I Ran (So Far Away) by A Flock Of Seagulls

By: Ron Powers

After releasing two singles with meager success, the Liverpool band A Flock of Seagulls struck gold with “I Ran (So Far Away).” Released in 1982, “I Ran” reached #1 in Australia, broke into the top 10 in the US, and helped define the sound of a decade. The song’s low-budget music video also enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV, further boosting its rise in popularity. With its lush synthesizer textures, echo-soaked guitars, and angular melodies, “I Ran (So Far Away)” stands as a pillar of the synth-pop and new wave genres.

For the intro music, the Flock deliver a full-band musical arrangement. Here, the music consists of guitar chord strikes that echo in time with the drums, along with a bass synth that has a fuzzy texture and swirling effect. Additionally, the bass guitar tiptoes around the mix alongside smooth drums processed with plenty of reverb. As the band approaches the first verse, the energy of the music increases with organ-like synth chords and additional overdrive effects on the electric guitar.

For the verses, the band tone things down, creating an energetic contrast in the music. Here, extended bass synth notes fill the stereo field with a new wave vibe, while the lead guitar comes in and out with a galloping lick. Additionally, drummer Ali Score precisely executes his pattern, giving the music its airtight feel. All these elements create a tasteful sonic design that perfectly supports singer Mike Score’s melody and pulls in the listener with that unmistakable synth-pop sound.

Seamlessly transitioning to the chorus, the band adds glistening synth chords, creating more height in the music. Additionally, the lead guitar loosely follows the vocal melody, while guitarist Paul Reynolds and bassist Frank Maudsley provide backing vocals. These additions to the arrangement give the chorus an energetic lift as Mike Score sings about running away from a woman from outer space and eventually being overtaken.

After a couple of verse and chorus repetitions, the Flock introduce a key change for the instrumental: a move we don’t often hear in modern music. Here, drummer Ali Score sustains a four-measure rolling tom fill, adding a rumbling tension to the arrangement. Meanwhile, Paul Reynolds plays a palm-muted note filtered with a tremolo effect that slowly unfolds, creating a blooming sound. A reversed guitar chord is also added toward the end of the building section, lending to the tension before releasing into a guitar solo heavily processed with delay and reverb.

After 40 plus years, A Flock Of Seagulls are still going strong: releasing a full length album in 2024 and multiple singles, thus far, in 2025. They even have tour dates booked throughout the summer and into the fall of this year and you can find tickets to their shows on their Spotify page. If you would like to listen to “I Ran (So Far Away)”, or any of A Flock Of Seagulls’ fine music you can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most other places music is streamed or sold. If you would like to learn more about the band you can find information on Wikipedia, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Ron Powers