Runaway Horses

Belinda Carlisle

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 20, 1989)
• Original Release Date: October 3, 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000002O6H
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,232 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Runaway Horses gallops to first place, October 13, 2002

By	Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

When I first got this, I was simply taken aback at how this outstripped her previous two solo albums, which knocked me dead. Any doubts I had that she would lose her touch was put to rest when I listened to this over and over during my stay at NMSU.

"Leave A Light On" is by far the best solo song she's done, this lush song combines Go-Go's pop with stylings from her first two solo albums. And guess who does the slide guitar solo midsong? George Harrison. George also does twelve-string and bass on "Deep Deep Ocean."

"Vision Of You" is the best ballad she's ever done, and the Spanish guitar by Rick Nowels enhances the wistful mood this song evokes. Her sugary voice is put into its best effect here.

"Summer Rain" is a mid-paced dance number that bursts into a crescendo with the catchy chorus. The brisk string arrangement throughout the song adds much to this, the second single.

"Shades Of Michelangelo," the closing ballad, outdoes "Love Never Dies" from her Heaven On Earth album, but struggles for top honours with "Vision Of You." This heartfelt song has idealistic musings, where she's "painting a perfect world/with shades of Michelangelo." Belinda wrote this song with her ex-bandmate Charlotte Caffey.

Rick Nowels, best known for his work with Stevie Nicks, works wonders for Belinda as he did for the "Welsh Witch." He produced the album. Even Ellen Shipley, one of Stevie's backup singers, contributes. In fact, both of them co-wrote most of the songs on this album. However, X.Y. Jones' guitar work introduced a slightly harder edge to Belinda's sound, and it's a wonder here.

Kenny Aronoff, best known as John Cougar Mellencamp's drummer, drums on most of the tracks. And Bryan Adams has backing vocals on "Whatever It Takes."

Granted, the three singles can be found on her greatest hits album, but getting Runaway Horses shows Belinda at her peak, every song a hit. Extra credit goes for vocal improvement and that sensual album cover.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Best, June 1, 2000

By	Mike Meyer (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

It's rare for me to find a CD on which I love every song. However, Belinda Carlisle consistantly pulls off this arduous task with her beautiful melodies and witty lyrics: "How can a candle ever burn so bright, casting a shadow on my life? I am blinded by your light, even without you!" I've made it a commitment of mine to own every CD she's published in America and abroad, and as an experienced listener I can safely say that "Runaway Horses" is by far her best non-anthology album. Belinda will brighten your day with "Leave a Light On," take you for a wild ride with "Runaway Horses," and show you true beauty with "Vision Of You." My personal favorite song of all time, "Summer Rain" has an atmospheric melody that makes you feel like you're with Belinda at the train station that fateful night... you truly must hear it to believe it. Belinda shows off her diversity with "La Luna," bringing back memories of Gloria Estefan's slower Latin-based songs. "(We Want) The Same Thing" is one of Belinda's "hardest" rock songs, a strange and wonderful mix of her own and Pat Benetar's styles. The next three songs, "Deep Deep Ocean," "Valentine," and "Whatever It Takes" offer the simple and catchy tunes that Belinda's fans have come to expect. In the final track, "Shades of Michaelangelo," Belinda once again dishes up a melody that allows you to almost see her splashing paint on her musical canvas with a sudden spurt of artistic flair. Without a doubt, Belinda is the musical equivalant of Michaelangelo.

This CD is definately worth it... I would pay over three times that much if necessary. The only drawback to this CD is the fact that it's only 48 minutes long... why oh why couldn't it be 480 minutes? :)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Belinda Carlisle & Runaway Horses..., January 19, 2006

By	D. S. HARDEN "a movie fan" (L.A.,CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I put this CD player at my desk, not knowing what to expect and was pleasantly surprised at the depth and content of the songs. It's a very good listen! It's priced reasonable folks, get a copy and enjoy it. Four stars!!