"Foolish Heart" by Steve Perry

Song#:  2136
Date:  11/24/1984
Debut:  83
Peak:  18
Weeks:  19
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Perry's debut solo album Street Talk was on its way to double-platinum status thanks to three Top 40 hits. The label thought there was still gas left in the tank and decided to issue this fourth single. Surprisingly, the ballad found an audience and did better that his previous two singles by making it into the Pop Top 20. It got a little help getting there thanks to solid action at AC, where it reached #2. The results gave Perry his second biggest solo hit.

ReduxReview:  Okay, NOW they release this song. It was two singles too late. Had this followed up "Oh Sherrie!," I think it would have done even better. It was just a no-brainer that this song would do well. That said, I just kinda like the song. It's well written and performed, but I find it a bit slight. It could have used a bit more oomph in the production as it's just a little too laid-back. However, it was a solid candidate for a single and the Top 20 showing for it was very good considering his previous two singles couldn't get that far.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The video for this song certainly wasn't a budget buster. Only one camera was used and the whole video consisted of one shot. Taped in a theater, the camera shows an empty stage and then Perry walks out, takes a seat, and the song begins. As the song continues, the camera pans closer and closer to Perry during the song. Then near the end it backs off to its original starting point and Perry walks off stage. That's it. No cuts or edits. Just one long extended shot. Apparently, a different "holiday" version of the video existed that did have an extended scene where the camera cuts to Perry walking out the theater door and being greeted by his Journey band mates. They all have a glass of champagne and wish their fans happy holidays and happy new year. Then, as a wink to the fans that Perry was returning to Journey, Perry states, "now let's go cut a record." It would take another year or so, but they would return with a new album in '86.

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