"Count on Me" by Gerard McMahon

Song#:  1404
Date:  04/09/1983
Debut:  87
Peak:  85
Weeks:  3
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Born in England, McMahon mostly grew up in the US thanks to a move his family had made. By the early 70s, he was already a seasoned performer who picked up solid work as a session musician. A move to Colorado prompted him to front his own band called Gerard. They became quite popular in the area and that lead to a contract with Caribou Records. Their 1976 self-titled debut album got a little notice with the single "Hello, Operator" just missing the pop chart (bubbling under at #109). The band would split after one more album and McMahon went back to session playing and songwriting. He got a shot at a solo career with Columbia Records in 1980, but after one album he was dropped. Warner Bros. picked him up next and McMahon issued the LP "No Looking Back." This single from the album became his first (and only) to reach the pop chart. It wasn't enough for Warner to keep him, so McMahon moved on to Atlantic for an LP (under the name Gerard McMann) that also went nowhere. McMahon then shifted his focus to writing music for TV and films. He would later record under the moniker G TOM MAC and issue a few albums and EPs.

ReduxReview:  Knowing that McMahon has contributed a lot of songs to soundtracks, including "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," this song makes sense. It kind of sounds like something that would play in a buddy movie or some teenage comedy. It's a good song, but I would not peg it for single release. It's missing that bit of flare that is needed to really shine on the pop chart. Perhaps in the hands of another artist/producer, something better could have been done. As-is, I find it likable, but average.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) In 1987, McMahon (going by McMann at the time) co-wrote and performed the song "Cry Little Sister" for the film "The Lost Boys." It served as the film's theme song. The soundtrack would be a hit reaching #15, however McMahon's song would not be issued as a single despite being quite popular. The song has been covered by several artists and a sample of the song was used by Eminem for the track "You're Never Over" from his 2010 album "Recovery."  2) McMahon wrote the song "Bad Times," which was the very first song I covered for this blog. McMahon wrote and performed it for the film "Defiance." Tavares picked it up for their album "Supercharged." It was a #10 R&B hit (#47 pop).

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