"Sara" by Starship

#1 Alert!

Song#:  2579
Date:  12/28/1985
Debut:  65
Peak:  1 (1 week)
Weeks:  20
Genre:  Soft Rock



Pop Bits:  The band's first album under the new Starship moniker, Knee Deep in the Hoopla, started off quite well when the LP's first single, "We Built This City," made it to #1. While the hit caught many folks by surprise, they were downright shocked when this next single followed suit and topped the Pop chart as well. It would also get to #1 at AC while going to #12 at Rock. The early, original version of the band, Jefferson Airplane, grabbed back-to-back Top 10's in 1967 with "Somebody to Love" (#5) and "White Rabbit" (#8), but they were unable to do that again and neither could Jefferson Starship. The two lineups were also unable to score a #1 hit. It took the third version of the band to finally top the chart and they did it twice in a row; and it wouldn't be their last time hitting #1.

ReduxReview:  After the bombast of "We Built This City," this lovely ballad was certainly welcome. It was a well-written, radio-ready track that had a terrific vocal by Mickey Thomas. This really was a can't-miss hit, especially when following up a #1. I remember buying the album and when hearing this song for the first time immediately thinking, "this is definitely a hit and had better get issued out!" Out of their 80s hits, this is the one that has aged the best, even with its dated production.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  This song was written by Peter Wolf (not of J. Geils Band fame) and his wife Ina Wolf. They named the song after lead singer Mickey Thomas' (then) wife Sara. The Wolfs' would have a productive period in the mid-80s writing songs for other artists including Jefferson Starship, El DeBarge, Kenny Loggins, and others. The pair also recorded a couple of albums as a duo named Wolf & Wolf. Their self-titled 1984 album was produced by Ron Nevison, who had produced three albums for Jefferson Starship and would produce Heart's 1985 comeback album (on which Mickey Thomas and Grace Slick would appear doing background vocals).

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