"Long Way to Love" by Britny Fox

Song#:  3659

Date:  10/01/1988

Debut:  100

Peak:  100

Weeks:  2

Genre:  Hard Rock, Glam Metal

Pop Bits:  This Philly band began to form in 1985 when two original members of the band Cinderella, drummer Tony Destra and guitarist Michael Kelly Smith, decided to leave that band (or were fired according to a couple of accounts) and start one of their own. With lead singer Dean Davidson and bassist Billy Childs, Britny Fox was born and they quickly started to gain attention. In '86, they would record an indie LP titled In America, but not long after, Destra died in a car accident. He was eventually replaced by Johnny Dee and the band was then able to sign a deal with Columbia Records. They recorded a self-titled major label debut album with producer John Jansen and this first single was pushed out. It got some attention at rock radio and was able to reach #33 on the Rock chart. That along with support from MTV allowed the song to cross over to Pop. Unfortunately, it could only spend two weeks at the very bottom spot on the chart. Two further singles failed to chart. Despite the lack of support via singles, the band became popular thanks to their high profile tour dates with Poison and Warrant. The album would peak at #39 and eventually become a gold seller. The band seemed like they were poised for bigger things, but then their second album, '89's Boys in Heat failed to replicate the success of their previous effort peaking at a minor #79. Lead singer Davidson would then leave the band and was replaced with Tommy Paris. Britny Fox would put out '91's Bite Down Hard, but the demise of glam metal in favor of grunge took a toll and the album flopped. The following year the band would call it quits.

ReduxReview:  The band's connection to Cinderella sort of got them tagged as clones of that band, but I think that was a bit unfair. They were able to do their own thing and did it quite well. This driving first single was good example of late 80s hair metal. It rocked hard yet had enough pop elements to make it catchy. The track was produced well and Dean Davidson's high-pitched, gravelly delivery was just right for the genre. With the look, some good tunes, the support from MTV, and primo touring spots, the band got enough of the right promotion to make their album go gold. Their success didn't last long, but at least they were able to make an impression before grunge came in and nearly killed off glam metal.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) The unusual name of the band came from the ancestry of lead singer Dean Davidson whose family line goes back to Wales in the 18th century. It seems that way back then he had an ancestor by the name of Brittany (or Brittney) Fox. Davidson thought the moniker sounded metal-ish and suggested it for the band's name. After an adjustment to the first name Britny Fox was born.  2) Thus far in the 80s, this has been the only song to peak at #100 on the Pop chart. Two songs got to #99; The Cure's "In Between Days (Without You)" and Colin Hay's "Hold Me." Both of those songs only spent one week on the chart. Britny Fox was able to hang on for a second week at the same spot. We'll see if in the remainder of '88 or in '89 another song will join the #100 peak or not.

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