It Keeps You Runnin'
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| "It Keeps You Runnin'" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Doobie Brothers | ||||
| from the album Takin' It to the Streets | ||||
| B-side | "Turn It Loose" | |||
| Released | October 5, 1976 | |||
| Studio | Warner Bros. Studios, North Hollywood, California | |||
| Genre | Blue-eyed soul[1] | |||
| Length | 4:20 (Album version) 4:07 (Single version) | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Songwriter | Michael McDonald | |||
| Producer | Ted Templeman | |||
| The Doobie Brothers singles chronology | ||||
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"It Keeps You Runnin'" is a song by the American rock band The Doobie Brothers. It 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.[2]
The song was also featured in the soundtrack of the 1978 film FM.
According to AllMusic critic Jason Elias, the music of "It Keeps You Runnin'" reflects a "jazzy R&B influence" and "gospel-based keyboard shading."[3]
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."[3]
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."[4]
Track listing
7" single[5]
- "It Keeps You Runnin'" – 4:07
- "Turn It Loose" – 3:53
Personnel
- Michael McDonald – keyboards, vocals
- Patrick Simmons – guitar, backing vocals
- Jeff "Skunk" Baxter – guitar
- Tiran Porter – bass, backing vocals
- Keith Knudsen – drums, backing vocals
- John Hartman – drums
Additional Personnel
- Ted Templeman – percussion, producer
- Bobby LaKind – congas
