LOVED IT! 🎵 Del Shannon - Runaway REACTION

[@scottNNJ]

“Trees went by, me and Del were singing little Runaway, I was a-flyin’”. -Tom Petty, Runnin Down a Dream

[@notgivennotgiven7776]

That was Tom's tribute to him cause he was supposed to be in the Traveling Wilburys

[@John_Locke_108]

Same comment I was gonna make.

[@FreeDonaldTrump1]

Oh wow I never picked up on that. That’s awesome!

[@albertsmith9315]

You beat me to it... always loved that line. Petty worked with Del up until he committed suicide. Sad.

[@gc5054]

That's a brilliant line. It makes me think of driving thru the mountains in a convertible jamming Petty and then Del! ✌️

[@throwabrick]

That solo instrument was an early synthesizer. Developed by... "Max Crook, far from a household name but an important technical pioneer. He invented the Musitron, an adapted version of the 1947 creation the clavioline. It was an electronic keyboard that gave space-age sound effects to popular music decades before the synthesizer." An easy way to tell early synths is they have a very particular way of being very thin in the high notes, but with a LOT of bass growl in the ln the low notes, kind of like a string instrument, but with that spacey, hollow sound. It is especially easy to pick them out when they do a glide from a low note to a high one, they sound very artificial in the way the sound changes as the pitch shifts, and the vibrato wobble of synths is also very mechanical and noticeably unnaturally regular.

[@quincee3376]

Interesting. Thx for that info!

[@salbuda6957]

Nice explanation! 1961, not exactly exciting times for r&r, the time was ripe for something, anything that was fresh, catchy...different. Crook’s invention, the speed up of Del Shannon’s vocal track to get the right pitch, ....Magic!! 🙂

[@armadillotoe]

Thank you. I thought it might be a caliope. Always good to learn new things.

[@raffaojeda]

thank u tiratabique = throw a brick

[@danlefou]

I remember claviolines clamped to the right hand end of piano or organ keyboards. It was quite a small instrument!

[@peterstilla8733]

The year was 1961, and for many people this is their favorite pre-Beatles rock and roll song. It's an absolute classic that you never tire of hearing.

[@KrisPaterson]

Gives me stand by me vibes the song and movie

[@edwardcricchio6106]

Kennedy was in the White House, Vietnam was some place far away place and we were all young. The British Invasion was a few years off and this was the music that defined a generation---The '50s, not the '60s.

[@OldNicksVid]

The waa waa was Del's vocal cords. No commercial vocal synths in 1961. Male rock singers of the early sixties often had falsetto segments in songs (see Frankie Valli, Lou Christi, Brian Wilson, etc.) The instrumental was probably done on an electronic organ of the time. The dancers on the pop music shows of the early and mid sixties were professional dancers wearing the clothes that "the kids" were wearing to polish up the dancing on display. Many pop music shows (usually from LA) had a staff of "go-go dancers" for the lip-synch performances.

[@edsmith3461-z7m]

She's a runaway because she left him. He's crying in the rain, A what went wrong with our love A love that was so strong

[@moonknight4053]

Lot of guys experience in terms of love and relationships summed up in his lyrics. 💔

[@paulrobilotti9294]

His girl friend left him

[@edsmith3461-z7m]

@@paulrobilotti9294 That's what I said

[@christinerobinson9372]

This style became Very popular. OMG, the girls dancing in the circle are doing "The Pony"! We had dances in our public and Catholic schools on Saturday nights and we were all there Doing The Swim and The Pony! Several girl groups adopted this sound and storytelling style. Brad, really good analysis, very insightful and shows you have been doing some research! Lex, you are very in tune with the Pink Floyd sound, you will enjoy the early Genesis years and the Phil Collins Genesis still-prog-sort-of years. But guys, one of these days you have to venture into Gentle Giant.

[@bencool8239]

Sock hop..

[@mgman6000]

All those girls are now grandmother's

[@christinerobinson9372]

@@mattbecham597 Not quite, but close. I am a damn good-looking 70 yr old. Interested?

