"I Wanna Go Back" by Billy Satellite

Song#:  2150
Date:  12/08/1984
Debut:  82
Peak:  78
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  This Oakland, California, band got on the charts with their first single, "Satisfy Me." It got to #30 Rock and #64 Pop. It was taken from their self-titled debut album as was this second single. Unfortunately, it couldn't find an audience and after a few short weeks the song disappeared. Although the two singles and the album were not exactly big sellers, their label (Capitol) sent them off to make a new LP, which they did. However, changes at the label caused the LP to get shelved and the band dropped. The band would break up in the wake of the disappointment. Their second album remained vaulted until it finally saw the light of day in 2016 as Billy Satellite II.

ReduxReview:  It's amazing what can be done with a song when it gets done by an experienced artist and producer with a big budget. There was potential in this Billy Satellite original and Eddie Money certainly tapped into it (see below). The band's original is much more subdued and never really takes off. It's kind of a bland mid-tempo ballad. You can hear that there was something good in the song, especially with the chours, but the production and arrangement just lacked any zeal. It's not a bad record, but when you hear Eddie Money's take, the difference is nite 'n' day.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  This song certainly wasn't a big hit for the band, but another artist would make it one in a couple of years. Eddie Money would record a version of this song for his 1986 album Can't Hold Back. The track would be issued as the LP's second single and it would get to #3 Rock and #14 Pop. The song was also recorded by former Journey keyboardist Gregg Rolie for his 1985 debut solo album. It was not issued as a single.

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