Ten Cover Songs I Love: Runaway (#10)

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As I warned you, I'm looking at a group of cover songs that I love. And when I say "love," I mean I like them at least as much as the original....if not more! I'll point out those rare instances later (and it might shock you whose original gets beaten by the cover!). Here's the first song on the list. #10: Runaway - Bonnie Raitt At the risk of incurring the wrath of John (no relation to the wrath of Khan), I'm starting with a Bonnie Raitt song. No, he doesn't care for Bonnie. That's fine with me: we're talking opinion here, not fact. You may love haggis, while I hate it, but I'll defend your right to eat it!!!! And hey, a lot of people who remember and love that fun, upbeat, happy-sounding song of heartbreak that was Del Shannon's biggest hit in 1961. (Quick aside here: ever notice how the theme from The Munsters ripped off the organ riff in the interlude of this song?) You'll never hear me complain about the Del Shannon original. It's a favorite oldie. However, sitting next to it on the iPod is the bluesy cover that Bonnie Raitt released on her great Sweet Forgiveness album in 1977. I promise, the Steve Miller connection (Miller's harmonica player, Norton Buffalo, is the one doing the harmonica playing) has nothing to do with why I love this version. (I had no idea that was Norton Buffalo playing the harmonica on Raitt's version until 1979 or so!) For me, the lyrics of a pain-filled, broken-hearted person "walkin' in the rain, tears are fallin' and I'm feelin' pain, wishing you were here with me to end this misery" screams "blues." And Bonnie delivered. They're quite different versions, and I dearly love them both. Runaway Written by Del Shannon and Max Crook Originally recorded by Del Shannon, 1961 Covered by Bonnie Raitt, 1977 Bonnie Raitt on the Midnight Special (with Norton Buffalo), covering "Runaway":