[@christinerobinson9372]

@@bencool8239 My sister is four years older than me. She called them sock hops, and wore white socks with saddle shoes. I was much more sophisticated. I went to dances and wore love beads. He he he!

[@asierrahiker]

My cousin was a guitarist in Del's band before he hit it big with this song. My cousin's grandson performs Del Shannon songs in tribute still today.

[@patriciadrury8557]

That is really lovely of your grandson I know del would appreciate that del was a lovely kind ma

[@wkanost]

I love the “Doo-Wop” rock of the 1950’s! Del Shannon, Dion, Sam & Dave are among the best! If you ever watch the movie “American Graffiti” the film has a constant music soundtrack playing over every minute of the film. Del Shannon and many others are on the soundtrack so I think you’d really enjoy the film on many levels. Thanks!

[@jflaugher]

Del Shannon isn't Doo-Wop. Dion & the Belmonts were Doo-Wop. The Del Vikings were Doo-Wop. The Penguins were Doo-Wop. The Spaniels were Doo-Wop. The Platters were Doo-Wop. Del Shannon didn't have any of the backing vocals necessary for it to be classified as Doo-Wop. Besides, that phrase, "Doo-Wop," didn't exist at the time. It was all just Rock & Roll. At the time Rock & Roll consisted of Rockabilly (like Elvis, Carl Perkins, the Everly Brothers), Rhythm & Blues (like Fats Domino, Little Richard, Chuck Berry), and vocal groups (of whom the Platters were the most successful).

[@MarcosElMalo2]

If they were to do movie reactions, they should definitely do American Graffiti.

[@jflaugher]

@@MarcosElMalo2 fun movie

[@jackolson8775]

Probably 1 of the biggest musical influences I have is seeing that movie in the theater when I was about 10yrs old. Great Fn movie !

[@danconroy8293]

On Tom Pettys Running down A Dream...he refers to Del singing little runaway.

[@markmeyer7526]

It occurs to me it might be hard for Brad, Lex and their age group to even imagine how care-free young people in the early 60's could be-- how music like this both reflected and elicited not having a care in the world. These lyrics were basically whimsical and for fun, as was singing in falsetto, and the whole up-tempo energy. Borrowing a phrase from the time, it was all about "letting your hair down."

[@nickkruger9566]

Del Shannon was THE transition from the 50's to the 60's.

[@peterblood50]

This song is one of those songs that became an instant classic. It's iconic to the era and a blast to sing with, especially the why why why part.

[@richardvincelette9741]

Tears of joy in my eyes because this song was absolutely amazing, especially for the time it was released

[@easyrolling]

This song is so iconic in rock history, a lot of people forget Shannon had many other hits , some worth listening to: Hats Off To Larry , Stranger In Town & Keep Searchin' .. nice reaction

[@johncagnettajr344]

Del Shannon influenced many songwriters such as Tom Petty, Jeff Lynn of ELO, The Smithereens (who you have yet to discover), Elvis Costello, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. He was a bridge from Doo-wop to rock.

[@paulcrehan4710]

The Smithereens were such a cool band. Had a bunch of great songs Got to see them before Pat DiNizio passed away. RIP Pat

[@mrbniederer]

Bonnie Raitt covered this song. It’s a great version with a rockin’ harmonica solo played on the original recording by a female harp player. You can find a video of a performance with the late great Buffalo Norton doing his harp magic on the solo handling 4 different key instruments in and out of his pockets. Freaking great!

[@arthurdrake3274]

Listening to this song on the car radio late at night in the 60s. Some memories are golden.🔥

[@jackolson8775]

This is an all-timer for me. Dion-The Wanderer , The Drifters-Under The Boardwalk , DelVikings -Come Go With Me & The Skyliners-Since I Dont Have You, are some essential 50s RnR and a few of my personal favs.

[@MasterJohnMoss]

Iconic song used in a TON of movies and TV shows. 'Crime Story' being the first thing that comes to mind. Del Shannon was being considered for the Travelling Wilbury's before he passed away, I believe. As a replacement for Roy Orbison.

