Music video by Bon Jovi performing Runaway. (C) 1984 The Island Def Jam Music Group

"Runaway" is the debut single by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was originally recorded in 1981 for the so-called "Power Station Demos" at the beginning of singer Jon Bon Jovi's career, featuring the vocalist backed by session musicians.

The song became a surprise hit in 1983 on WAPP-FM (now WKTU), leading to the formation of the first proper lineup of Bon Jovi for a short tour.

The track was recorded in 1982 at the Power Station recording studio, and released to radio in 1983. Jon Bon Jovi chose studio musicians who were recording with other artists using the studio at the time—these musicians became known as "The All Star Revue", which included: bassist Hugh McDonald (who would join Bon Jovi in 1994 as an unofficial member); guitarist Tim Pierce (who was working on a John Waite record with producer Neil Giraldo); drummer Frankie LaRocka; and keyboardist Roy Bittan. The keyboard intro was written by Mick Seeley—then of John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones and later with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes—who also performed backing vocals on the track with David Grahmme.

Lyrics

On the street where you live girls talk about their social lives

They're made of lipstick, plastic and paint, a touch of sable in their eyes

All your life, all your life all you've asked when's your daddy gonna talk to you

But you were living in another world tryin' to get your message through.

No one heard a single word you said.

They should have seen it in your eyes

What was going around your head.

Ooh, she's a little runaway.

Daddy's girl learned fast

All those things he couldn't say.

Ooh, she's a little runaway.

A different line every night guaranteed to blow your mind

I see you out on the streets, calling for a wild time

So you sit home alone 'cause there's nothing left that you can do

There's only pictures hung in the shadows left there to look at you

You know she likes the lights at night on the neon Broadway signs

She don't really mind, it's only love she hoped to find

Ooh, she's a little runaway.

Daddy's girl learned fast

All those things he couldn't say.

Ooh, she's a little runaway.

No one heard a single word you said

They should have seen it in your eyes

What was going around your head.

Ooh, she's a little runaway

Daddy's girl learned fast

All those things he couldn't say

Ooh, she's a little runaway

Daddy's girl learned fast

Now she works the night away

Ooh, she's a little runaway

Daddy's girl learned fast

All those things he couldn't say

Ooh, she's a little runaway

Daddy's girl learned fast

Now she works the night away