"Breakin' Away" by Al Jarreau

Song#:  0844
Date:  12/05/1981
Debut:  81
Peak:  43
Weeks:  10
Genre:  Pop, Smooth Jazz, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Jarreau was on a career high with his biggest hit, "We're in This Love Together" just peaking at #15. This follow-up single was the title-track to his album and it came close to breaking into the Top 40. It was able to do a little better at R&B by hitting #25 and at AC getting to #30.

ReduxReview:  This summery tune is a nice track from the album, but not so sure it's a good single. It's more like good background music to being in a park, or riding a bike, or having a coffee or cocktail at an outdoor cafe. The song give off a good feeling, but I think it might have been a little too pop-jazzy to really click on radio.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Jarreau's "Breakin' Away" album became a standard for the breezy West Coast pop sound at the time. Jay Graydon was a co-writer on this tune (with Jarreau and Tom Canning) and his works pretty much defined the West Coast sound. In addition to this song (and many others with Jarreau), Graydon co-wrote and produced such genre defining hits as "Turn Your Love Around" by George Benson, "After the Love Has Gone" by Earth, Wind & Fire, and "Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone" by Manhattan Transfer.

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