Song#: 0878
Date: 01/16/1982
Debut: 79
Peak: 59
Weeks: 7
Genre: Pop, Classical Crossover
Pop Bits: As one of the most famous tenors in the world, Domingo has performed in 80+ operas and has contributed to over 100 recordings since his career took off in the early 60s. As his popularity grew over the years so did his repertoire, which on occasion would include forays into popular music. His first pop-only album came in 1981 when he issued "Perhaps Love." It featured pop standards, Broadway tunes, newer rock standards (like "Yesterday") and a couple collaborations with John Denver including this title-track single. It reached #22 at AC and almost got halfway up the pop chart becoming Domingo's only chart entry. His album was derided by classical purists, but Domingo has said that doing this project afforded him the opportunity to perform and record more obscure classical works. Plus, it introduce him and classical music to those who had not been exposed to the genre previously.
ReduxReview: Why was this a good idea? It's just my opinion, but for me true opera singers should not sing pop and pop singers should not sing opera. There are exceptions where a crossover collaboration can be a unique success, but those are extremely rare. In this case, Domingo's tenor and Denver's plaintive voice do not mix well. Add to that a weak Denver composition and you are left with this odd experiment that just didn't work.
ReduxRating: 3/10
Trivia: Although the album cover states as by "Placido Domingo with John Denver," Denver only sings on this one track and provides guitar on another. It was a marketing ploy that worked well drawing AC and Denver fans to the album. Denver wrote this title track and also played guitar on Domingo's cover of Denver's hit "Annie's Song." Denver included his own solo version of "Perhaps Love" on his 1982 LP "Seasons of the Heart."
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