"Dominoes" by Robbie Nevil

Song#:  3022
Date:  02/14/1987
Debut:  90
Peak:  14
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Dance-Pop



Pop Bits:  Nevil scored his first Pop Top 10 solo hit with "C'est la Vie," the lead single from his self-titled debut album. For a follow-up, this next track was selected. It appeared like the tune might follow "C'est la Vie" into the Top 10, but then it stopped just a bit short. It was also a minor entry on the Dance chart at #22. While it wasn't a major hit, it did well enough to extend sales of the album, which had already peaked at #37.

ReduxReview:  I think this song was a bit of a risky follow-up. "C'est la Vie" was a fun and bouncy tune that introduced folks to Nevil. It set the tone for his career and it seemed like a logical follow-up might keep him going down that path. Instead, we got this dark track that leaned a bit towards rock. It could have easily tanked because it was nothing like "C'est la Vie," but luckily it was strong enough to hold its own and it ended up doing quite well. At the time I was certainly tired of "C'est la Vie," so when "Dominoes" came out it sounded fresh and different. I didn't buy "C'est la Vie," but I bought this single. I still like it and would actually prefer to hear it over "C'est la Vie."

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  After his solo career waned in the early 90s, Nevil continued in the business writing songs for other artists. Connections led him over to the Disney studios in 2005 where he began to co-write songs for a new TV movie musical project. To be aired on the Disney Channel, High School Musical starred newcomers Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale and was directed by Kenny Ortega. Nevil would co-write five songs for the musical. It debuted in January of 2016 and became an instant smash. The soundtrack would follow suit hitting #1 and selling over four million copies. The movie would spawn two sequels and Nevil would co-write songs for both soundtracks.

_________________________________________________________________________________