"Why Me" by Planet P

Song#:  1415
Date:  04/16/1983
Debut:  83
Peak:  64
Weeks:  9
Genre:  Prog Rock



Pop Bits:  Following the release of his second solo album, singer/songwriter Tony Carey signed on to Geffen for his third album. But before that album was set to go, Carey was able to sign a second deal with Geffen to release his more experimental tracks under the pseudonym of Planet P (later updated to Planet P Project). Since Carey had those recordings set to go, his first effort for Geffen ended up being the self-titled debut LP for Planet P. This first single was issued from the album and it gained exposure through a video played on MTV. Rock radio loved the track and sent it to #4 on Mainstream Rock chart, which in turn helped the single reach the Pop chart where it resided for a couple of months. Oddly, when this song debuted, Carey's first solo charting single, "I Won't Be Home Tonight" (#79) was still riding the chart. This Planet P song would end up doing slightly better. Although Carey would go on to have more solo chart singles, this would the the lone one for Planet P.

ReduxReview:  Planet P's sci-fi themed prog-rock songs were interesting, but they weren't necessarily made for pop chart consumption, which is perfectly fine. So it must have been a nice bonus that Carey's project ended up with this left-field rock hit. It kind of borders on Alan Parsons Project territory (in a good way). I like the song and several others on the album. Had I known this existed back in the day, I probably would have picked it up. I don't think I'd categorize it as a lost treasure, but it is an interesting find.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Although Carey was scheduled to release his third album, "Some Tough City," on Geffen, label execs had issues with a couple of songs (including what would become Carey's biggest solo hit, "It's a Fine Fine Day"). Carey also handed in the next Planet P album and they didn't care for that either. With Geffen not thrilled with the results, Carey ended up getting moved over to MCA. They went ahead and issued both "Some Tough City" and Planet P's "Pink World."  2) Carey got his recording pseudonym from the 1959 novel "Starship Troopers" by Robert A. Heinlein. There is a planet in the novel called Planet P. Years later, film rights to the novel were purchased and in 1997 the movie "Starship Troopers" was released. However, a good chunk of the film had nothing to do with the book. Ends up, director Paul Verhoeven only purchased the rights to help enhance a movie that he was already working on. Verhoeven has said he hadn't even read the book and when he tried, he hated it. Therefore, the film has little to do with the concepts in the book.

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