"It Keeps You Runnin'"
Single by The Doobie Brothers
from the album Takin' It to the Streets
B-side"Turn It Loose"
ReleasedOctober 5, 1976
StudioWarner Bros. Studios, North Hollywood, California
GenreBlue-eyed soul
Length4:20 (Album version)
4:07 (Single version)
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)Michael McDonald
Producer(s)Ted Templeman
The Doobie Brothers singles chronology
"Wheels of Fortune"
(1976)		 "It Keeps You Runnin'"
(1976)		 "Little Darling (I Need You)"
(1977)

"It Keeps You Runnin'" is a song by the American rock band The Doobie Brothers. The song was written by band member Michael McDonald, and served as the third single from their sixth studio album Takin' It to the Streets (1976). It was also covered by Carly Simon the same year and released as the lead single from her sixth studio album Another Passenger.

The Doobie Brothers version was featured in the 1994 Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump, and was included on the film's multi-platinum selling soundtrack album.[1]

The song was also featured in the soundtrack of the 1978 film FM.

Lyrics and music

According to AllMusic critic Jason Elias, the music of "It Keeps You Runnin'" reflects a "jazzy R&B influence" and "gospel-based keyboard shading."[2]

Elias described the lyrics as the singer "trying to talk some woman into listening to what her heart is trying to say -- the oldest trick in the book."[2]

Reception

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated "It Keeps You Runnin'" as the Doobie Brothers 10th greatest song, describing it as being "California-funky."[3]

Track listing

7" single[4]

  1. "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 4:07
  2. "Turn It Loose" – 3:53

Personnel

Additional Personnel

Charts

Chart (1977) Peak
position
Billboard Pop Singles (Hot 100)[5] 37

Carly Simon version

"It Keeps You Runnin'"
Single by Carly Simon
from the album Another Passenger
B-side
  • "Look Me in the Eyes" (US)
  • "Be With Me" (UK)
Released1976
GenreRock, blue-eyed soul
Length3:56 (single/album version)
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)Michael McDonald
Producer(s)Ted Templeman
Carly Simon singles chronology
"Waterfall"
(1975)		 "It Keeps You Runnin'"
(1976)		 "Half a Chance"
(1976)

American singer-songwriter and musician Carly Simon covered "It Keeps You Runnin'" for her sixth studio album Another Passenger, and the song served as the lead single.[6] Simon's version charted on both the Billboard Pop singles (Hot 100) chart and the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[7]

The Doobie Brothers played and provided backing vocals on the track.[8] Ted Templeman produced both Simon's and The Doobie's versions, as well as each of their albums from which the song is featured.[6]

Reception

Billboard described it as an "interesting mid -tempo rocker" with a "jazzy feel" that has a powerful vocal performance by Simon.[9] Billboard specifically praised the guitar playing and the hook.[9] Cash Box said that Simon's "vocal is always clean and sensuous, and sensitive to the excellent backing," calling the song "an upbeat cut, with attractive chord changes and hook-filled lyric."[10] Record World called it "a refreshing change of pace for the songstress who sounds very comfortable with the palpitating percussive Doobies beat."[11]

Personnel

Track listing

7" single (US)[12]

  1. "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 3:56
  2. "Look Me In The Eyes" – 3:34

7" single (UK)[13]

  1. "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 3:56
  2. "Be with Me" – 1:53

Charts

Chart (1976) Peak
position
Canada (RPM)[14] 47
US Billboard Pop Singles (Hot 100)[15] 46
US Billboard Adult Contemporary[15] 27

References

  1. ↑ Ruhlmann, Ruhlmann. "Forrest Gump [Original Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  2. 1 2 Elias, Jason. "It Keeps You Runnin'". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  3. ↑ Gallucci, Michael (February 12, 2013). "Top 10 Doobie Brothers songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  4. ↑ "The Doobie Brothers – It Keeps You Runnin'/Turn It Loose". Discogs. 1976. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  5. ↑ "The Doobie Brothers – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  6. 1 2 Ruhlmann, William. "Another Passenger". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2007.
  7. ↑ Ragogna, Mike (August 30, 2010). "Dukes of September, McCartney's Guitarist & An Australian's Tourabout: Conversations With Michael McDonald, Brian Ray, and Xavier Rudd". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  8. ↑ "It Keeps You Runnin'". Carlysimon.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. June 5, 1976. p. 74. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  10. ↑ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. June 5, 1976. p. 16. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. June 5, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Carly Simon – It Keeps You Runnin' - US". Discogs. 1976. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Carly Simon – It Keeps You Runnin' - UK". Discogs. 1976. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  14. ↑ "CAN Charts > Carly Simon". RPM. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Carly Simon – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
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