Take It On The Run – REO Speedwagon | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#5); 1981
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
REO Speedwagon’s Hi Infidelity, and its hit Take It On The Run, embodies the essence of 1980’s arena rock. For the hard working band, the success of their 11th album was vindication of the highest order.
Naming their band after an early fire engine designed by Ransom Eli Olds, the Champagne, Illinois quintet got together in 1968. Six years and two failed LP’s later, Ridin’ The Storm Out finally made the album Top 200 peaking at a lackluster #171.
REO’s chart fortunes didn’t improve much throughout the 1970’s as release after release muddled around the middle regions of the top 100 sellers. Still, chart performance only told part of the story as the band’s energetic live performances continually expanded their fan base.
With Kevin Cronin in fine form on vocals and guitarist Gary Richrath’s solid songwriting, REO poured their years-long experience into Hi Fidelity with astonishing results. Hi Infidelity soared to #1, becoming the top album of 1981, and ultimately selling over 15 million copies.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Kevin Beamish
- Kevin Cronin
- Alan Gratzer
- Gary Richrath
Lyrics Written by:
- Gary Richrath
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).