[@easyrolling]

It was a rumor at the time after Orbison's death but the rest of the band denied it. The point became mute after Shannon took his own life at 55.. A major influencer on many artists..

[@kevinfleming9542]

Torello for President 2024

[@charlesberton2581]

This is the first professionally released song that featured synthesizers. This is 1961, barely the 60s. Love it! Thanks, cats.

[@LynnThompsonAuthor]

This is an iconic song from my younger childhood. Everybody knew the words and sang along with it, and as y'all said, it's so catchy! Very danceable. As for the culture in the '60s, things were very much more focused on people being part of a couple. Most women in the '50s did not go to work, but stayed at home to run the family household. In the '60s, women were starting to have more careers, but they still pretty much expected to get married and become housewives and mothers one day, at which time they'd quit their jobs. Most women who went to work then were secretaries, schoolteachers, nurses...traditional "women's" careers. Until the 1970s, a woman couldn't even get a credit card in her own name without her father or husband signing for her to get it; the assumption was that someone else took care of a woman's expenses; that was the excuse for women being paid less than men - the assumption was that their income was secondary to the primary income for the household. Credit cards in general were not as prevalent in the '60s as they are now; most people paid cash for things like cars and only financed a large purchase like a house. They may have had a "revolving charge card" - meaning you could stretch out payments on it - at a department store, but there were no major credit cards like Visa or MasterCard until later in the '60s. Business executives may have used a Diner's Club card for their company expense account. Most credit accounts were short-term and people paid them off every month. And lots of department stores had "lay-away" where you could pay for something and they'd hold it for you until you paid it off; people would make weekly payments on the purchase. Oh, and the go-go dancers that kept circling the platform he was on in this video remind me of the fembots in the Austin Powers movie!

[@leonardshevlin7260]

My father bought a car in the 1950s and when he told his future wife how many payments he had left she wasn't familiar with the concept.

[@salbuda6957]

Do you remember the S&H Green Stamps? My mom would have books of these before redeeming them! 🙂

[@salbuda6957]

Telephone operators, were essentially all women as well. My Mom worked as an operator before she had us kids. When we were old enough, she would work odd jobs here and there..eventually going back to what was still NJ Bell, before the divestiture.

[@patkelly8309]

Thanks Lynn. Your comment made me smile

[@Skulllywag]

@Lynn Thompson Correct on all accounts. Which goes to show not ALL things improve with the passage of time. Today, most families MUST have both parents working full time to afford a house, cars, ect. MOST women no longer stay home with their children, and they are basically raised by daycare/schools. Today, the country runs on debt, not income, and interest charged today would have gotten you thrown in jail for racketeering or loan sharking in the 50's and 60's. A LOT of changes were necessary and positive...some were detrimental. I sometimes wish I could have lived as an adult in the 50's or 60's... maybe not permanently, but for a year or two... I love my technology.

[@gnoath5684]

Dude went to my highschool decades before me. I was even awarded the scholarship named in his honor for music students at my high school. It's a shame he had dreams beyond his means and he ended his own life from the depression it caused him. But his widow and hometown still honor this man's name.

[@donnastupka7507]

Yes, a different time! Music was so much fun!! Great reaction!💃💃💃

[@Roikat]

The first song I remember hearing in my life and the first monophonic synthesizer solo in the history of pop music. Max Crook, the keyboardist, developed the instrument from a modified organ and stunned keyboard players with the fluid monophonic glissando sound several years before Keith Emerson played the famous Moog solo on “Lucky Man” that demonstrated the same principle again. Great reaction as always.

[@alanmusicman3385]

First synth solo - Johnny and the Hurricanes might have something to say about that! e.g. "Red River Rock" in 1959 a couple of years before "Runaway".

[@Roikat]

@@alanmusicman3385 I’ll have to check that out! We could of course go back to Thaddeus Cahill, but his invention played over the phone lines.

[@alanmusicman3385]

@@Roikat I bet that sounded rough! Is there a recording of it at all?

