"Mega Force" by 707

Song#:  1093
Date:  07/10/1982
Debut:  90
Peak:  62
Weeks:  6
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  707's debut album contained their first chart entry, "I Could Be Good for You" (#52), but the LP failed to chart. Momentum allowed their follow-up album to hit the lower regions of the chart, but the singles failed. They needed a boost and a move to Boardwalk Records would help the band. Their third album, "Mega Force," was their best charting effort reaching #129. It was helped along by this title-track single that reached #12 on the Mainstream Rock chart. It should have been a stepping stone to more success, but the group ended up disbanding after touring with top bands like REO Speedwagon and Loverboy. If the singer seems different from their previous chart single, he is. Prior to the "Mega Force" album, the band members traded lead vocals for specific songs. However, their new label thought a distinct lead vocalist was needed and they hired Kevin Chalfont to front the band.

ReduxReview:  This has a real Journey flavor to it with a little Survivor tossed in. Even their new vocalist sounds like by-product of a Steve Perry/Dave Bickler union. It's a rockin' tune that seems appropriate for an action film (see below). Although "Mega Force" seems like a cool title, it kind sounds like "mad divorce" when he sings it. The get definite points for rockin' this out though.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) This song also served as the theme to the 1982 film "Megaforce" that starred Barry Bostwick. The film was not a success and got nominated for several Razzies including Worst Picture.  2) This song was co-written by Jonathan Cain, who was riding high with Journey at the time. After 707 broke up, member Tod Howarth worked with Kiss member Ace Frehley. For Frehley's 1987 solo album "Frehley's Comet," this song was revived with a new set of lyrics and titled "Calling to You." Because Cain had only supplied lyrics to the original song, his credit was removed and Frehley's name added for the new lyrics.

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