"Talking in Your Sleep" by The Romantics

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  1644
Date:  10/08/1983
Debut:  90
Peak:  3
Weeks:  26
Genre:  Rock, New Wave



Pop Bits:  The Romantics seemed like they were poised for stardom after their 1980 self-titled debut album sold well thanks to the single "What I Like About You." The song wasn't a major hit (#49), but in time it became far more popular than what its peak would indicate.  Their second LP should have been their breakthrough, but unfortunately none of its singles charted and the album quickly came and went. Their third effort did even worse. Luckily, the last song they recorded for their fourth LP, In Heat, would provide them with the hit they were looking for. This song took a while to catch on, but once it did the single made a beeline for the Top 10 and ended up spending three weeks at #3.

ReduxReview:  What a way to revive a career that was on the brink of death. Everything about this single was perfect for taking over the Pop chart. It's got a great new wave-ish groove that supports a memorable verse and chorus. The only thing that has always bugged me about the song is the echo effect when he sings "sleep." The echo doesn't repeat the whole word but just "pleep, pleep, pleep."  For some reason, it irritates me. It's a minor quibble that I forget about when the chorus arrives. The band could write some catchy rock tunes, but none were as hit-worthy as this one and "What I Like About You." Unfortunately, they couldn't keep up the momentum set by this single and faded quickly. At least they left us with a couple great 80s tracks that have survived well passed that decade.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Over the years, The Romantics had issues with their songs (mainly "What I Like About You") being licensed for other uses, such as commercials and video games, and legal action was pursued. However, a rap remake of this single didn't seem to bother them. Rapper Snoop Dogg used the song as the basis for his 2009 track "Secrets." The song, featuring a guest appearance by Kokane, was a track on Snoop Dogg's LP Malice n Wonderland. It was not issued as a single.

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