[@Roikat]

@@alanmusicman3385 Cahill’s Telharmonium project was in process from 1898-1914, but according to synthmuseum there are no surviving recordings. He was trying to market a live synthetic Muzak service streamed to telephone, believe it or not! It used tonewheels that later influenced Hammond organs.

[@switchflow5405]

One of Jeff Lynne's biggest influences, in his own words.

[@jonniiinferno9098]

Jeff Lynne - ELO founder -- (sorry to butt in - however, they might not know or remember who Jeff Lynne is...)

[@soundhealer6043]

That's interesting because all I hear when I hear n ELO tune is the Beatles.

[@jonniiinferno9098]

@@soundhealer6043 one of the Beatles said - "if the Beatles band ever had a baby - it would be ELO"

[@floridabelle]

This really takes me back... in a good way. It was definitely a favorite song of mine. 1961, 12 years old, and a fan crush on Del Shannon. It was probably my first one. 😊

[@LordEriolTolkien]

is that you mum?

[@brianrowe236]

I was 11, in the UK, when this came out and was hooked on Del Shannon. I bought all his singles up to and including Two Kinds of Teardrops. by far my favourite artist. Then the music scene changed over here when four Liverpudlians burst on the scene and I'm afraid Del took a back seat. Still love his songs though.

[@floridabelle]

@@LordEriolTolkien Lol. 🤫.... my newest crush, Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) is playing, with Lorna Shore up next. 🤘👅🤘

[@floridabelle]

@@brianrowe236 Yeah, there was always someone new to take over the #1 spot. We've been very fortunate to hear so many decades of music as it happened.

[@joesmith8725]

Good reaction yall! Yep! Doo-wop music (popular in the late '40s, '50s, and early '60s) , soda pop shops, poodle skirts, etc. Doo wop was still pretty big in the early-mid '60s. BTW, thats the synthesizer, early usage back in the '60s as well by other bands. This song I'm sure yall heard it on movies before and covers. "Hats off to Larry" and "Runaround Sue" are other big songs from Del. RIP Shannon, died so young. Barely in his 50s back in the early '90, shot himself (depression).

[@bostonvair]

That iconic keyboard solo was by the late, great Max Crook who invented a synthesizer-like instrument he called the "Musitron" which predated the Mellotron by a couple of years and the Moog Synthesizer by a few more years. It was based on an earlier (1940s) keyboard instrument called the clavioline. You should see the movie "American Grafffiti" which features a double album worth of great Doo-Wop era music including this song. There is a scene near the beginning of the movie with some of the fabulous cars cruising around town while that Musitron solo plays, which makes a fabulous soundtrack for those moments.

[@1moredayof]

The baritone sax is a major sound in this song!

[@stevenblock9712]

This went to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1961 and Boomers know it well. He had other hits over the next 3 years, but none as big as this. Go-go dancing was in the mid-60's along with go-go dancers on TV's Shindig and Hulabaloo :)

[@M_ondo]

Definitely it was so popular it was selling 80,000 copies a day for a few weeks.

[@russallert]

I always thought that the high vocal wah-wah part was a big influence on Crocodile Rock by Elton John (1972). Del Shannon recorded the song in 1961, when rock & roll still had a lot of the 50s doo-wop influences in it. This video, which is actually a clip from the TV show Hollywood a GoGo, is from about 1965-66, so the song was already a bit of an oldie, and the go-go dancers seen in the clip wouldn't have even been a thing when the song came out in '61. Things changed very fast over the course of the 60s.

[@mukomerobicheaux6883]

thanks, I was wondering about the timing.

[@visitor9408]

What a great song, this was an intro to some criminal episodes in the 80's or 90's, brings back nostalgic thoughts. It's called "Crime Story" btw.

[@jamesmcleod4001]

I love Lex and her enthusiasm on song's and how she reacts

[@richardsmith5477]

Tom Petty pays homage to this on his song, Runnin down a dream.

