It Keeps You Runnin'

"It Keeps You Runnin'" is a song by the American rock band The Doobie Brothers. The song was written by band member Michael McDonald, and served as the third single from their sixth studio album Takin' It to the Streets. It was also covered and released as a single by Carly Simon.

"It Keeps You Runnin'"
Single by The Doobie Brothers
from the album Takin' It to the Streets
B-side"Turn It Loose"
ReleasedOctober 5, 1976
StudioWarner Bros. Studios, North Hollywood, California
GenreCountry rock,[1] blue-eyed soul
Length4:20 (album version)
3:53 (single version)
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)Michael McDonald
Producer(s)Ted Templeman
The Doobie Brothers singles chronology
"Wheels of Fortune"
(1976)		 "It Keeps You Runnin'"
(1976)		 "Little Darling (I Need You)"
(1977)

The Doobie Brothers version was featured in the 1994 Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump, and was included on the film's multi-platinum selling soundtrack album.[2]

The song was also featured in the soundtrack of the 1978 film FM.

Lyrics and music

According to Allmusic critic Jason Elias, the music of "It Keeps You Runnin'" reflects a "jazzy R&B influence" and "gospel-based keyboard shading."[3]

Elias described the lyrics as the singer "trying to talk some woman into listening to what her heart is trying to say -- the oldest trick in the book."[3]

Track listing

7" single

  1. "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 4:20
  2. "Turn It Loose" – 3:53

Personnel

Additional Personnel

Charts
Chart (1977) Peak
position
Billboard Pop Singles (Hot 100)[4] 37

Carly Simon version
"It Keeps You Runnin'"
Single by Carly Simon
from the album Another Passenger
B-side
  • "Look Me in the Eyes" (US)
  • "Be With Me" (UK)
Released1976
GenreRock, blue-eyed soul
Length3:56 (single/album version)
LabelElektra Records
Songwriter(s)Michael McDonald
Producer(s)Ted Templeman
Carly Simon singles chronology
"Waterfall"
(1975)		 "It Keeps You Runnin'"
(1976)		 "Nobody Does It Better"
(1977)

American singer-songwriter and musician Carly Simon covered "It Keeps You Runnin'" for her sixth studio album Another Passenger, and the song served as the lead single. Simon's version charted on both the Billboard Pop singles chart and the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[5]

Billboard described it as an "interesting mid -tempo rocker" with a "jazzy feel" that has a powerful vocal performance by Simon.[6] Billboard specifically praised the guitar playing and the hook.[6]

The Doobie Brothers provided backing vocals on the track.[7] Ted Templeman produced both Simon's and The Doobie's versions, as well as each of their albums from which the song is featured.

Personnel

Track listing

7" single (US)

  1. "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 3:56
  2. "Look Me In The Eyes" – 3:34

7" single (UK)

  1. "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 3:56
  2. "Be with Me" – 1:53

Charts
Chart (1976) Peak
position
Billboard Pop Singles (Hot 100)[8] 46
Adult Contemporary[9] 27

References
  1. "9 of the best Michael McDonald songs of all time".
  2. "Forrest Gump [Original Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  3. Elias, Jason. "It Keeps You Runnin'". Allmusic. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  4. "The Doobie Brothers – Chart history | Billboard". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  5. Mike Ragogna (August 30, 2010). "Dukes of September, McCartney's Guitarist & An Australian's Tourabout: Conversations With Michael McDonald, Brian Ray, and Xavier Rudd". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  6. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. June 5, 1976. p. 74. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  7. "Another Passenger". carlysimon.com.
  8. "Carly Simon – Chart history | Billboard (Hot 100)". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  9. "Carly Simon – Chart history | Billboard (AC)". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
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