"Don't Let Me In" by Sneaker

Song#:  0932
Date:  02/27/1982
Debut:  85
Peak:  63
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Soft Rock



Pop Bits:  Having taken their name from Steely Dan's song "Bad Sneakers," it seemed fitting that these fans of that duo would also cover one of their songs. This second single from Sneaker's self-titled debut album couldn't get close to their first single "More Than Just the Two of Us" (#34), but it helped give them the opportunity to record a second album. "Loose in the World" came out later in the year, but no singles were able to reach the chart and that was pretty much the end of the band.

ReduxReview:  Had I not known about the Steely Dan connection, I'm not sure I would have pegged this as one of their tunes. After knowing that fact, I could hear a bit of that Steely Dan sound in the tune. This is quite different from the AC balladry of Sneaker's first single and I'd never think the songs were by the same artist. Not sure if that is a good thing. You need some kind of cohesive sound to declare an identity. As-is, the song is a nice slice of West Coast soft rock and good homage to one of their influences.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  This song, written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, was recorded by the Steely Dan duo prior to the release of their debut LP in 1972. It didn't make it onto any of their proper albums, but the original demo version has surfaced on a couple of "early years" compilations. Sneaker's version seems to be the first official release of the song.

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