Welcome to the Throwback Thursday edition of the Forgotten 45 at 3:45! Since the Olympics and Paralympics just wrapped up in Paris, for today’s choice we go back to 1984 for Manfred Mann’s Earth Band with “Runner”.
The song was originally recorded by Canadian singer Ian Thomas in 1981. He was inspired by the story of Terry Fox, an athlete who attempted to run with his prosthetic leg across Canada but was forced to stop when cancer was discovered in both of his lungs. He sadly passed away in ’81.
The timing of Manfred Mann’s version of the song was especially good with the 1984 Summer Olympics being held in Los Angeles. The song went to #22 on the charts and become the group’s third and final hit, the biggest one being the #1 song “Blinded By the Light” in 1976.
The video for the song includes Olympics footage from the 70’s and received heavy airplay on MTV. By the way, Happy Birthday to Absolutely 80’s host Nina Blackwood who is 69 today! Check out Manfred Mann’s Earth Band with “Runner” it’s today’s Forgotten 45.
