"Running Scared" is a song by American musician Roy Orbison, which was released as a single in March 1961.
This song remained forever in the classic repertoire of this artist who conquered the charts in the early 60's with his unique voice, which contained an emotion that left a mark in Pop and Rock. Besides that, Orbison had the great talent of mixing the saddest ballads with the delicacy of the symphonic, occupying nuances worthy of a classical work together with a perfect vocalization.
With the help of composer Joe Melson, Roy Orbison wrote a classic piece that borders on the melodramatic under a tense musical part that is guided by a guitar strumming typical bolero notes.
Orbison, an expert in creating memorable ballads, in "Running Scared" explores the wildest side of the human being, which is to duel for a woman's yes.
Under a story that mixes betrayal, jealousy, pride and anxiety, this musician from Vernon, sails through the seas of a problematic situation while an orchestra gradually adds its notes to give that feeling of suspense in the air that grows with the passing of the minutes.
The other thing that makes Orbison piece even more striking is the play with fear, with the atmosphere of danger generated by a fight between a couple, especially when an ex-boyfriend gets in the middle of the conversation. From this war of egos, lies and betrayal begins a theme that perhaps many ballads have already dealt with, even if in a less risky way, but as Orbison sees it, no one has ever done it before. The same goes for the idea of including a guitar in the middle of the rock and roll era with a bolero rhythm, this sonorous experimentation is faithfully credited to Roy.
With a masterful climax, where the singer doesn't even muss his hair standing on end, this song was ready to be a hit. Which it finally was, since Orbison reached the first place in the Billboard charts thanks to "Running Scared", and the ninth place in the United Kingdom, remaining as a classic piece within his repertoire.
