Run 2

"Run 2" was New Order's third and final single from their 1989 album Technique. The album version was listed as simply "Run".

"Run 2"
Single by New Order
from the album Technique
B-side	"MTO"
Released	28 August 1989
Recorded	1988 at Mediterranean Studios, Ibiza, and Real World Studios, Box
Genre	Alternative rock, techno
Length	3:45
Label	Factory - FAC 273
Songwriter(s)	John Denver, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Bernard Sumner[1]
Producer(s)	New Order
New Order singles chronology
"Round & Round" (1989) "Run 2" (1989) "World in Motion" (1990)

Overview

"Run 2" was remixed by Scott Litt from the version on Technique, hence the appendage of "2" to the title. The main difference is that the song has been made more radio-friendly by editing down most of the long instrumental run-out and appending it with a final repeat of the chorus. Litt's mix strips back much of the echo and layers of synthesizers, and in place centres the mix on Sumner's vocal and the bass guitar of Peter Hook. Despite the effort taken to produce a radio single, only 20,000 of the Factory 12" release were ever pressed. 500 7-inch records were also pressed, for promotional use. The single was only released in the UK.

John Denver's publishing company filed a lawsuit, alleging that the guitar break in "Run" too closely resembled Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane".[2] The case was settled out of court. The song has since been credited to New Order and John Denver.

"Run 2" is backed with the B-side titled "MTO". This song recycles the line "You've got love technique" from the group's previous hit single "Fine Time" (this is the only lyric in the track). An extended mix of "Run 2" with additional beats by Afrika Islam and an alternate 'minus' mix of "MTO" by Mike "Hitman" Wilson appear as B-sides on the 12" version of the single.

Artwork

Peter Saville, the single's cover designer, claimed to have been inspired by the design of laundry powder packaging. The tiny print on the back of the sleeve says, "Cover by Peter Saville Associates after Bold."

Track listing

7": FAC 273-7 (UK)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Run 2" (Remixed by Scott Litt)	John Denver, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner	3:45
2.	"MTO" (Remixed by Mike 'Hitman' Wilson)	Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner	3:43

12": FAC 273-12 (UK)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Run 2" (Remixed by Scott Litt)	Denver, Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner	3:45
2.	"Run 2" (extended version) (Remixed by Scott Litt)	Denver, Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner	5:22
3.	"MTO" (Remixed by Mike 'Hitman' Wilson)	Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner	3:43
4.	"MTO" (Minus Mix) (Remixed by Mike 'Hitman' Wilson)	Gilbert, Hook, Morris, Sumner	5:24

Chart positions

Chart (1989)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart[3]	49
UK Independent Singles Chart[4]	1

Video

The video was directed by the photographer / filmmaker Robert Frank and produced by Michael Shamberg. The band was filmed in Los Angeles, while the street scenes are in New York City featuring the British actor David Warrilow.[5]

References

1. ASCAP entry
2. Mack, Bob (1991-01-11). "Plane Tiff". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2011-08-19.
3. "The Official Charts Company - New Order". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
4. "Indie Hits "N"". Cherry Red Records. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
5. Michael Shamberg, A Collection Of Details. New Order Discography, https://www.niagara.edu/neworder/video/collectiondetails.html, accessed 27 December 2018.