Top 10 Alert!
Song#: 2717 Date: 05/10/1986
Debut: 85
Peak: 2
Weeks: 21
Genre: Pop, Rock, Soundtrack
Pop Bits: At this point in time, two of Loggins' three Top 10 hits were from movie soundtracks including the 1984 #1 "Footloose." His 1985 album that followed that smash, Vox Humana, was expected to be a big seller, but it stalled at gold-level sales due to the lack of a significant hit. While figuring out his next step, Loggins was asked to sing this Giorgio Moroder/Tom Whitlock composition that was slated to be used in an upcoming film titled Top Gun, which starred Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer. Loggins accepted the job and proceeded to record the tune with Moroder producing. Selected as the first single from the soundtrack album, it would be issued out a couple of weeks before the movie's premier. Luckily, the film was a big hit and that helped the song peak right near the top of the Pop chart becoming Loggins' third Top 10 hit from a soundtrack. The album would also be a major hit spending five non-consecutive weeks at #1. It would go on to sell over nine million copies.
ReduxReview: Moroder is not necessarily known for writing and producing rock tracks, but he did a damn fine job on this one. I love the mysterious verse that's minus the snare sound and accented by fills which then leads to a crashing into the chorus. I used to crank this on my stereo and it sounded meaty and mighty. It's a hooky track that's not too complicated or overdone. The song was perfect for Top Gun and it was exciting to hear in the film and on the radio. "Footloose" may be Loggins' classic film song, but this one is nearly as good.
ReduxRating: 9/10
Trivia: Although it seemed like getting Loggins to do this song was a no-brainer thanks to his track record of film hits, he was actually the fifth act asked to do the job. The producers first wanted Toto to record the tune and it seems they were up for doing it and contributing a love song called "Only You" to the soundtrack, but legal issues arose and Toto bailed. Bryan Adams was in contention as well. Producers wanted to use one of Adams' songs and thought he could perform "Danger Zone" as well, but Adams declined as he though the film glorified war. REO Speedwagon was given a shot to do the tune, but because producers declined their request to have one of their original songs on the album as well, they dropped out. Corey Hart was approached for the job, but he didn't want to sing someone else's song. Finally, a call went to Loggins and a Top 10 hit was born.
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Adams was, and is, an idiot when he gets political. The movie is not about war. It's about a military branch. As far as I know, no actual war serves as the backdrop for the film. Just think, Adams could have kept up the momentum from Reckless and his next album might have done better. But "principled" politics whose principles were misplaced cost him. Oh, well, Kenny's gain.
ReplyDeleteYeah, don't get me started on Bryan Adams. Let's just say I'm not a fan musically or personally. There are some songs that won't shine until they find the right interpreter and this one luckily did. I can't even imagine how Adams would have ruined this track.
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