An operatic rock ballad,[3] the recording of the song was overseen by audio engineer Bill Porter and released as a 45 rpm single by Monument Records in March 1961 and went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

It is written in the bolero style; Orbison is credited with bringing this to the rock genre.

According to Foster, the last note that ends the song is G above (G5) High C (C5) in full natural voice.

[5] While "Running Scared" was an international hit, the B-side "Love Hurts" also picked up significant airplay in Australia.

Consequently, chart figures for Australia show "Running Scared"/"Love Hurts" as a double A-side, both sides peaking at number five.