The song 's composers Pearu Paulus , Ilmar Laisaar and Alar Kotkas ( music ) and Jana Hallas ( lyrics ) , had previously written " Once In A Lifetime " the Estonian entrant for Eurovision 2000 performed by Ines and Ines was at first set to perform the song . However Ines withdrew shortly before Eurolaul 2002 - the Estonian preselection Eurovision round - and the song 's composers , after unsuccessfully shopping their song to a number of Estonian singers including Koit Toome - contacted the Swedish division of Virgin Records who suggested Sahlene who was on the Virgin roster : on the evening of the same day Sahlene received a telephone call from Virgin Records and resultantly flew out to the Estonian capital of Tallinn at 6 a.m. the following morning . Sahlene had two weeks to work with the song 's composers prior to performing " Runaway " in '' Eurolaul ''
Eurovision 2000
Eurovision Song Contest 2000
Runaway (Sahlene song)