"Fall in Love with Me" by Earth, Wind & Fire

Song#:  1317
Date:  01/22/1983
Debut:  78
Peak:  17
Weeks:  16
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Earth, Wind & Fire shed their 70s sound and moved into the 80s with their album "Raise!" It was very successful (#5 pop, #1 R&B) reaching platinum status thanks in part to the #3 gold single "Let's Groove" (#1 R&B). For their follow-up album, "Powerlight," they continued to dress up their signature sound in 80s colors. It wasn't quite as well-received this time around with this first single only making a Top 20 pop showing. It got to #4 at R&B, but even that wasn't quite enough to make the album a smash hit. It would be their first album since 1974 to miss the pop Top 10. At R&B it would be their first since 1972 to miss hitting #1 or #2. The LP would be certified gold, but it was a definite drop that signaled a decline in popularity.

ReduxReview:  The title of this song wasn't familiar to me, but since it peaked at #17, I know I would have heard it for several weeks on the American Top 40 show. So I thought I'd recognize it when I played it. Nope. Didn't remember a lick of it. I can't say I'm surprised though. There is not a lot here to grab onto. It sounds like a nice album track from the band's heyday with some 80s flourishes added. The only standout section is the guitar solo. Other than that, it's just an average EWF effort.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Although this was not one of their most successful singles, it was enough to grab the attention of Grammy voters. The band received a Best R&B Vocal Performance, Duo or Group nomination for this song.

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