"The Seduction (Love Theme)" by James Last Band

Song#:  0107
Date:  03/29/1980
Debut:  85
Peak:  28
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Pop, Instrumental, Soundtrack



Pop Bits:  James Last was a very successful German composer and big band leader. He has recorded and/or produced hundreds of albums including a series of "Non-Stop Dancing" albums where he would record short versions of populars songs all tied together with beats and crowd noises. These party albums made him a star in Europe. Although he released albums in the US, he was nowhere near as popular here. This song is his best singles effort in the States. It served as the love theme from the film "American Gigolo," whose soundtrack at the time was a best-seller thanks to Blondie's mega-hit "Call Me."

ReduxReview:  This is a gooey sax-strumental only made "modern" by the incessant, farty synth pattern. The sax player gets his groove on just fine, but the balance is basic background music with no real melody or hook.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  Last also wrote songs that became hits for other artists. His most famous is "Happy Heart" which was made famous in versions by Andy Williams and Petula Clark. Williams also recorded a version of "Music from Across the Way," a popular AC radio song in 1972. The song also served as Last's only other solo chart song in the US (#84 in 1972).

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