"Tip of My Tongue" by The Tubes

Song#:  1541
Date:  07/23/1983
Debut:  72
Peak:  52
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  After eleven years and six albums together, The Tubes finally scored their biggest hit with the #10 "She's a Beauty" (#1 Rock). It would help their album Outside Inside reach #18 and become their best-selling studio album. They tried to keep up the momentum with this next single, but it stopped just shy of the top half of the chart. Unfortunately the slide would continue for the band and they would never see the Top 40 again.

ReduxReview:  Following up the delicious pop/rock of "She's a Beauty" was not going to be easy. I don't think any other song on Outside Inside was in the same league as that hit, but there were a couple of choice tunes that might have worked. I probably would have stayed in the rock vein and tried "No Not Again," but this heavily David Foster-ized production was chosen. It wasn't necessarily a bad choice, but the switch to an R&B-leaning track was lost on the rock audience. It didn't even crack the Rock chart. I think that hurt its chances to make more of an impact at Pop. I enjoy the song, but it just may have not been the best choice for a second single.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  If this horn-laden funky track reminds you of Earth, Wind & Fire, there is a reason for that. EWF's Maurice White co-wrote this song with Michael Synder and The Tubes. White also provides some uncredited background vocals on the track. In addition to his work with EWF, White produced and wrote (or co-wrote) for many other artists including major pop stars like Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow, and Neil Diamond. One of his biggest hits outside of EWF was the 1977 #1 hit "Best of My Love" for The Emotions. The song would win that band a Grammy.

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