It is regarded by critics as having helped bridge the period between early rock and the British Invasion.

[1] Runaway with Del Shannon also features the early recording of "(Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame" (which would later be a huge hit for Elvis Presley later that same year) and a cover of Chuck Jackson "I Wake Up Crying"[2] The album was released on compact disc by Taragon Records on January 14, 1997, as tracks 1 through 12 on a pairing of two albums on one CD with tracks 13 through 24 consisting of Shannon's 1965 album, 1,661 Seconds with Del Shannon.

[5] Edsel Records included the album in the 2023 Stranger in Town: A Del Shannon Compendium box set.

[6] Bruce Eder of AllMusic stated that "Some of the rest is a good deal less appealing, especially when Shannon tries straight romantic crooning, as on "The Search" or "I'll Always Love You."

"[7] Billboard in its Spotlight of the Week album reviews "stating that the selections "show off his vocal style and his heartfelt approach to a song.