"Him" by Rupert Holmes

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  0023
Date:  01/19/1980
Debut:  72
Peak:  6
Weeks:  17
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  Coming on the heels of his #1 single "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)," Holmes got a second Top 10 hit with another cheaters song, "Him." He was never able to follow up the success of these songs, but he continued to do well as a songwriter with works of his hitting the chart by other artists. He would also have success as a writer for stage and TV shows.

ReduxReview:  I always preferred this song over the kitschy "Escape." It has a nice R&B-ish groove, clever lyrics, and a terrific chorus. My one bone of contention? That vocal solo in the mid-section. I guess it works because you certainly don't forget it, but I've always disliked it. Regardless, I remain a fan of this song.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Holmes was already a successful songwriter in the early 70s with songs like "Echo Valley 2-6809" by The Partridge Family. But it was his song written for The Buoys in 1971 that became a notorious, unexpected hit. The little song called "Timothy" about 3 men trapped in a mine with 2 of the men eating the third caused quite a stink, but that was the intended effect. The Buoys were not getting any label support so Holmes came up with this as an attention getter for them. It worked, as the song's reputation and eventual banning pushed it to #17.

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