Runaway Train (Soul Asylum song)
Updated: 12/20/2025, 1:06:35 PM Wikipedia source
"Runaway Train" is a song by American alternative rock band Soul Asylum, released in May 1993 by Columbia Records as the third single from their sixth album, Grave Dancers Union (1992). The power ballad became a success around the world, reaching numbers five and four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, and climbing to the top position on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. The single earned a gold sales certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after selling 600,000 copies in the US. Outside North America, it reached number two in New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland and peaked within the top five on the charts on several other European countries. "Runaway Train" helped bring Grave Dancers Union to a multi-platinum level and won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 1994. Its accompanying music video, directed by Tony Kaye, is notable for featuring images of missing people, most of them young children and teenagers. Lead singer Dave Pirner has stated that the lyrics originally described his experience of depression.
Infobox
Tables
| Year | Nominee / work | Category |
| 1994 | "Runaway Train" | Grammy Award for Best Rock Song |
| Chart (1993–1994) | Peakposition |
| Australia (ARIA) | 11 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 3 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 8 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 1 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) | 9 |
| Denmark (IFPI) | 4 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 5 |
| Europe (European Hit Radio) | 10 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 11 |
| France (SNEP) | 16 |
| Germany (GfK) | 4 |
| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) | 6 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 6 |
| Lithuania (M-1) | 1 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 3 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 3 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 2 |
| Norway (VG-lista) | 2 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 2 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 2 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 7 |
| UK Airplay (Music Week) | 8 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 5 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 15 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard) | 13 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) | 3 |
| US Pop Airplay (Billboard) | 2 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 | 4 |
| Chart (2019–2020) | Peakposition |
| Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) | 75 |
| Slovenia (SloTop50) | 49 |
| Chart (1993) | Position |
| Australia (ARIA) | 45 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 11 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 49 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 8 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) | 61 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 20 |
| Europe (European Hit Radio) | 23 |
| Germany (Media Control) | 18 |
| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) | 41 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 30 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 29 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 23 |
| Sweden (Topplistan) | 4 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 19 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 56 |
| UK Airplay (Music Week) | 43 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 22 |
| US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard) | 11 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 | 32 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | Gold | 35,000^ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Gold | 25,000* |
| Canada (Music Canada) | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 250,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| Sweden (GLF) | Gold | 25,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA) | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000 |
| Sales figures based on certification alone.^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
| United States | May 1993 | Radio | Columbia | |
| United Kingdom | June 1, 1993 | 12-inch vinylCDcassette | ||
| United States | CDcassette | |||
| Australia | June 28, 1993 | |||
| Japan | March 10, 1994 | CD | Sony |
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