About The Song
“Runaround Sue” is a classic rock and roll song written by Dion and Ernie Maresca, originally released in 1961 as a No. 1 hit for Dion after he split with The Belmonts. The song tells the story of a disloyal lover, who has a reputation for playing with men’s hearts, and is the titular “Sue.” Dion mentioned in the liner notes of his box set that the song originated from a jam session at a schoolyard.
The song’s meaning has been interpreted in various ways over the years, but it generally serves as a cautionary tale about falling in love with someone who can’t be trusted. The lyrics describe Sue as “sweet Sue” with a “woke laugh,” and she takes every man for a ride, every single guy in town.
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Lyrics
Here’s my story, it’s sad but true
It’s about a girl that I once knew
She took my love then ran around
With every single guy in town
Yeah, I should have known it from the very start
This girl would leave me with a broken heart
Now listen people what I’m telling you
A-keep away from-a Runaround Sue, yeah
I miss her lips and the smile on her face
The touch of her hand and this girl’s warm embrace
So if you don’t wanna cry like I do
A-keep away from-a Runaround Sue
She likes to travel around, yeah
She’ll love you and she’ll put you down
Now people let me put you wise
Sue goes out with other guys
Here’s the moral in the story from the guy who knows
I fell in love and my love still grows
Ask any fool that she ever knew, they’ll tell ya
Keep away from-a Runaround Sue
Yeah keep away from this girl
I don’t know what she’ll do
Keep away from Sue!
She likes to travel around, yeah
She’ll love you and she’ll put you down
Now people let me put you wise
She goes out with other guys
Here’s the moral in the story from that guy who knows
I fell in love and my love still grows
Ask any fool that she ever knew, they’ll tell ya
A-keep away from-a Runaround Sue
Stay away from that girl
Don’t you know what she’ll do now
Keep away from that girl