Song of the Day 5/30: Sly and the Family Stone, “Runnin’ Away”
The other single from Sly’s influential “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” album. “Family Affair is the No. 1 hit that fueled the 1971 LP’s sales; this one only reached No. 23, but despite its cynical lyrics it was one of the few tracks on the playlist with the laid-back, positive vibe that Stone left behind with the ’60s. In retrospect it sounds like proto-fusion with Nile Rodgers’ guitar. It’s a breath mint AND a candy mint.
Always liked this song. If I could describe it in one word, I think it’d be ‘laconic’.
In other words, atypical.