"Fools Like Me" by Lorenzo Lamas

Song#:  2164
Date:  12/22/1984
Debut:  90
Peak:  85
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Pop, Soundtrack



Pop Bits:  By this time, actor Lorenzo Lamas was a TV star thanks to his breakout role on the hit prime time soap Falcon Crest. With his popularity near its peak, Lamas took the chance to move over to films and signed up to star in the breakdance flick Body Rock. Although Lamas had previously appeared in a few films, this would be the first film he had to carry as the lead. In addition to starring in the film, Lamas would also record a couple of songs that would be used in the film. The actual soundtrack LP did not contain these tracks, but one song from the album, the movie's theme "Body Rock" by Maria Vidal, would be issued as a single and get to #48 Pop. Despite not being on the soundtrack album, Lamas' two songs were issued as a single. This tune would serve as the a-side while the track "Smooth Talker" would be the b-side. The actual single did not connect the song with the film, so one could assume it was an attempt to start a music career for Lamas. Yet, as with the movie, the tune didn't make much of an impression and it disappeared after a few weeks. Lamas continued on Falcon Crest and then later was on another hit show titled Renegade.

ReduxReview:  Is this playing at the right speed? Wow. I didn't expect this. It almost sounds like an ill-fated attempt at a James Bond theme. The tune has solid pedigree. It was co-written by Andy Goldmark, Phil Gladston, and Sylvester Levay and co-produced by Levay and Phil Ramone, yet despite the folks involved, this dirge has a snooze factor of 10. It is obvious that Lamas had a limited voice, so maybe this slow delivery was necessary to make the ballad work. It's pretty bad, but I almost find it nearly scary to listen to. It's like some dark, brooding ballad sung by a vampire at and after, after, dark club. It's a little creepy. I will say that the b-side "Smooth Talker" is far worse (which was co-written by "Maniac" Michael Sembello). Yeah, a singing career was not in the cards for Lamas.

ReduxRating:  2/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) The movie Body Rock was a critical and commercial dud. The Razzies took notice of the flick and gave a nomination to Lamas for Worst Actor. His flip side song "Smooth Talker" would get a nod for Worst Original Song.  2) Lamas got the acting bug from his parents, Fernando Lamas and Arlene Dahl. Lamas was a popular actor in the 40s and 50s, but younger folks may remember his name via Billy Crystal, who based his "you look mahvelous!" character on Lamas. Lorenzo Lamas probably first turned heads when he appeared in the 1978 hit film Grease. He played the athlete Tom Chisum. For the role, Lamas had to dye his hair blonde so that he would look different from John Travolta's T-Birds gang.

_________________________________________________________________________________