[@stevescott6503]

The wah wah wah is from an organ, for a while it was very popular to have an organ in a band in the 60's

[@0944clayton]

I love this song

[@tomcollens4621]

Huge song in ‘61! Still popular today among the older crowd (like me)!

[@joshmckeown7816]

I'm 40 and I've always loved this song as do many friends of mine

[@bobharder2070]

I just love to see your reactions to the music that I grew up with I'm 73 years old and I love all kinds of music I've listened to a lot over my life and I'm glad to see you young people listening and appreciating good quality. More power to you ❤!

[@TangoEliott]

A favorite from my childhood. Not all lyrics are literal.

[@ainsleyperry5192]

Brad & Lex, A travelling Fairground came to our town and while there you could go to a booth and ask to have a song played. On the Saturday night this song had so many requests it was the only song he played back to back all night. When the super group the Travelling Wilbury's got together for the first time to practice they started with a song they all new and Runaway was the song. They recorded a great version later on. 60 years later it still sounds great. Thank you for this. Cheer's, Chris Perry.

[@laudanum669]

Growing up in the 60's-70's I remember my Dad playing this song often. He also played Johnny Rivers, Janis Joplin , Joe Cocker, Three Dog Night and many more groups. That's how I discovered and found my love for all kinds of music. Thanks Dad, I miss you.

[@jamesbolton9752]

I remember this well from when I was in the 6th grade. I'm 72.

[@scottmelligan1281]

Dell Shannon...rockin' the cardigan sweater. The epitome of cool.

[@zq9m3xh8]

One of the absolute greatest oldies of all time. Look at just about any oldies compilation CD, and this will likely be on it.

[@rustyrhodes9256]

I love watching you guys. Brad is so serious and Lex is just bee bopping her *ss off you guy’s are fun. Lol

[@margaritakmp]

I loooveeee this song so much! In my head it's always paired with Runaround Sue by Dion, similar time period and possibly just the similar song titles lol. But highly recommend you react to Runaround Sue as well!!

[@ohioproud]

Great song from the early 60’s.

[@richdiana3663]

The innocence of those times is sadly lost forever. Party on.

[@Advocatus_Diab0li]

Hats off to Larry, Keep searchin(we'll follow the sun), stranger in town, two silhouettes, little town flirt...so many great songs of his

[@thunderstruck5484]

Remember the short lived series “Crime Story” Dennis Farina mid 80s , this song was the opening, classic cool , thanks y’all!

[@cayminlast]

I remember my mom dancing around the kitchen to this and other songs of the time on the radio, wow! what memories it conjures up, thanks.

[@anglosaxon5874]

Great song. Always like this as a kid [my dad played it a lot]. It was number 1 in the year I was born [1961]. Did not realise that he shot himself in 1990 suffering from depression. What a waste. He was 55.

[@mzansianime]

Lol Brad's eyes when Del hit the high note the first time lol. Classic!

[@StevenNagle-e7g]

First heard Del Shannon on some 50's compilation tapes. Loved the voice and the pace of his tunes. Wouldn't mind hearing more of the songs that are probably forgotten by then.

[@HockeyNationHD]

an old rock and roll classic that anyone who grew up listening to the oldies knows very well. right up there w runaround sue and some others.

[@davidg2122]

I like that you guys are going back in time more!

[@ToddSauve]

Michael Mann had a TV series back in the 1980s called "Crime Story" and had Dell Shannon write new lyrics for the song and used it as the theme for the show. I always loved Runaway since I first heard it back in the 1960s. The term "runaway" is simply a reference to his wife or girlfriend who has run away from him, and he is beside himself with worry about where she is and who will take care of her. Unfortunately Del Shannon committed suicide later in life.

[@markscutti9682]

Del Shannon, the replacement voice for Roy Orbison of the Traveling Wilburys. Unfortunately, passed away shortly there after. This was the only song they recorded together.

[@lisamills4473]

My dad gave me this when i was little he said he always played it to get me to sleep i still love it now at 45

[@gpxo11]

It was Del shannons' real voice doing the "wah wah"-both he and Lou Christie(Lightnin strikes) had high falsettos much like Frankie Valli of the Four seasons.

