"Holdin' On" by Tané Cain

Song#:  1138
Date:  08/14/1982
Debut:  89
Peak:  37
Weeks:  11
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Born in Hawaii, Cain's musical career started there with a stint in the Latin jazz group Sweet Honesty. She made a move to San Francisco later in the 70s and it was there that she met her future husband, Jonathan Cain (The Babys, Journey). She secured a deal with RCA Records and in 1982 issued her self-titled debut album, which was mostly written and co-produced by her husband. The LP's first single, "Danger Zone," failed to make an impression and didn't chart. However, this second single caught on enough to duck just inside the Top 40. Despite positive reviews for the album and a chart single, RCA wasn't impressed with the results and they dropped Cain from the label. It would end up being her one and only album and chart single. Cain would turn to acting beginning with a few horror flicks follow by a long series of sexploitation films. She did do a couple of mainstream films along the way including playing Reese Witherspoon's mom in the two "Legally Blonde" movies.

ReduxReview:  Her music was compared to Pat Benatar's, which is pretty much valid. However, her voice didn't sound like Benatar's (unlike the other Benatar-a-like, Quarterflash's Rindy Ross). Cain had a decent voice for rock and got some good material thanks to Jonathan Cain, so it's a little odd that she didn't catch on a bit more. I can't say that this is an outstanding single, but if it had been paired with a better video for MTV, I think this could have done better.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Although primarily a musician, Cain had acting in her blood. Born Tané McClure, she is the daughter of actor Doug McClure. Although he appeared in many films from the late 50's on, McClure's most famous role was that of the cowboy Trampas on the hit TV show "The Virginian" (1962-1971). Along with Troy Donahue, McClure served as the inspiration for the character Troy McClure on "The Simpsons." Voiced by Phil Hartman, the character was retired after Hartman's death in 1998.

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