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Always on the Run (Isaak song)

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"Always on the Run"
Single by Isaak
Released19 January 2024 (2024-01-19)
GenrePop[1]
Length
  • 3:29 (original version)
  • 3:05 (Eurovision version)
LabelGood Kid gmbH
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Lost
  • Leo Jupiter
Isaak singles chronology
"Postcard"
(2023) 		"Always on the Run"
(2024) 		"Never the Same"
(2024)
Eurovision Song Contest 2024 entry
Country
Artist(s)
Language
English
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
  • Guderian
  • Lost
  • Jupiter
  • Taro
Finals performance
Final result
12th
Final points
117
Entry chronology
◄ "Blood & Glitter" (2023)
Official performance video
"Always on the Run" (First Semi-Final) on YouTube
"Always on the Run" (Grand Final) on YouTube

"Always on the Run" is a song by German singer-songwriter Isaak. It was written by Isaak, Kevin Lehr, Leo Jupiter, and Greg Taro, and jointly released on 19 January 2024 between Good Kid Records and Polydor Records. "Always on the Run" represented Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, where it finished in 12th place with 117 points.

Background and composition

[edit]

"Always on the Run" was written by Isaak Guderian, Kevin Lehr, Leo Jupiter, and Greg Taro.[2] According to Isaak, the song speaks about "running from the problems I never solved" to a location of "salvation".[3] In an analysis by Wiwibloggs' Tom Hendryk, they wrote that it addressed themes of "trapped in a cycle of uncertainty" between one's hopes and doubts. As a result of the battle, they end up "running away", tired of chasing success constantly and admitting a "sense of resignation" when it comes to altering his life.[4]

In interviews, Isaak stated that he did not write the song for the sole purpose of entering the Eurovision Song Contest, but eventually decided to enter the song after he thought about the opportunity.[5] On 19 January, it was released as an official competitor for Eurovision Song Contest – Das deutsche Finale 2024, Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR)'s national final to select Germany's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. On the same day, it was released as a digital download along with seven other songs competing in the competition.[6]

Critical reception

[edit]

"Always on the Run" has received negative reception. In a Wiwibloggs review containing several reviews from several critics, the song was rated 5.17 out of 10 points,[7] earning 33rd out of 37 songs on the site's annual ranking.[8] Another review by i's Emily Baker remarked the song as "boring", stating that she thought the song lacked uniqueness.[9] Vulture's Jon O'Brien ranked the song 29th overall, sharing the same sentiment as Baker in terms of the song's uniqueness and comparing it negatively to Lewis Capaldi, Rag'n'Bone Man, "or any number of British male vocalists who sound like they desperately need a throat lozenge".[10] ESC Beat's Doron Lahav ranked the song 32nd overall, stating that while they thought the song was "radio-friendly", they doubted if the song could compete for a good finish in the grand final.[11]

Music video and promotion

[edit]

Along with the song's release, an accompanying music video was released on the same day.[12] To further promote the song, Isaak announced his intents to participate in various Eurovision pre-parties throughout the months of March and April after his victory in Eurovision Song Contest – Das deutsche Finale 2024, including Pre-Party ES 2024 on 30 March,[13] the London Eurovision Party 2024 on 7 April,[14] and Eurovision in Concert 2024 on 13 April.[15]

Eurovision Song Contest

[edit]
Main article: Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

Eurovision Song Contest – Das deutsche Finale 2024

[edit]

Germany's broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest, Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), organized a nine-entry competition, Eurovision Song Contest – Das deutsche Finale 2024 to select its entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. A singular grand final was held on 16 February 2024. Eight songs were automatically chosen by the broadcaster to compete in the grand final, and another wildcard song was chosen via a separate televised competition.[16][17] The winner of the competition was selected by a 50/50 system of juries and televoting.[18]

"Always on the Run" was announced as a competing song in the competition on 19 January 2024 as an automatic qualifier,[6] where it was later drawn to perform third,[19] In the grand final, it managed to earn first place in both the juries and televoting, earning 24 total points, four points ahead of the runner-up, Max Mutzke's "Forever Strong".[20][21] As a result of winning the competition, the song won the rights to represent Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[22]

At Eurovision

[edit]
Isaak performing during the dress rehearsal at first semi final in Malmö, Sweden.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 took place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. As Germany was a member of the "Big Five", Isaak automatically qualified for the grand final.[23] He was later drawn to perform in the first half of the grand final.[24]

For its Eurovision performance, the song itself was altered, with minor lyrical changes having to be implemented due to the European Broadcasting Union's ban on curse words in the Eurovision Song Contest.[25] Dan Shipton was appointed as the creative director for the performance, with additional assistance coming from Black Skull Creative, Shipton's company.[26] It featured Isaak wearing a black suit in a "stylish, sleek room" surrounded by flames during the beginning of the performance. Nearing the end of the performance, the set is removed for him to sing alone on stage.[27] Along with Isaak, four backing singers accompanied him on stage.[28] The song was performed in third, after Ukraine's duo of Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil and before Luxembourg's Tali.[29] After the results were announced, he finished in 12th with 117 points, with a split score of 99 points from the juries and 18 points from televoting.[30] No country gave the maximum 12 points in either category; Israel gave the highest amount for both sets, allocating 10 jury points and eight televoting points for the entry.[31]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Always on the Run"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[32] 69
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[33] 52
Germany (GfK)[34] 22
Greece International (IFPI)[35] 47
Lithuania (AGATA)[36] 21
Netherlands (Single Tip)[37] 29
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[38] 4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] 58
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[40] 56
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[41] 57

