"Can't Get Started" by Peter Wolf

Song#:  3129
Date:  05/23/1987
Debut:  92
Peak:  75
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Wolf scored a second Pop Top 20 solo hit with "Come As You Are," the lead single from his second album of the of the same name. The tune would be his first and only to reach #1 on the Rock chart. For a follow-up, this album opening track was selected. While it would get to #16 at Rock, it couldn't quite cut it on Pop radio and the song stalled in the lower quarter of the chart. The album wouldn't be a major seller, but it did well enough to hit #53.

ReduxReview:  This rave-up was an exciting rock 'n' roll track that could liven up any party. It played pretty well on rock radio, but it just wasn't the kind of song that was gonna burn up the Pop chart. I think it is a great track. I can't help but smile and jam along with it. In a way it kind plays like Buddy Holly meets the Rolling Stones. The whole album is really good, but sadly it has kind of gotten lost because it's never been reissued and has never made it to the streaming services. Luckily, you can hear the whole thing on YouTube and it is worth it.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Following the Come As You Are album, Wolf took a bit of a break. He also left his home label of EMI, which he had been with since 1978 with the J. Geils Band. By the end of the decade, he signed on with MCA and in 1990 released his third album Up to No Good. The album featured the #9 Rock/#77 Pop track "99 Worlds," but it wasn't enough to really boost sales of the album (#111). Issues arose between Wolf and MCA and that led to a lawsuit the kept Wolf from recording any new music for several years. Beginning in 1996, Wolf returned to recording and would issue out several albums for various labels. Most would be critically well-received with 2002's Sleepless even making Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (#427). He would also join back up with the J. Geils Band several times for performances and tours, however the band would never record any new music.

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