"What's Forever For" by Michael Martin Murphey

Song#:  1110
Date:  07/24/1982
Debut:  89
Peak:  19
Weeks:  20
Genre:  Singer/Songwriter, Country Crossover, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Michael Murphey was a locally successful musician around his hometown of Dallas, Texas, before making the move to California. Soon after, he signed his first publishing and by 1964 was part of the band The Trinity River Boys with soon-to-be Monkee Mike Nesmith. Three years later he formed The Lewis & Clarke Expedition with Boomer Castleman and got on the pop chart with "I Feel Good (I Feel Bad)" (#64) from their lone LP. After the split, Murphey continued songwriting and thanks to his pal Nesmith, he got a break when his "What Am I Doing Hangin' Round" got recorded by The Monkees. Other artists recorded his songs including a full concept album by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition (1972's "The Ballad of Calico"). Murphey finally got his own solo deal and issued the album "Geronimo's Cadillac," which featured the #37 title track. It would be his fourth LP in 1975, "Blue Sky - Night Thunder," that would break him wide with the platinum #3 hit "Wildfire." But following up that massive hit proved difficult and he only managed a couple of Top 40's over the next few years. In 1982 he made a label change, added his middle name, moved towards country crossover, and issued a self-titled album that featured this Top 20 single. It reached #4 AC and became his first #1 country hit.

ReduxReview:  This easy goin', hip-swayin' song is pretty hard to resist. Expertly done with a solid, singable chorus, the song should have gone Top 10. It's one of the best country crossover tunes from the decade. He's had some great songs, so if you like this check out some of his other tunes like the #21 "Carolina in the Pines."

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  This song, written by Rafe VanHoy, was originally done by England Dan & John Ford Coley. It appeared on their 1979 album "Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jive." The song was not released as a single.

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