"When Things Go Wrong" by Robin Lane & the Chartbusters

Redux Spotlight Alert!

Song#:  0249
Date:  07/12/1980
Debut:  87
Peak:  87
Weeks:  3
Genre:  Rock, New Wave



Pop Bits:  Lane was originally writing and performing on the folk-rock scene in the 70s but turned her tastes toward the rock/new wave sounds coming up in the late 70s and formed the Chartbusters in 1978. They initially had a deal with Private Stock Records, but then the label went out of business. Thanks to Jerry Wexler seeing them, they were signed to Warner Bros. and issued their self-titled debut album in 1980. This lead single briefly got on the chart and it ended up being their only song to get that far. They would go on to release one more studio album for Warner before breaking up. Lane would continue to write and perform as a solo act, but reunited with some of the Chartbusters  in 2001, eventually issuing a new album two years later.

ReduxReview:  You can hear how she dialed right into that punk-ish/new wave sound. She reminds me a teeny bit of Patti Smith in both voice and sound. I kind of dig it. Her voice is really interesting and is the attraction here for me along with the dark jangly guitar. I'm not sure if it is hit single material, but it's a quality tune.

Okay - another one of my weird-ass connections. So I had heard of Robin Lane, especially since I live in Boston around 1983. However, I don't remember hearing her records or seeing her perform. So now, I have this single to hear and research and lo-and-behold if I don't have a strange connection to her. In 2011, I got the wonderful opportunity to record one of my songs with the awesome Bleu and Ducky Carlisle at Ducky's studio in Boston. Well, it seems Ducky and Robin were married for a time and he produced her 1995 solo album "Catbird Seat." I had no idea! Another cool oddity that has sprung up from doing this project! Due to this connection and the music, I'm calling this out as a Spotlight.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) The video of this song was the 11th video shown on the first broadcast day of MTV on August 1, 1981.  2) Lane was married to future Police guitarist Andy Summers for a couple of years beginning in 1968.

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