"My Town" by Michael Stanley Band

Song#:  1640
Date:  10/01/1983
Debut:  72
Peak:  39
Weeks:  10
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Although they had yet to breakthrough nationally in a major way, this hugely popular Cleveland band seemed primed to do so at any moment. Their albums were consistent sellers and they got into the Pop Top 40 in 1980 with their single "He Can't Love You." Their fourth album for EMI America, You Can't Fight Fashion, seemed to be another solid set that had a chance to really advance their career. Set in motion by this first single which became their second Top 40 entry (and #11 Rock), the album did well and topped out at #64 - their best showing yet. It was all good, but it still wasn't the one that put them over the top.

ReduxReview:  Just my opinion, but this should have been the album that made them national stars. I think most critics think their 1980 Heartland LP was their best and perhaps it was. But Fashion is a meaty album that contained some of the band's best songs and had terrific production by Bob Clearmountain. It just sounded like it should have been a hit. I think they really kicked it up a notch in order to break out of the Midwest, but it still just wasn't quite enough. I think the main problem was that they just didn't have that one specific song that would be a major hit. This song is a worthy single, but rock anthems weren't necessarily burning up the charts at the time. Still, this one could have done a bit better and got them closer to country-wide name recognition.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Stanley wrote this anthem as an homage to his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Apparently, over 100 versions of this song were edited to be played in different cities around the world. Although the original lyrics didn't mention Cleveland by name, for the other versions the name of the city was inserted into the lyrics. These versions would be used for airplay in the specific cities. However, if you went to buy the single, it would be the original version. The city shout-outs were not available.

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