On The Run

"On The Run" is a song by American indie pop band Curriculum. The song, written by Gregory Preston Olivier, Phillip Mandelbaum, and Wyatt van Cleef and produced by Dana Breckenridge, was recorded for the 2013 action-thriller film Identity and was included on the film's soundtrack. The band later included the song on their sophomore album Sophomore (2014). "On The Run" was released as a promotional single on 24 March 2014, becoming the fourth overall release from the Identity soundtrack and the first promotional single and second overall release from Sophomore.

Background, writing, and composition
In 2013, during Curriculum's brief hiatus, band member Wyatt van Cleef recorded and released the song "Making Hate". "Making Hate" was released as a promotional single in the UK and US, where it reached #13 on the UK Digital chart and #99 on the Billboard Hot 100. Released officially as a single in the Netherlands, the single peaked at #6 on the Dutch Top 40.

As the band resumed recording what would be their second studio album Sophomore, the band initially decided to re-record "Making Hate" to include all members of the group. However, all the members unanimously decided to entirely re-write the song with new lyrics, essentially to the point where it had a completely different lyrical theme from its original form; despite the re-written lyrics, the band decided to keep and recycle the original melody and structure of the song. Whereas the original "Making Hate" addressed a relationship complicated by domestic violence, the newly re-written song, now titled "On The Run", talked about escapism and forbidden love while it lyrically detailed two lovers running away with each other.

An alternative and indie pop song, it features elements of tribal and Bollywood music. van Cleef sings the lead vocals on the verses, while Olivier sings lead vocals on the chorus and middle eight. Phillip Mandelbaum also provides additional vocals during the chorus.

The band recorded "On The Run" for the 2013 film Identity and included it on its soundtrack.

Release
The band decided to release "On The Run" as a digital single on 24 March 2014, where it was available for digital download and streaming. A remix of the song titled the "Bollywood EDM Remix", which was more EDM-driven than the original version, was also released for digital download and streaming. Both versions were released to radio in the UK.

Critical reaction
"On The Run" received positive reviews from critics and fans who praised van Cleef's vocals (though it was pointed out that he used pitch correction) and Olivier's "powerful and soaring" vocals on the chorus of the song. The production of the song was also praised.

Commercial performance
"On The Run" debuted at #6 on the UK Digital chart, selling more than 19,000 copies in its first week. The single eventually peaked at #3, becoming their third top three digital only single in the UK. During its chart run, the single fluctuated dramatically on the UK Digital chart.

After reaching below the UK Airplay Top 40 at #48, it finally debuted on the UK Airplay Top 40 at #40, eventually peaking at #15.

The single debuted at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100 and then rose to #24 the following week. The single has also reached #21 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.