Keep On Running (Jackie Edwards song)

"Keep on Running"
Song by Jackie Edwards
Released	1965
Recorded	1965
Genre	Soul
Writer	Jackie Edwards
Cover versions
The Spencer Davis Group The Romantics John Alford Robben Ford

"Keep on Running" is a song written and originally recorded by Jackie Edwards, which became a number one hit in the UK when recorded by The Spencer Davis Group.

Recordings

"Keep on Running" was written by Jamaican singer-songwriter Jackie Edwards, who as well as having a successful singing career, was working in the UK for Island Records as a songwriter.^[1] The song was recorded by Edwards for his 1965 album Come on Home, and he recorded it again in the mid-1970s for his Do You Believe In Love album.

The song was recorded by the Spencer Davis Group who had a number one hit with it in 1966.

It was also a UK hit for John Alford in 1996, released as a double A-side with "If", and peaking at number 24.^[2]

"Keep on Running" has also been recorded by several other artists including Robben Ford (as the title track of his 2003 album), and The Romantics (on Live on Stage).

The Spencer Davis Group version

"Keep on Running"
Single by The Spencer Davis Group
B-side	"High Time Baby"
Released	November 1965
Format	7", 45 rpm
Label	Fontana TF632 (UK) Atco 45-6400 (US)
Writer(s)	Jackie Edwards
Producer	Chris Blackwell
The Spencer Davis Group singles chronology
"Strong Love" (1965) "Keep on Running" (1965) "Somebody Help Me" (1966)

The song was most successfully recorded by The Spencer Davis Group and released as a single in November 1965 on Fontana Records, backed with "High Time Baby".^[3] At the time, Chris Blackwell, who produced the recording, was trying to get his Island label established in the UK and was managing the Spencer Davis Group. He was loaned funding from Scala Brown Associates for the single by offering a sizable share of his label as security; The success of the single meant that he was quickly able to repay the loan.^[4] It was a number one hit on the UK Singles Chart in January 1966.^[5] In the United States it reached number 76.^[3]

This version was included in the soundtrack of the 1988 film Buster and was used during the film's opening sequence that saw "Buster Edwards" (Phil Collins) steal a suit from a shop window for a friend's funeral. The song was not included on the CD release of the soundtrack, but did appear on the cassette and vinyl formats.

It was also playing on the radio on the soap opera Coronation Street when character Val Barlow was killed by electrocution in 1971.^{[citation needed]}

The song was also included in the 2007 romantic comedy Run Fatboy Run directed by David Schwimmer.^[6]

In 2009 the song was in Susan Nickson's Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps as the title to the eighth episode of series 8 and the soundtrack when Gaz tries to find the woman he wants (Donna).

References

1. ^ Colin Larkin (1998) "The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae", Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9
2. ^ "Keep on Running" (John Alford), Chart Stats, retrieved 2010-07-30
3. ^ ^{a b} Strong, Martin C. (2002) The Great Rock Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-312-1, p. 265
4. ^ Scala, Mim (2009) Diary of a Teddy Boy : A Memoir of the Long Sixties, Goblin, ISBN 978-0956149701, p. 84
5. ^ "Keep on Running" (Spencer Davis Group), Chart Stats, retrieved 2010-07-30
6. ^ "IMDB Soundtracks for Run Fatboy Run". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425413/soundtrack. 

Preceded by "Day Tripper"/"We Can Work It Out" by The Beatles

UK number one single (by The Spencer Davis Group) 20 January 1966 (1 week)

Succeeded by "Michelle" by The Overlanders