"Switchin' to Glide/This Beat Goes On" by The Kings

Song#:  0303
Date:  08/23/1980
Debut:  90
Peak:  43
Weeks:  23
Genre:  Rock, Power Pop



Pop Bits:  This Canadian rock band got picked up by Elektra Records and with the help of producer Bob Ezrin (Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd), their debut LP "The Kings Are Here" came out in 1980. This first single actually peaked twice on the chart (see below) and finally came close to cracking the Top 40. It was solid enough for a second LP, "Amazon Beach," to get released the following year, but it was not as successful as their debut. Consequently, the group was dropped by Elektra. The Kings continued to tour and release a few recordings on their own label, but this lone chart hit remains their most recognizable tune.

ReduxReview:  I've chatted with a few folks about this song and it's odd that most have the same feeling - they don't know why the two songs are combined (see below) and they prefer just listening to "Switchin' to Glide." On one of the YouTube versions of this song there was a rather crude, but funny comment regarding the two songs that said: "Why the fuck doesn't anyone have 'Glide' separate from the shitty first part?" A bit harsh, yes. But it seems to be the sentiment. However, I wonder why then the single did better when it was released as two songs?  Hmmm. Interesting. Anyway, I kind of agree. "This Beat" is okay and sounds a bit like an Elvis Costello/Joe Jackson knock-off, but "Glide" is much more interesting. Based on that song, I'd definitely check out more of their tunes.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Their debut album begins with the song "This Beat Goes On" which then segues directly into "Switchin' to Glide." The intent was for the songs to remain matched together. However, the obvious single to Elektra was "Switchin' to Glide," so they elected to just release that song only as a single. It entered the chart and made it as far as #56 before heading back down. At some point, Elektra was pressured into releasing the two songs together and just as the initial single was about to go off the chart, the combined single started to get attention and it began moving up again and ended up peaking higher than the original single.

_________________________________________________________________________________