REO Speedwagon’s “Take It on the Run”: The Painful Suspicions of a Faltering Love
There are tunes that, with just a few opening chords, can transport you straight back to a specific moment in time, a feeling, a memory. For many of us who came of age in the late 70s and early 80s, REO Speedwagon’s “Take It on the Run” is precisely one of those. It’s a song that speaks to the uneasy feeling of infidelity, of rumors swirling, and the desperate hope that what you hear simply isn’t true. Released in March 1981, this powerhouse track was the second single from their monumental, diamond-selling album, Hi Infidelity. It followed in the colossal footsteps of their chart-topping ballad “Keep On Loving You” and proved that REO Speedwagon wasn’t just a one-hit wonder; they were a formidable force in the arena rock landscape. “Take It on the Run” soared up the charts, reaching an impressive No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and cracking the Top 20 in the UK, peaking at No. 19. This solid performance cemented its place as one of the band’s most recognizable and enduring hits.
The story behind “Take It on the Run” is rooted in a familiar, yet often painful, human experience: suspicion in a relationship. Penned by the band’s then-lead guitarist, Gary Richrath, the song initially had a different working title, “Don’t Let Me Down.” However, it was lead singer Kevin Cronin who, upon hearing Richrath’s demo, was reportedly “grabbed by the nuts” by its raw potential. Cronin, a master lyricist and melody crafter, then collaborated with Richrath to refine the song, ultimately insisting on the iconic title “Take It on the Run.” He also contributed the memorable, slightly ambiguous, but highly singable line in the chorus: “You’re under the gun / So you take it on the run.” This collaborative spirit, where Richrath’s driving guitar riffs met Cronin’s emotive vocals and lyrical prowess, was often the magic formula for REO Speedwagon’s biggest successes. It speaks to the chemistry that made Hi Infidelity such a landmark album.
At its heart, “Take It on the Run” is a narrative of growing doubt and the agonizing desire for honesty in the face of alleged betrayal. The opening lines, “Heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, who heard it from another / You been messin’ around,” immediately draw the listener into a world of whispered rumors and mounting unease. The protagonist is wrestling with conflicting emotions: he wants to believe his partner, dismissing “talk is cheap,” yet the persistent whispers chip away at his trust. The song captures that visceral conflict of wanting to deny what you hear, yet knowing deep down that there might be an uncomfortable truth lurking beneath the surface. It’s a poignant exploration of fidelity, suspicion, and the ultimatum that often arises when trust is broken. The ultimate message, “If that’s the way you want it baby / Then I don’t want you around,” is a painful declaration of a boundary being drawn, a line in the sand when faced with potential deceit.
What sets “Take It on the Run” apart, even within REO Speedwagon’s own catalog, is its perfect blend of driving rock energy and heartfelt vulnerability. Richrath’s guitar work is both muscular and melodic, propelling the song forward with an undeniable urgency that mirrors the protagonist’s emotional turmoil. And then there’s Kevin Cronin’s voice—so distinctly REO, full of earnestness and a touch of that Midwestern sincerity that endeared the band to millions. He doesn’t just sing the lyrics; he feels them, conveying the heartbreak, the confusion, and the simmering anger of someone confronting betrayal. The song’s structure, building from quiet suspicion to a powerful, almost desperate rock anthem, perfectly reflects the escalating emotions. For many, it wasn’t just a catchy rock song; it was the soundtrack to their own experiences with love, trust, and the painful lessons learned along the way. It’s a timeless piece that continues to resonate because, unfortunately, the challenges of trust and fidelity are as relevant today as they were when this enduring classic first hit the airwaves.