"So Wrong" by Patrick Simmons

Song#:  1385
Date:  03/19/1983
Debut:  72
Peak:  30
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  With The Doobie Brothers kaput, founding member Simmons took the same route as Michael McDonald and headed out on a solo career. McDonald was able to grab a hit with his debut solo single "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" (#4), so hopes were high that Simmons could do the same. This first single from his album "Arcade" got enough attention to just barely make the pop Top 30. Rock radio was a little more receptive with the song reaching #17. It even briefly hit the R&B chart at #77. The single helped the album reach #57, but it all wasn't quite enough to make Simmons a solo star.

ReduxReview:  Here is another song that I knew reached the Top 40, yet I could not remember a lick of it. And even after taking a listen, it still wasn't familiar. This one is slightly odd. Not necessarily the song itself, but the pairing of it with Simmons. He was the Southern folk/rock guy of the Doobies who wrote some lovely melodies, so this highly produced dance/rocker tune seems out of character. Maybe that was the intent - separate from the Doobie sound (even though the harmonies totally reflect the band). Simmons co-wrote the tune with Chris Thompson (of the group Night) and I like it. I'm not sure why I missed this back in the day. I love songs that have a driving groove like this and am glad to rediscover it. I wish his album followed the sound of this song, but it is a mish-mash of different styles that doesn't gel into a solid work. Regardless, I'll be adding this song to my collection.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) In addition to being a founding member of The Doobie Brothers, Simmons contributed songs along the way. His most famous composition would be 1974's "Black Water." Issued as a single, it became The Doobie's first #1 hit.  2) Oddly, this song received a dance remix and it ended up receiving a lot of club play. It did well enough to reach #7 on the dance chart, which was the highest position it reached on any chart.

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