[@daveborder7751]

He was a big influence on Tom Petty, he references him & this song on Runnin' Down a Dream. Sadly Del suffered from depression in later years & shot himself dead in 1990.

[@auerstadt06]

I remember that like yesterday.

[@sixslinger9951]

My parents graduated HS in 1953. This is their generation of music and Elvis and several other classic artists. This makes me think of my parents so much and now they are both gone after 64 years of marriage. Miss them big time!

[@Dante1920]

They used this in the Dexter sequel series...it has a whole new atmosphere tied to for me now.

[@waynehackney5812]

It was also the theme to that great 80's TV show Crime Story.

[@TomGorham]

One of my first records I bought, (actually my mom bought for me). I was actually quite young. I still like it.

[@bobross1829]

One of the best "pre-Beatles" songs. 100% American rock from the late 1950's-early 1960's. In the 1980's this song kind of had a comeback because it was the theme for a TV crime show set in the early 1960's called "Crime Story" that was on right after Miami Vice (probably the most influential TV show of the 1980's in terms of the 1980's style and fashion) It got teens at the time addicted to early rock and roll.

[@mbsmith2197]

Your expressions are priceless!

[@leelee6683]

He did a version of this same song for the show Crime Story.

[@vibingwithvinyl]

Yup. It was a great show.

[@JK-gd3gz]

Love that show. I did not realize he re-recorded it for the show.

[@VersinKettorix]

That was the first place I ever heard the song and I loved it.

[@SebastianSmith-c5t]

He also did another version, a slower version in 1967.

[@WhistleStix]

Tom Petty mentions this song in Runnin' Down a Dream. When he sings: It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down I had the radio on, I was drivin' Trees went by, me and Del were singin' little Runaway I was flyin'

[@ddiamondr1]

Oh, man! The memories this song brings...my Uncle Glen had bought a 64 black Ford and brought it over to the house to show us. He took us down the highway where we lived in the Rocky Mountains, bright summer day, windows down, and Runaway on the radio. He let me sit in the front and I still remember the small cigarette pack rolled up in the sleeve of his white tee LOL. It is AMAZING how songs can instantly connect you to moments. THANKS!!

[@blastingweevil2968]

a true iconic song of the 60's fantastic tune.

[@johnmaloney5912]

I love how you both smiled when he broke out into his why, why, why, why she ran away ♥️♥️

[@mkmstillstackin]

This song is just king boss, no matter the generation. A catchy hook sang with passion, and the gravel in his voice just puts the cherry on top.

[@daz_n]

My Dad's favourite singer. A great back catalogue for you guys to explore. RIP Del. 🙂

[@stevenlawrence7340]

He re recorded this in the 80's as the theme to the great tv show "CRIME STORY". Including a guitar solo. The cast filmed a music video with Del as well. Great tune original or remake.

[@continentalaquatics2725]

The part that sounds like an organ solo was mimicked in Scandal’s “Goodbye to You” on a keyboard.

[@joesmith8725]

You are right! I had forgotten about that. On the synthesizer solo and other parts of that song/video. Scandal was a cool '80s new wave/power pop band. "Goodbye to You" "Love's Got a Line on You", "Beat of a Heart", and "Warrior" are videos from Scandal, Brad and Lex should check out later hopefully. Brad would love Patty Smyth's voice, too. She's pretty, too lol

[@aspringwind]

One of my favorites when I was 11. My babysitter and her boyfriend used to play it on the radio. My transistor radio was my best friend, in a sense.

[@s.willis8426]

When he gets to the line "I was walking in the rain" you can almost hear the origins of the grandfathers of punk rock The Ramones. Joey loved this music, they covered lots of 50's-60's songs but you can hear the origins of a punk growl in Del's voice at that line.

[@bradcolorado8149]

I still make the "wa wa" sound when things don't go my way

[@jangle4246]

Great song! I saw Del Shannon perform "Runaway" and other songs in Chicago, when I was a teenager in the early 60s. It was a good show.