Release history

[edit]
Release history and formats for "Always on the Run"
Country Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various 19 January 2024
Good Kid Records [42]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gress, Manja (17 February 2024). "Bricht ER den Null-Punkte-Fluch?". Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  2. ^ Schulte–Wieschen, Claire (17 February 2024). "Germany: Isaak to Eurovision 2024 with "Always on the Run"". Eurovision World. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  3. ^ Adams, William Lee (13 April 2024). Isaak (Germany) - "Always on the Run" - Interview (Video). Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Hendryk, Tom (7 May 2024). ""It's just a game that can't be won" -- ISAAK struggles with his demons in "Always On The Run" lyrics". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  5. ^ C, Alastair (11 April 2024). INTERVIEW Isaak "Always on the Run" (Germany 2024) - London Eurovision Party (Video). Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ a b Adams, William Lee (19 January 2024). "Germany reveals eight confirmed acts for Das Deutsche Finale 2024 Eurovision selection". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Wiwi Jury: Germany's ISAAK with "Always On The Run"". Wiwibloggs. 19 April 2024. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  8. ^ Vautrey, Jonathan (7 April 2024). "Eurovision 2024: Reviews and rankings by the Wiwi Jury". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  9. ^ Baker, Emily (10 May 2024). "Eurovision 2024 guide: The mad, the bad and the boring". i. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  10. ^ O'Brien, Jon (6 May 2024). "Every 2024 Eurovision Song, Ranked". Vulture. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  11. ^ Lahav, Doron (23 April 2024). "Eurovision 2024 Songs Review – Part 7 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK)". ESC Beat. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  12. ^ Guderian, Isaak (19 January 2024). ISAAK - Always on the run (Official Music Video) (Video). Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Matthews, Alana (28 March 2024). "Eurovision 2024: PrePartyES Madrid Pre-party preview". Aussievision. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  14. ^ Percy, Lucy (16 March 2024). "Isaak from Germany will bring massive vocals to the London Eurovision Party". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  15. ^ Dibben, Jazzi (6 March 2024). "Isaak to perform at Eurovision in Concert 2024". That Eurovision Site. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Deutscher ESC-Vorentscheid 2024: Diese Acts sind sicher dabei" [German ESC preselection 2024: These acts are confirmed to be there]. Eurovision.de (in German). ARD. 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  17. ^ "'Ich will zum ESC!': Neues Format mit Conchita und Rea Garvey" ["Ich will zum ESC!": The new format with Conchita and Rea Garvey]. Eurovision.de (in German). ARD. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Das deutsche Finale 2024: So wird Deutschlands ESC-Beitrag ausgewählt – Tickets wohl ab 19. Januar" [Das deutsche Finale 2024: This is how Germany's ESC entry will be selected – tickets probably from 19 January]. ESC kompakt (in German). 9 January 2024. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  19. ^ Davies, Meg (13 February 2024). "Germany: More Das Deutsche Finale 2024 Details Revealed". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  20. ^ Mancheño, José Miguel (17 February 2024). "Isaak gana el Das Deutsche Finale y representará a Alemania en el Festival de Eurovisión 2024" [Isaak wins Das Deutsche Finale and will represent Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024]. ESCplus España (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  21. ^ "Punkteverteilung im Voting beim ESC-Vorentscheid 2024" [Distribution of points in the voting for the ESC preliminary selection 2024]. Eurovision.de (in German). ARD. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  22. ^ Percy, Lucy (16 February 2024). "Isaak wins Das Deutsche Finale 2024, and will represent Germany at Eurovision 2024". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Grand Final of Malmö 2024". Eurovision.tv. EBU. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  24. ^ Bird, Lisa (5 May 2024). "Big Five draw Grand Final running order slots". ESC Xtra. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  25. ^ Van Waarden, Franciska (27 February 2024). "Germany: 'Always On The Run' Undergoing Small Lyric Change". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  26. ^ Rowe, Callum (23 February 2024). "Dan Shipton to stage Austria, Germany and Cyprus Eurovision entries". The Euro Trip Podcast. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  27. ^ Garnett, Georgia (2 May 2024). "That Eurovision Review: Stylish and Impactful for Isaak in his first rehearsal". That Eurovision Site. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  28. ^ Lahav, Doron (10 May 2024). "Eurovision 2024 Grand Final Dress/Jury Rehearsal Live Commentary". ESC Beat. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  29. ^ Vautrey, Jonathan (10 May 2024). "Eurovision 2024 grand final running order: Ukraine in second, Austria closes". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  30. ^ Bayer, Felix; Boeselager, Matern von; Ehlebracht, Anna; Frank, Arno; Kalisch, Muriel; Petter, Jan; Rützel, Anja (12 May 2024). "Der ESC-Abend im Minutenprotokoll: Platz zwölf für Isaak – so lief das Finale in Malmö" [Twelfth place for Isaak – that’s how the final in Malmö went]. Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  31. ^ "Grand Final of Malmö 2024 - Germany Grand Final Results Allocation". Eurovision Song Contest. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  32. ^ "Isaak %5BDE%5D – Always on the Run" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  33. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 16. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Isaak – Always on the Run" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  35. ^ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 20/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  36. ^ "2024 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  37. ^ "Dutch Single Tip 18/05/2024" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  38. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 20". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  39. ^ "Isaak %5BDE%5D – Always on the Run". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  40. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  41. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  42. ^ "Always on the Run - Single by Isaak". Apple Music (US). 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
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