"Through the Years" by Kenny Rogers

Song#:  0863
Date:  12/26/1981
Debut:  82
Peak:  13
Weeks:  15
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  After the disappointing pop showing of the rush-released "Blaze of Glory" (#66), Rogers got back to business with this pop crossover ballad, the fourth single from his "Share Your Love" album. It got him back near the Top 10 and went to #5 at Country. The song rose to #1 on the AC chart, which was his third single from the album to accomplish that feat.

ReduxReview:  This is a lovely song and a good one for Rogers. He doesn't have a wailing voice, so big Manilow-type ballads don't fit Rogers very well. However, this one was arranged well to accommodate his voice. He does a good job selling it, but had someone with a bigger voice done this tune, it really could have been turned up to 11 and been even better.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  With the LP being produced by Lionel Richie, there were bound to be songs written by Richie on the album. Four Richie compositions made the album including the song "Goin' Back to Alabama." It wasn't issued as a single, but it had some additional star power with Michael Jackson providing backing vocals.

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