 " Running Back " was written by Mauboy , Mtawarira , and Sean Ray Mullins , and was produced by Audius . " Running Back " is one of the three tracks Audius produced for the album . Mullins has stated that when he hears the song on the radio , " he 's merely satisfied " that it fits the formula . " Running Back " was recorded at The Sound Academy in Sydney , New South Wales , and Phil Tan mixed the track at Soapbox Studios , Atlanta , Georgia . Mauboy and Flo Rida recorded their verses in separate studios . She said that the song is based on " one of my past experiences " . In an interview with Take 40 Australia , Mauboy said working with Flo Rida was a dream come true , " I love urban music and have been a huge fan of Flo @-@ Rida 's from the moment I heard ' Low ' . For him to now feature on my first single I just can 't believe it ! I am so excited and honoured . " " Running Back " is an urban pop ballad , featuring " a restrained vocal performance from Mauboy . " According to Davey Boy from Sputnikmusic , the song " is one @-@ part smooth ballad with its twinkling piano loop and lovelorn lyrics , and one @-@ part contemporary hip hop with its deceptively slinky vocals and effective — if phoned in — Flo Rida cameo . " 
