"What the Big Girls Do" by Van Stephenson

Song#:  2001
Date:  08/04/1984
Debut:  83
Peak:  45
Weeks:  9
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Stephenson got his second, and best, Pop chart entry with the #22 "Modern Day Delilah," the lead single from his second album Righteous Anger. This follow-up nearly got into the Top 40, but it stalled just short of that mark. It would end up being Stephenson's last solo song to get on the Pop chart. He would issue a third album in 1986 titled Suspicious Heart, but the singles from the LP failed to do anything and the album sunk quickly - along with his record deal. However, all was not lost. Stephenson continued to write songs for other artists and later co-founded the country band BlackHawk (see below). Sadly, Stephenson died from melanoma cancer in 2001.

ReduxReview:  I loved "Modern Day Delilah" and this song does a good job getting close to the quality of that tune. It's well-written and has a crunchy rock sound that fits right alongside other rock hits of the day. I think if it had a bit more promotion, the song could have made it into the Top 40. It really should have. I wouldn't peg it as a major hit, but it was a solid rock tune that should have sold a few more copies.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  In 1992, Stephenson, Henry Paul and Dave Robbins formed the country-rock group BlackHawk. The following year they were signed to Arista Nashville and their debut single "Goodbye Says It All" made it to #11 on the Country chart. That started a string of hits that included seven Country Top 10's. One of their songs, 1998's "There You Have It," nearly made the Pop Top 40 (#41). The trio made four albums before Stephenson had to leave the group due to his illness. After his death, the remaining two members carried on with new band members, but they would never reach the chart heights of the original trio.

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