"Love Grammar" by John Parr

Song#:  2533
Date:  11/16/1985
Debut:  92
Peak:  89
Weeks:  2
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Earlier in '85, Parr issued out "Magical," the second single from his self-title debut album. It was a good hit at Rock getting to #11 while only reaching #73 Pop. Still, it was enough to warrant a third single and this track was selected. Unfortunately, soon after its release a song Parr recorded for a film, "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)," was also put out. Of course, that song became a chart topper while "Love Grammar" got completely ignored. While having the hit was fantastic, it didn't come at the best time. Parr had nothing to follow it up. He was working with other artists at the time and had not recorded anything for his second album yet. Wanting to keep Parr's name out there and hoping to capitalize on the #1 "St. Elmo's," his label reissued "Love Grammar" and paired it with a new MTV video. Despite the extra push, the song still didn't connect and it disappeared after a quick couple of weeks on the chart. It even failed to make the Rock chart. Parr wouldn't be able to get out any new material for another year.

ReduxReview:  This didn't need to be released a second time. Regardless of "St. Elmo's," this wasn't going to be a hit. It wants to be an arena rock type of track via someone like Bon Jovi and it is nearly successful in the chorus, but the balance of the song isn't memorable. It makes for an interesting album track, but it really wasn't a good single candidate. Plus, after the more mainstream sound of "St. Elmo's," no one was going to pay attention to this rockin' track.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Thanks to "St. Elmo's," Parr got more opportunities to supply songs for movie soundtracks. This song would be used in the 1986 film The Flight of the Spruce Goose, which starred Karen Black (Easy Rider, Airport '75). Parr would also write a song specifically for the film titled "Steal You Away (Flight of the Spruce Goose)." It would appear in the movie and become the closing track on Parr's second album, 1986's Running the Endless Mile. Parr also had songs in the films Quicksilver, Three Men and a Baby, American Anthem, The Running Man, and Near Dark.

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