In an interview with Idolator on October 14, with regards "Run's" release in the United States she said, "we did something quite unexpected that I don’t even think we realized we were gonna do. We actually had plans for another single, I guess we just took a leap of faith and believed in this song so much."
Composition
"Run" is vulnerable piano ballad where Scherzinger gives advice to the next girl in lines such as, "Don’t let him lead you to the dark / Don’t tell him all your secrets / He’ll leave you with a broken heart." According to Mike Wess "Run" showcases the singer's "underrated pipes."
Critical reception
Alex Kritelis of Bustle magazine described "Run" as "one of the most powerful ballads" but felt that the song wouldn't become a hit. Lewis Corner of Digital Spy praised Scherzinger for her "soul-baring vocal performance and stripped-down production proving Nicole's undeniable talent." Rory Cashin of Entertainment.ie agreed with Corner highlighting it as an album standout and "a great way to close out the album." Mike Wass described of "Idolator" described the song as "beautifully understated ballad" and felt the "lyrics are genuinely heartfelt." Chris DeVille from the website Stereogum described "Run" as the strongest material she's offered and lauded her decision to release it as he felt that "maybe her destiny is not steamy club jams with elaborate dance numbers but belting out torch songs in formal dresses at ornate theaters."
Music video
In an interview with Idolator on October 14, while discussing the concept for the music video Scherzinger stated there was possibility that "Run" would have two videos one for the United Kingdom which she described as a "one-take live video" and one for the United States. With regards to the US version she stated that, "it’s pretty much going to be a one-take video that’s very simple and stripped back." On November 6, 2014 gave an interview with E! News and delivered a sneak peek of the video. Several days later Glamour magazine posted pictures from the set of the music video features Scherzinger draped in a blanket, looking intensely in a mirror and lying on the floor. The music video premiered on November 12 on Vevo. The video was described "subtle" and features Scherzinger in an opulent mansion. The majority of the video shows the singer lying on the floor in a slip before walking around her mansion and emoting for the camera. The video ends with Scherzinger looking into a mirror.
Live performances
On September 30, 2014, Scherzinger performed "Run" for the first time on Access Hollywood Live. Mike Wass of Idolator praised Scherzinger's ability to " raw emotion and goosebumps-inducing vocal acrobatics." On October 15, she held an acoustic showcase of her album at Hotel Café Royal. "Run" was performed as the closing track. On 16 November 2014, Scherzinger performed "Run" on the eleventh series of The X Factor.
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Big Fat Lie. ;Recording
