Richard ChallenJul 31, 20209 min readMichael Jackson – “Off The Wall”The transition from verse to chorus is swift, sudden, and transportive—like stepping onto the dance floor, or entering Oz.
Richard ChallenJul 27, 20209 min readBonnie Pointer – “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)”Bonnie made four albums with her siblings, and then, in 1977, she went solo—just as the remaining Sisters went nuclear.
Richard ChallenJul 24, 20209 min readNicolette Larson with Michael McDonald – “Let Me Go, Love”Nicolette Larson had talent. She had connections. She was in the right place at the right time. Sometimes, all of that isn’t quite enough.
Richard ChallenJul 20, 20209 min readRay, Goodman & Brown – “Special Lady”Ray, Goodman & Brown reached the Top 5 with a song practically lifted from an earlier era—and a name lifted from an accounting firm.
Richard ChallenJul 17, 202010 min readChuck Mangione – “Give It All You Got”“Give It All You Got” might be the only official Olympic song that makes more sense playing over the opening credits of a ’70s cop show.
Richard ChallenJul 13, 202011 min readPat Benatar – “Heartbreaker”“Heartbreaker” is easily the heaviest song of Benatar’s whole career. I’m not sure another comes close.
Richard ChallenJul 10, 20209 min readToto – “99”“99” is adult-rock at its most immaculate and expensive. Everyone plays with a light touch; even the syncopations sound like laughter.
Richard ChallenJul 6, 20205 min readRupert Holmes – “Him”It’s all in service of an absurdist character study, presenting a portrait of a man not nearly as clever as he thinks he is.