"New Romance (It's a Mystery)" by Spider

Song#:  0134
Date:  04/19/1980
Debut:  90
Peak:  39
Weeks:  11
Genre:  Power Pop, Rock



Pop Bits:  Spider was an NYC group that were able to get three songs on the chart in 1980-1981. Their two albums also managed to get on the Top 200 chart. Their minor success ended sometime after the second album and the band called it quits with each member going their own way. This song was their first to make the chart and their only Top 40 hit.

ReduxReview:  Spider was a solid power pop band and with a crack songwriter like Holly Knight on board (see below), you should know what to expect. Oddly enough, I knew this song first by the artist who covered it (again, see below). Now, don't judge me - she put out a couple of albums with some good tunes. I like this song a lot and if it turns yer crank, I suggest seeking out more of Spider as I think you will dig them.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Spider served as a launching pad for two members who went on to have bigger careers. Drummer Anton Fig worked with many A-list artists throughout the 80s and beyond and in 1986 became a permanent fixture on the David Letterman show in Paul Shaffer's band. Keyboardist Holly Knight went on to be in another Top 40 group in the 80s called Device, but she became better known as a hit songwriter. She wrote several songs done by Tina Turner including "One of the Living" and "The Best," and also wrote or co-wrote hits like "Love Is a Battlefield" and "Invincible" for Pat Benatar, "Rag Doll" (Aerosmith), "Never" (Heart), and "Love Touch" (Rod Stewart).  2) This song was covered by TV star Lisa Hartman ("Knots Landing") on her 1982 "Letterock."

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