"Run" | ||||
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Single by Nicole Scherzinger | ||||
from the album Big Fat Lie | ||||
Released | September 30, 2014 | |||
Format | Digital download CD Single | |||
Recorded | 2014 | |||
Genre | Soul | |||
Length | 3:30 | |||
Label | RCA | |||
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Nicole Scherzinger singles chronology | ||||
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"Run" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Nicole Scherzinger for her second studio album, Big Fat Lie (2014). It was written by Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels and Felix Snow of which the latter produced it alongside Chris "Tek" O'Ryan. The song was released on September 30, 2014 to contemporary hit radio by Epic Records in the United States as the lead single; however the release was never materialized. A piano-ballad which also includes dramatic strings, "Run" offers advice to the next broken heart.
The track garnered a positive response from music critics who praised Scherzinger's strong and emotive vocal performance and highlighted it as an album stand-out. Its accompanying music video was premiered through Vevo on October 12, 2014 and features Scherzinger in an opulent mansion. Commercially, "Run" failed to chart in the United States but charted on the Irish Singles Chart and UK Singles Chart at number 63 and 46 respectively.
In an interview with Idolator on October 14, with regards "Run's" release in the United States she said, "we did something quite unexpected that I don’t even think we realized we were gonna do. We actually had plans for another single, I guess we just took a leap of faith and believed in this song so much."
"Run" is vulnerable piano ballad where Scherzinger gives advice to the next girl in lines such as, "Don’t let him lead you to the dark / Don’t tell him all your secrets / He’ll leave you with a broken heart." According to Mike Wess "Run" showcases the singer's "underrated pipes."
Alex Kritelis of Bustle magazine described "Run" as "one of the most powerful ballads" but felt that the song wouldn't become a hit. Lewis Corner of Digital Spy praised Scherzinger for her "soul-baring vocal performance and stripped-down production proving Nicole's undeniable talent." Rory Cashin of Entertainment.ie agreed with Corner highlighting it as an album standout and "a great way to close out the album." Mike Wass described of "Idolator" described the song as "beautifully understated ballad" and felt the "lyrics are genuinely heartfelt." Chris DeVille from the website Stereogum described "Run" as the strongest material she's offered and lauded her decision to release it as he felt that "maybe her destiny is not steamy club jams with elaborate dance numbers but belting out torch songs in formal dresses at ornate theaters."