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Tommy James – “Three Times In Love”
This slice of soft-rock cheese serves as a cautionary tale for fellow aging artists: Never sell your soul for one ruthlessly bland trifle.
Richard Challen
Aug 3, 20209 min read
Nicolette 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 Challen
Jul 24, 20209 min read
Toto – “99”
“99” is adult-rock at its most immaculate and expensive. Everyone plays with a light touch; even the syncopations sound like laughter.
Richard Challen
Jul 10, 20209 min read
Rupert 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.
Richard Challen
Jul 6, 20205 min read
Linda Ronstadt – “How Do I Make You”
“How Do I Make You” is the sound of SoCal’s prom queen letting her hair down—or, more accurately, chopping it all off.
Richard Challen
Jun 26, 202010 min read
Andy Gibb – “Desire”
“Desire” is honestly just a great lost Bee Gees song, which means it works for three simple reasons: Barry, Robin, and Maurice.
Richard Challen
Jun 5, 20207 min read
Queen – “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
Queen had never attempted to record a rockabilly song. But damn if they didn’t nail a perfect approximation on their very first try.
Richard Challen
Apr 17, 20208 min read
Steve Forbert – “Romeo’s Tune”
The great paradox of “Romeo’s Tune” is how much work it took to create something that sounds so effortless.
Richard Challen
Apr 3, 20204 min read
Teri DeSario with K.C. – “Yes, I’m Ready”
Pure chemistry, but not the sexual kind. Theirs is closer to platonic puppy love, a first crush rendered in overwhelming Technicolor.
Richard Challen
Apr 1, 20208 min read
ABBA – “Chiquitita”
Here in the States, “Chiquitita” barely cracked the Top 30, yet another victim of America’s ABBA apathy.
Richard Challen
Mar 30, 202010 min read
Fleetwood Mac – “Sara”
The mystery surrounding “Sara” isn’t a barrier to entry. The mystery is what makes “Sara” a masterpiece.
Richard Challen
Mar 20, 20208 min read
Daryl Hall & John Oates – “Wait For Me”
Long before the public got back on board, Hall and Oates had already figured out the direction that would reshape the rest of their career.
Richard Challen
Mar 16, 20207 min read
Kenny Loggins – “This Is It”
Its streamlined surface practically defines the entire “yacht” aesthetic, even as its subject matter threatens to blow up the whole marina.
Richard Challen
Mar 9, 20207 min read
The Buggles – “Video Killed The Radio Star”
A deeply sad song delivered like an advertising jingle, a triumph of technological wizardry bemoaning our obsession with technology.
Richard Challen
Mar 6, 202012 min read
Cliff Richard – “We Don’t Talk Anymore”
For one brief, twenty-four month stretch, Richard took a chintzy, harmless pop ditty and parlayed it into some modicum of Stateside success.
Richard Challen
Feb 17, 20205 min read
Michael Jackson – “Rock With You”
Every second explodes with unabashed joy, deepened only by the knowledge that Michael Jackson would never sound so free on record again.
Richard Challen
Feb 4, 20207 min read
Rupert Holmes – “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)”
But "Escape” doesn’t take a side at all. In Rupert Holmes’ beyond-massive #1 hit, infidelity never leads to pain. It leads to a punchline.
Richard Challen
Feb 1, 20206 min read
KC and the Sunshine Band – “Please Don’t Go”
No one thought “Please Don’t Go” was the end. Not Harry Wayne Casey, the "KC" in the Sunshine Band, and certainly not TK Records.
Richard Challen
Jan 30, 20205 min read
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