"Run" is a song written by Anthony Smith and Tony Lane, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in September 2001 as the lead single from Strait's album The Road Less Traveled.

Content

"Run" is a song by George Strait that describes the struggles of a man who is leaving Dallas. He takes a plane and a bus, and then rides a train that moves fast down the tracks. He lets out the clutch of his truck and drives away, but he can't escape the memory of his love. The song "Run" by George Strait is about a man telling a woman to run in a straight line, like cutting across the blue skies. She should run straight ahead, no matter what obstacles she encounters. He says that she should not be discouraged by obstacles, but should keep running.

Critical reception

Chuck Taylor in his review of the single for Billboard Magazine called the song's production "intriguing" and that Strait's "warm vocals weave through a haunting melody." He said that there is a progressive feel to the track but the mandolin and steel guitar keep it traditional.

Commercial performance

"Run" debuted at number 36 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the chart week of October 13, 2001. The song reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts in December 2001, where it was blocked by Toby Keith's "I Wanna Talk About Me". It then reached number 2 again in early January 2002, where it was blocked by Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)", and again in early February of the same year, being blocked by Steve Holy's "Good Morning Beautiful". It also peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it a minor crossover hit. The song has sold 390,000 copies in the United States as of April 2019. The song's b-side, "The Real Thing", was later the b-side to the album's next single, "Living and Living Well". Although not released as a single itself, "The Real Thing" charted at number 60 for the country chart dated March 22, 2003.

Cover versions

Country music singer Taylor Swift covered the song from the television special George Strait: ACM Artist of the Decade All Star Concert.

Charts

Year-end charts

Certifications