Runner in the Night was the United Kingdom entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 in Bergen performed by the sextet Ryder.
The song was a contemporary rock offering, departing from the norm at the time in that the sextet played instruments themselves (including a set of electronic drums and keyboards) and did not use an orchestra. The song itself was about a man "running in the night" to a woman he had previously left, hoping he was not too late and that his former lover would forgive him and take him back.
It was performed fifth on the night following Norway and preceding Iceland. At the close of voting, it finished in 7th place with 72 points.
Lyrics[]
Goin’ home, I’m a runner in the night
Turnin’ back with another chance to make it right
I know where I went wrong
I’ve been away for far too long
I’m on the track – I’m a runner in the night
You told me once not to go
I guess I wasn’t listening
I was blind to reason then
You were the light guidin’ me
Was so confused I could not see
Without your love I wasn’t free
Goin’ home, I’m a runner in the night
Turnin’ back with another chance to make it right
I wanna start again
Go back in time till I get to when
I took your heart like a runner in the night
You didn’t ask much of me
I didn’t make you promises
You kept faith, I broke the rules
I’m sorry now, my mistake
I didn’t mean that your heart should break
I want you back, what will it take?
Oh… oh…
I know I made you wait
I only hope it’s not too late
To try again for a runner in the night
(Runnin’, runnin’, runnin’, runnin’)
(Runnin’, runnin’, runnin’, runnin’)
Yeah…
Goin’ home, I’m a runner in the night, ooh…
Touchin’ down on the runway with the mornin’ flight
I know I made you wait
I only hope it’s not too late
To try again for a runner in the night, oh…
| Eurovision Song Contest 1986 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Participants | |||
 Sherisse Laurence •  Doris Dragović •  Cocktail Chic •  Ketil Stokkan •  Ryder •  ICY •  Frizzle Sizzle •  Klips ve Onlar •  Cadillac •  Daniela Simmons •  Moti Giladi & Sarai Tzuriel •  Luv Bug •  Sandra Kim •  Ingrid Peters •  Elpida •  Timna Brauer •  Lasse Holm & Monica Törnell •  Lise Haavik •  Kari Kuivalainen •  Dora
| |||
| Songs | |||
| L'amour de ma vie • Željo Moja • Européennes • Romeo • Runner in the Night • Gleðibankinn • Alles heeft ritme • Halley • Valentino • Pas pour moi • Yavo Yom • You Can Count On Me • J'aime La Vie • Über die Brücke geh'n • Tora Zo • Die Zeit ist einsam • E' de' det här du kallar kärlek? • Du er fuld af løgn • Never The End • Não sejas mau para mim
| |||
Videos[]
1986 Ryder - Runner In The Night
Eurovision 1986 - United Kingdom.wmv