Song#: 1514
Date: 07/02/1983
Debut: 88
Peak: 64
Weeks: 7
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Iris' album The High and the Mighty yielded one Pop chart single, the #57 "Tough World." It was a step down from his biggest hit, the #29 "My Girl." Iris' label, MCA, swooped in on the promotions side to try and help boost his next effort. MCA proceeded to team up with video game/computer make Atari to help promote Atari's new 1200XL home computer. Iris' newly recorded song "Do You Compute?" seemed like a great fit for a cross promotion and a deal was struck. Even before the song was released as a single, the tune and the computer were being used in ads, artwork, and Iris' MTV video. It didn't quite go well for either party. The computer was a sales flop and the song couldn't muster up much support at Pop. The only slightly bright spot was that the tune made it to #20 at Rock. Still, these weren't the hits that Atari, MCA, and Iris were hoping for. The song would be the only one from Iris' album Fortune 410 to reach any chart.
ReduxReview: Iris tosses out another gem of a rock track and yet it pretty much goes nowhere. Rock radio was into it for a bit, but it did not compute with Pop listeners. Yes, it may not be the perfect song for Pop contention, but it certainly should have done better (as should have most of Iris' singles). The highlights here are Iris' soaring vocals and the booming mid-section break, which is pretty darn badass.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: The name of the album comes from the style of glasses that Iris wore. Made by the Liberty company, the Fortune 410's were a classic men's frame that typically came in black. They resembled ones worn by one of Iris' favorite artists, Buddy Holly. They became a trademark look for Iris. Apparently, the Fortune 410's were also worn by Henry Kissinger.
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