Runaround Sue

"Runaround Sue" is a pop song, in a doo-wop style, originally a US No. 1 hit for the singer Dion during 1961 after he split with the Belmonts. The song ranked No. 342 on the Rolling Stone list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[3] The song was written by Dion with Ernie Maresca, and tells the story of a disloyal lover.

Contents 1 Lyrics 2 Chart performance 2.1 Weekly singles charts 2.2 Year-end charts 3 Leif Garrett cover 4 Chart performance 4.1 Weekly singles charts 4.2 Year-end charts 5 Other cover versions 6 References 7 External links

Lyrics
The lyrics are sung from the point of view of a man whose former girlfriend, named Sue, was extremely unfaithful. He warns all potential lovers to avoid her at all costs, as Sue "runs around" with every guy she meets and never settles down with any man in particular. He advises "Now people let me put you wise, Sue goes out with other guys" and suggests that potential suitors should 'keep away from Runaround Sue'. Dion stated in his autobiography "The Wanderer" that although his wife's name was Susan, Runaround Sue had nothing to do with her.

Chart performance
Weekly singles charts

Chart (1961-62)

Peak position

New Zealand [4] 1

US Billboard Hot 100[5] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1961)

Rank

U.S. Billboard [6] 46

Leif Garrett cover
"Runaround Sue"

Single by Leif Garrett

from the album Leif Garrett

B-side "I Wanna Share a Dream With You"

Released November 1977

Genre Pop

Label Atlantic 3110

Writer(s) Dion DiMucci and Ernie Maresca

Producer(s) Michael Lloyd

Leif Garrett singles chronology

"Surfin' USA" (1977) "Runaround Sue" (1978) "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" (1978)

"Runaround Sue" was covered by Leif Garrett in 1977. In early 1978, his version reached number 13 on Billboard and number 18 on Cash Box. The song also reached number 15 in Canada.

Chart performance
Weekly singles charts

Chart (1977-78)

Peak position

Australia [7] 8 Canada RPM [8] 15 New Zealand [9] 23 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 13 WLS-AM (Chicago) [10] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1978)

Rank

Australia [11] 70 Canada [12] 119 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 [13] 101 WLS survey (Chicago)[14] 42

Other cover versions
In 1980, English group Racey released a cover version which reached number 13 on the UK charts. John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band covered the song in 1983, for the movie Eddie and the Cruisers. Gary Glitter also covered it on C'mon... C'mon The Gary Glitter Party Album (1997). G-Eazy sampled the song in his 2011 album The Endless Summer.[15][16] Human Nature covered the song on their 2014 album Jukebox.