Running the Endless Mile is the second album by John Parr, released in 1986. The lead single "Blame It on the Radio" reached U.S. #88, the only song to reach the U.S. singles charts. The first track on the album, "Two Hearts", was taken from the soundtrack to the film American Anthem. However, an earlier soundtrack hit, Parr's #1 hit of the previous summer "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" from the film of the same title (and also on the Atlantic label) was not included on this album, which may have limited its sales (the album failed to crack the Top 200 in the U.S.). Instead, a song that was on his first album, "Don't Leave Your Mark on Me" was repeated in a different version.
Background Running the Endless Mile was recorded in various studios over a period of five months in 1986. Parr told Billboard in 1986, "I needed to have an album out this year because it's been two years since my last one. The only way to do it was in between promotion and gigs in Europe. So wherever I wrote, I recorded at the same time."
Critical reception Upon its release, Paul Elliott of Sounds described the album as "good radio rock" and "great for tapping a steering wheel to", although he noted that sometimes the "clichés can at times run thick". He added that "every now and again, John lets his hair down", providing a "welcome diversion from meat 'n' potatoes AOR".
Track listing All songs written by John Parr unless noted. "Two Hearts (American Anthem)" - 6:09 "Don't Worry 'Bout Me" - 4:05 "King of Lies" - 4:08 "Running the Endless Mile" - 4:19 "Don't Leave Your Mark on Me (Mark 2)" (Julia Downes, Parr) - 4:19 "Scratch" - 4:39 "Do It Again" - 4:08 "Blame It on the Radio" - 4:16 "The Story Still Remains the Same (Vices)" (Downes, Parr) - 3:52 "Steal You Away (Flight of the Spruce Goose)" - 5:30
Personnel John Parr - lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Pete Bonas - guitar Craig Jones - guitar Michael Landau - guitar Christopher Marra - guitar Bruce Laing - bass Brad Lang - bass Steve Bodicker - keyboards John Cook - keyboards Richard Cottle - keyboards Julia Downes - keyboards Randy Kerber - keyboards Tony Mitman - keyboards Neil Richmond - synthesizer, programming Peter-John Vettese - keyboards Martin Dobson - saxophone Jerry Hey - trumpet Tony Beard - drums Graham Broad - drums, percussion Peter Hammond - drums, percussion, engineer Jeff Porcaro - drums, percussion Roddy Matthews - backing vocals Lee Matty - backing vocals Chuck Kirkpatrick - backing vocals Gareth Mortimer - backing vocals Gill O'Donovan - backing vocals John Sambataro - backing vocals Karen Sambrooke - backing vocals Chris Thompson - backing vocals Marty Thompson - backing vocals Will Gosling - engineer
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