"Believe in Me" by Dan Fogelberg

Song#:  1883
Date:  04/28/1984
Debut:  70
Peak:  48
Weeks:  9
Genre:  Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Fogelberg's album Windows and Walls included the #13 Pop/#14 AC hit "The Language of Love." For its follow-up, this ballad was chosen. It was a big hit at AC getting to #1. It would be Fogelberg's fourth and last AC chart topper. Although well-received at AC, the song didn't catch fire at Pop and it flamed out before it could get into the Top 40. The lack of another major Pop hit hindered album sales and after six consecutive platinum or double-platinum solo studio albums, Windows and Walls could only manage gold-level sales.

ReduxReview:  This song was pretty much perfect for AC radio. It was a bit reminiscent of Fogelberg's biggest hit, 1979's "Longer" (#2 Pop, #1 AC). The soft ballad was not a good fit for Pop. Things had changed at pop radio in the few years since Fogelberg had his last Top 10 hit and a sensitive, adult-leaning tune like this was not going to fit in with the sounds of the day. I have to say that even though I'm a fan of Fogelberg's, this was a song that I didn't much care for. It has a lovely sound and sentiment, but frankly it practically puts me to sleep. It is just too low-key and languid. Definitely not one of my favorite Fogelberg tracks.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  As a follow-up to his fourth album, 1977's Nether Lands, Fogelberg decided to stretch his soft rock music into a more jazz-leaning territory. He collaborated with jazz flautist Tim Weisberg, who had played on Nether Lands, and the pair worked up songs that blended aspects of jazz, rock, and pop. Due to a perceived resemblance between the two artists, the album was titled Twin Sons of Different Mothers. Although its lone single, "The Power of Gold," would only get to #24 at Pop, the album gained a following and ended up reaching #8 on the chart. It would later be certified platinum. They would revisit their pairing later in 1995 for a second LP titled No Resemblance Whatsoever. The cover of that album had them in the exact same pose as they did for their first LP. This time around, the magic didn't strike twice and the album failed to chart. Sadly, after the album's release, artists' partnership came to an end when Weisberg filed a lawsuit against Fogelberg for breach of contract and fraud.

_________________________________________________________________________________