[@lindaphillips5134]

I grew up in Chicago. Was there in the 60s. Loved this song, it was out the summer before I started High school

[@drServitis]

0:52 THAT FIRST HIGH SQUEEK GOT BOTH BRAD AND LEX TO REACT, LOL!

[@GinaGeeILuvu]

I love this song, it's a classic! There was a show in the eighties called Crime Story that used this as its theme song, Michael Mann was the producer, he also produced Miami Vice, the mega popular and stylish eighties cop drama. This song has been used in so many movies and TV shows that you've probably heard it from one of those. 💖💖

[@patches1589]

Bonnie Raitt did a cover of this song in the 70's. She did a phenomenal version.

[@jeannieschmidt2217]

Yes! I love her version of this song. The first time I actually heard it was in Christine.

[@pewpewpewAK47]

So glad you played this song. It was one of my favorites I played in the 70's and 80's cruising my chopped deuce coupe... Great memories.

[@fredkrissman6527]

I was 12 when this song was released, and I quickly memorized the words and voice style, and sang it incessantly for months, and occasionally for the rest of my long life! Thanx for sharing the first listen experience with us.

[@kassandrariemersma7902]

I grew up on this era of music my mom loved it and I do too.. so lucky to be the age I am and era I was born in the music from the 50s and up this song though makes me happy cause I have wonderful memories of her singing it and others

[@aggiemom4894]

I grew up listening to the Oldies But Goodies with my parents! this was 1 of my favorites you just wanna get up and dance!

[@mrb4749]

Song is 61 years old loved it then still do. This was so popular it was selling 80000 copies a day for a few weeks. The keyboard was a Musitron to make the groovy sound specially designed for this song. It became the synthesizer. He had a high falsetto loved it. A few good songs followed nothing like this.

[@SteveInTheOC]

I’m just old enough to have experienced a real soda fountain shop, in the mid sixties we still had one in our town. Grandma would walk us there for goodies.

[@paulrollings5291]

The "Wha wha" is Del's actual voice.

[@joshmckeown7816]

Del Shannon has always been one of my favorite early Rock n Roll stars, I'm 40 years old, I always preferred listening to my Mom's boxes of albums over what was on the radio growing up! This is Dels most well k own song but he has loads of great songs, my favorite album of his is actually the album he made with Tom Petty in 1981; Drop Down and Get Me is a great album

[@accam6734]

One of the great classics of early 60's rock n roll.

[@steve3291]

The keyboard killed it!

[@danw4490]

I love this song! It was a favorite in my childhood and I still love it today!

[@rdub9767]

I love the fact that u two are starting to venture even further back into early popular popular music. The songs from this era were light on lyrics but were very original and catchy.

[@kasiaopila7205]

Love this song. Always gets me moving.

[@garyloger9416]

Listen to "Rhythm of the falling rain" by the Cascades. This was my favorite song when I was a kid.

[@alanconrad8490]

great singer....great song....classic

[@maxwellshammer5283]

A song of my youth. Before The Beach Boys and The Beatles changed things.

[@flibber123]

I always assumed that back when this song came out, a single woman just leaving on her own was not the usual behavior. So in this song he's singing about not just being dumped by the girl he loved, he's singing about how she just walked away from him and her entire life. Now she's out there somewhere, doing who knows what, and he's wondering things like where will she even live? This is a level above 'she dumped me for another guy'. in this song her attitude was more like 'F all of you, I'm out of here!'

[@MrJlpz45]

First video I've seen of you guys, I loved Lex's real time reactions to this song, it's one of my faves from when I was a kid. Great commentary from tou both. 👍👍👍

[@chrisa4695]

This song is a little before my time. I heard bits and pieces of it growing up but did not really know it until it was used as the theme song to the TV Show, “Crime Story” in the late 80’s.

[@davidotto3731]

On a sad note, he suffered from depression and in 1990 took his own life. He was only 55. The Traveling Wilbury's recorded a tribute version of this song.