"I Have the Skill" by Sherbs

Song#:  0518
Date:  03/07/1981
Debut:  88
Peak:  61
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Here is a group that barely made an impression here in the States, but in their homeland of Australia, they were superstars. Originally known as Sherbet, they were the most popular rock group of the 70s in Australia. With eleven Top 10 singles and seven Top 10 albums, the group became the first in Australia to have over a million dollars in record sales. However, international success eluded them and the best they could muster in the US was the #61 "Howzat" in 1976 (#1 in Australia with the same-titled album also hitting #1). It was most likely their peak time being on the cusp if international stardom, but their next album failed to replicate the success and it was a bit downhill from there - even in Australia. They broke-up in 1979, but it was short-lived and the group got back together with a newer sound and a shortened name. Oddly, this did not work in Australia and their new LP, "The Skill," pretty much sank. However, it caught on in the US and reached the album chart, in part thanks to this lead single (which had the same peak as their first single). A follow-up album once again failed to capitalize on any momentum and by 1984 the group called it quits for good.

ReduxReview:  Strange how some artists are huge at home yet just can't cash in internationally. These guys are a quality group but for whatever reason the US audience didn't click into them. This song is good, just probably not a terrific single. It almost has a Genesis-type feel to it. I like the song and the album is a good listen as well as some of their Sherbet songs.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Co-founder and lead singer Daryl Braithwaite had a similar solo career to the group. He did solo work while in Sherbet and then again after the Sherbs broke up. He had several Top 10 hits in Australia including the #1 remake of Rickie Lee Jones' "The Horses" in 1991. But again, US success wasn't happening. He had one minor US chart song with "Higher Than Hope" which reached #47 in 1991.

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