"Take the L" by The Motels

Song#:  1166
Date:  09/04/1982
Debut:  85
Peak:  52
Weeks:  9
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  This band's third LP, "All Four One," finally broke them through to the masses when the album's first single "Only the Lonely" cracked the Top 10 (#9). This follow-up got about halfway up the chart before petering out. By this time their LP had reached #16 and gone gold, but it might have done better had this single been a more significant hit.

ReduxReview:  Okay, here is another instance of me loving this song, yet thinking this was probably not the right follow-up single. After the cool balladry of "Only the Lonely," this heavy, rock-leaning tune may have confused listeners and been a bit too hard for pop radio. I think they would have done better releasing the retro-pop "Forever Mine" (which would become the LP's third single) or the new wave influenced "So L.A." I just don't think folks were ready for this dark single. Regardless, I was a fan of it and still am.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Although the band's first two albums, their self-titled debut and "Careful," were not significant hits in the US, both albums performed well in Australia where each reached gold status (sales of 35,000+). These were helped along by the #4 single "Total Control," which came from their debut album.

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