • 7" single
A. "Runner" – 4:40
B. "No Transkei"
Chart (1983-84) Peak
position
Canada RPM 34
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[3] 22

Musicians

Technical
  • Manfred Mann – producer
  • Lars Finnstrom – engineer
  • Terry Medhurst – engineer

References
  1. Rock musician Ian Thomas' A Life in Song goes to the symphony
  2. Manfred Mann's Earth Band
  3. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
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