"Hollywood" by Shooting Star

Song#:  0964
Date:  03/27/1982
Debut:  84
Peak:  70
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  This band was always on the edge of breaking through but they didn't have the best of luck and in the end they got lumped in the "shoulda made it" pile. Their debut album got a little attention thanks to the #76 "You've Got What I Needed" and it was expected that their second disc would push them much further. The LP "Hang On for Your Life" did do better and sold quite well staying on the album chart for 30 weeks, but it still wasn't enough to push them over the top. The lack of a solid hit certainly didn't help. This first single clung to the chart for a few weeks and then disappeared. Their steady touring with A-list bands helped keep their name alive, but it would not be enough to get the group into the limelight. After three more albums and more tough breaks, the group went on hiatus in 1986.

ReduxReview:  For a rock group trying to break through, it's a bit confusing why they (or more likely the label) would choose this song. While interesting, this theatrical, tempo-shifting tune is missing a key ingredient: a memorable hook that is truly needed to reach the upper levels of the pop chart. They were probably going for originality since they were getting compared to Journey, REO and Kansas at the time, but this may be a bit too album-oriented to make an impact.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Initially, this band got signed by Clive Davis for the Arista label in 1975. The song that got them the deal was one called "Take the Money and Run." In the first of many unfortunate breaks, after they recorded the song, Steve Miller issued his classic rock single that happened to shared the same title. The Miller hit quashed any hopes of the Shooting Star song getting a release and that ended their short career with Arista. 

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