Title: Runaway
Label: Kaleidoscope Records
Genre: Pop
Lenght: 3:24
Writer(s): Liam Allen, Natasha Iver
Producer(s): Liam Allen, George Jauregui
Released: June 23rd 2015

"Runaway" is the debut solo single from singer/songwriter The Zone it is also the first single any member has released since the group split up the song was penned down by Liam Allen and Natasha Iver it was produced by Allen and George Jauregui who also has production credits on SYNCO's debut album and The Zones debut and only album "The High Life" so the two already knew what they were getting into when they started working together the song speaks about loving someone to the point of wanting to just leave behind everything and everyone else and runaway with them it has a sort of upbeat modern doo-wop sound to the beat similar to that of Meghan Trainor's music it also slightly samples "Stand By Me" by Ben E King in the beat Liam has stated the song is part of a fictional story he will be telling throughout the album which contains themes ranging from love, to cheating, to heartbreak coming to terms with the heartbreak he has also stated that this song is the perfect one to release as the lead single because it gives a little taste on what the album will be about without completely spoiling the story and theme of it

Lyrically: Lyrically the song speaks about loving someone to the point of wanting to leave everyone and thing behind and just running off with this person as stated earlier the lyrics are actually really good compared to some of The Zone's work which was a bit cheesy but what can you expect from a boy band especially on their debut album and sure this track does have it's cheesy moments but it doesn't take it to the levels any of the songs from "The High Life" did there's definitely a sense of growth and maturity here in comparison once again to The Zone's album and the fact that Liam actually wrote the song or at least his parts on his own is great considering how many writers were used on that album and sure this track isn't pure brilliance lyrically but it definitely does have a few catchy and sweet lines that make for a great pop song do I think these are lyrics of the year? Far from it with artists like Valentina Hart, Cristina Lake, Henry Johanson, etc releasing music I doubt too many pop artists will get lyrics of the year however I will say it is one of the better pop songs I've heard in awhile so good job to Liam and Natasha here 4/5 for lyrics

Production: The production of this track was done very nicely especially considering this is the first time we've ever seen/heard Liam produce anything but yes production credits here go to Liam and George Jauregui who was called in to clean it up just a bit the song maintains a rather cool laid back yet upbeat and fun sound with a modern day doo-wop style that can be compared to the likes of Meghan Trainor, Brunos Mars, etc it slightly samples the Ben E King classic "Stand By Me" in some parts which is a nice little nod to the classic song the song is nearly perfect production wise and it's very refreshing to hear this type of track with all of the more modern or current pop music on the radio Liam and George once again did a great job here so 5/5 for the production of this track

Vocals: Vocally both of the artists did an amazing job here Natasha has already proven herself to be an amazing singer throughout her entire debut album and shows no exception here Liam however who was known as the weakest vocalist of The Zone really seems to have stepped his game up tremendously here showing a lot of growth and maturity in his voice I don't know what he done but his vocals which usually came off as slightly annoying and nasally sound almost completely different here his vocals aren't only tolerable on this song but actually pull the listener in along with the great production of course I don't know how Liam managed to step it up here but lets all just pray that he keeps it up the two also managed to pull out some amazing harmonies sounding as though their voices were made for each other earning themselves another 5/5 here vocally

Synopsis: The song starts out with just Liam's vocals as he sings "Let's runaway and just get lost" before the beat kicks in we hear a baseline sampling Ben E King's "Stand By Me" along with a few other instruments as Liam continues singing showing off his rather improved vocals here after finishing the opening/chorus we hear the beat kick in a bit more continuing the Ben E King sample as Liam sings in a more laid back relaxed tone as he goes through the verse after the verse finishes we hear him head into the pre-chorus where he shows off his vocals a bit more here as the song begins to build up towards the chorus we hear him harmonize with himself after singing the first word before the beat goes back into that laid back style we hear Liam and Natasha come in harmonizing the first line before we hear Liam come back in singing the rest for the second half of the chorus we hear them both harmonize throughout the whole thing after finishing the chorus we hear Natasha come in for her verse giving us a few nicely done runs and showing off her incredible vocals before the two both head into the pre-chorus again which is done the same way as before except we hear Liam and Natasha harmonize through the main parts along with Liam harmonizing with himself through the back up parts the song then slows down once again as we hear Liam come in for the chorus he sings in a lighter voice as he also switches the "You got everything I want" to "I've got everything you want" we then hear Natasha come in singing in a similar style before we hear the beat kick in once again as the two harmonize throughout the final chorus once more before singing the last half of it again and bringing the song to an end

Liam: So this is it huh? Finally got to release my debut solo single it sucks letting go of the group but I'm actually really happy to be doing this anyway the meaning of the song is rather self-explanatory but it's basically about wanting to run off with someone and just forget everything else and be with that person this was one of the first songs I wrote for this album and I loved it while writing it but I knew it needed a female vocalist and at the time Natasha had just released her debut album so I was listening to that and I was like "Fuck this woman is extremely talented" so I got into contact with her gave her a quick rundown on the song and how it fit into the album he liked it and agreed to it and the rest is history she was amazing while writing her part and she really delivered vocally as you'll hear on the track so yeah it was really great working with her if you're reading this thanks again Natasha oh and there will be a video but not until the album is released so yeah thanks hope you guys enjoy the track thanks again"

Natasha: "I was super into the song when I first heard it. It has a very classic - almost piano bar type - feeling to it, and I was like, 'Heck yeah, I wanna be part of that!' Plus, Liam was super professional and sweet. I used to have a huge crush on him when he was in The Zone (shhh, don't tell him), but he made me feel so comfortable even though I was so obviously freaking out, just singing with him. The song is something probably everybody has thought about at least once. You know, you find somebody that you really like, and you start thinking, 'Why do we even need these other people? Let's just get away from here, just me and you.' It's a great time, and I think song really accurately captures the fun and happy emotion that comes with meeting somebody you really like like that."
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Soundalike




Lets runaway and just get lost
You got everything that I want
So what do you say you wanna go?
We'll drive all night long
Lets runaway and just get lost

We'll drive from hotel to hotel
Just you and I and no one else
It'll be our secret I won't tell
We got a whole ocean we can sail yeah

Woah and on those cold nights I'll hold you closer
(Oh I'll hold you closer)
We'll find some trouble
(Find some trouble)
Down to rumble
(Down to rumble)
But it's fine as long as I'm with you

Lets runaway and just get lost
You got everything that I want
So what do you say you wanna go?
We'll drive all night long
Lets runaway and just get lost
You got everything that I need
Baby will you run off with me?
So what do you say you wanna go?
We'll drive all night long
Lets runaway and just get lost

And if we ever slipped away
No one could ever make us stay
I'm just waiting for you to say,
"Come on, we're leaving today"
You know I'd go with you

Woah and on those cold nights I'll hold you closer
(Oh I'll hold you closer)
We'll find some trouble
(Find some trouble)
Down to rumble
(Down to rumble)
But it's fine as long as I'm with you

Lets runaway and just get lost
Oooh baby I've got everything that you want yeah
So what do you say you wanna go?
We'll drive all night long
Lets runaway and just get lost

Lets runaway and just get lost
You got everything that I want
So what do you say you wanna go?
We'll drive all night long
Lets runaway and just get lost babe
You got everything that I need
Baby will you run off with me?
So what do you say you wanna go?
We'll drive all night long
Lets runaway and just get lost

So what do you say you wanna go?
We'll drive all night long
Lets runaway and just get lost