DONNA SUMMER & TOBY GAD RELEASE “RUN (PIANO DIARIES)

DIAMOND-AWARD WINNING HITMAKER SHARES UNRELEASED GEM WITH FRIEND AND LATE DISCO ICON

June 6, 2025, marks the release of a poignant musical collaboration that bridges generations and genres: “Run (Piano Diaries),” a posthumous single from Grammy-winning hitmaker Toby Gad and the iconic disco queen Donna Summer. This release offers a fresh perspective on a song originally conceived during Summer’s final studio album sessions, now reimagined and presented to the world with a captivating visual narrative.

Toby Gad, the creative force behind global chart-toppers like John Legend’s “All Of Me” and Beyoncé’s “If I Were A Boy,” first crossed paths with Donna Summer in 2008. Their initial encounter, facilitated by Atlantic Records for Summer’s Crayons album, sparked an immediate creative synergy. Gad co-wrote several tracks for the project, including “Fame (The Game),” which soared to the top of the Billboard Dance chart, solidifying a professional partnership that quickly blossomed into a deep personal friendship.

Gad fondly recalls their collaborative spirit: “Donna came to my studio in New York and we hit it off on the first day. She was such a warm wonderful soul and gave me a chance at the time when I was still the new kid on the block.” He recounts a memorable session where Summer’s vocal performance was so effortlessly flawless that a single take sufficed. He drew parallels between her natural talent and that of a young Beyoncé, whom he was working with at the same time, marveling at their shared “fierce and so in tune” vocal abilities.

“Run,” though penned during the Crayons era, remained unreleased until now. Gad harbored a long-standing affection for the track and a desire to share it. With the heartfelt approval of Donna Summer’s family, “Run (Piano Diaries)” takes its place as the second installment in Gad’s Piano Diaries – Originals series, following the successful “Bad Valentine” featuring Angelina Jordan.

The single arrives accompanied by a visually compelling YouTube music video. It features the expressive dance talents of 13-year-old London! alongside Gad’s resonant piano performance, set against a backdrop of evocative creative footage of Donna Summer projected within a movie theater.

This release also highlights Gad’s broader Piano Diaries initiative. The Piano Diaries – The Hits project offers fresh interpretations of his most celebrated compositions, stripping them down to intimate piano-vocal-string arrangements. The recently released PIANO DIARIES – THE HITS (Deluxe) in March showcased 16 of his classics, originally performed by legends like Madonna, Beyoncé, and Paul McCartney, now reinterpreted by a new generation of artists including Victoria Justice, Keke Palmer, and Aloe Blacc.

Beyond his work on “Run (Piano Diaries),” Gad continues to innovate. Earlier this month, he released “Here’s To Us” with Elijah Blake, a re-imagination of a #1 US Rock Anthem he co-wrote for Halestorm, now infused with a vibrant trap-country sound produced by Post Malone and Drake collaborator Roark Bailey.

Adding another dimension to his prolific career, Gad hosts the burgeoning weekly podcast, ‘Songs You Know.’ This popular series delves into candid conversations with the very individuals—writers, artists, and producers—behind the world’s most recognizable songs, offering listeners an unprecedented look into their untold, behind-the-scenes stories. “Run (Piano Diaries)” stands as a testament to Gad’s enduring artistry and a touching tribute to the timeless legacy of Donna Summer, allowing a previously unheard melody to finally resonate with the world.