| "Run for Your Life" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Matt Cardle | ||||
| from the album Letters | ||||
| Released | 9 October 2011 | |||
| Format | CD single, digital download | |||
| Recorded | 2010-2011 | |||
| Genre | Pop, soft rock | |||
| Length | 3:43 (video/radio edit) 4:08 (album version) |
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| Label | Syco Music | |||
| Writer(s) | Gary Barlow | |||
| Producer | Gary Barlow | |||
| Matt Cardle singles chronology | ||||
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"Run for Your Life" is a song by British singer-songwriter Matt Cardle from his debut studio album, Letters. It was released as the album's lead single on 9 October 2011. The song was written and produced by Gary Barlow, and was the last song that Cardle recorded for the album.
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The song was written by Take That frontman Gary Barlow after Barlow took over the role of head judge on ITV talent series The X Factor, of which Matt was a previous winner. Barlow wrote the song following a request from the head of Cardle's record label, Simon Cowell. During an interview for Digital Spy, Cardle discussed the track: "I'm really, really happy to have had Gary Barlow write a song for me. We had 90% of the album written, and then really late in the process, Gary sent the song through. I really related to it. I've been in that position many times, you know, that the song is talking about. It's about not being good enough for the person you're with and not being able to give enough, I was nearly in tears recording the vocals.[1] I've actually been trying to write that kind of song for a long time - it's putting yourself down in a clever way. Gary nailed it, and then he let me have a go at singing it, I couldn't pass it up, so I'm really happy about that."[2]
The song first premiered on 19 August 2011, in a 30-second snippet posted by Cardle on his Facebook page. On 29 August, the song received its first radio airplay by Chris Moyles on BBC Radio 1. On 13 September 2011, the video for the song premiered on Cardle's YouTube channel. The song was officially released via digital download on 9 October 2011, with a CD Single release following the next day.
"Run for Your Life" was met with generally mixed to negative reviews. Digital Spy rated the song 3 out of 5, stating: "X Factor winners of the male variety have never had it easy. Steve Brookstein and Leon Jackson barely made it past a second single, while Shayne Ward and Joe McElderry were more recently banished from the Syco clique after failing to match the bar set by Leona and Alexandra. Fortunately for Matt Cardle, his anti-talent show image during last year's competition gave him a more promising outlook - but is it enough to buck the boys' worrying trend? Judging by 'Run For Your Life', it looks like he's finally succumbed to the peer pressure. Over an anaemic guitar-pop melody, he confesses he's not worthy of his kindly lass, admitting: 'You need someone to walk you back/ Someone to love you too before you ask" - before launching into the arm-waving, Gary Barlow-penned chorus. While Matt's famous falsetto manages a brief appearance, it's about the only distinguishable feature that remains from his once-rebellious nature."[3] It also called the single a "disappointing start."[4] The BBC described the single as "plodding" and "try-hard"[5] The Guardian said it "sounds like a song Barlow was happy for Take That to pass up."[6] Pop Ledge said it "was probably a Take That D-side cast off – not much to get excited about."[7]
WhatCulture gave it a positive review, commenting that "Run for Your Life" "shows off Cardle’s stunning vocal range"[8]
The music video was directed by Tom Watson, and was premiered on 13 September 2011 via Cardle's YouTube channel.[9] The video features Cardle performing in front of a video screen, watching images of a woman running along a beach, staring back at him. The video culminates when the woman jumps out of the screen, hugs Cardle, and the pair walk off into the distance.
The Observer notes that Cardle "grimaces like a man passing kidney stones in his new video."[10]
Cardle performed the song live for the first time on 9 October 2011 during the live results show of The X Factor, in front of songwriter Gary Barlow.[11]
| Chart (2011 | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[14] | 12 |
| Scotland (The Official Charts Company)[15] | 6 |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[16] | 6 |
| UK Download (The Official Charts Company)[17] | 7 |
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 7 October 2011 | Digital download, CD single | Syco Music / Columbia Records |
| United Kingdom | 9 October 2011 | Digital download | |
| 10 October 2011 | CD single |
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