"Walk on Water" by Eddie Money

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  3667

Date:  10/01/1988

Debut:  67

Peak:  9

Weeks:  21

Genre:  Rock

Pop Bits:  Money had a career-best single with 1986's "Take Me Home Tonight." The tune topped out at #4 Pop/#1 Rock. It was from his sixth album Can't Hold Back, which reached #20 and turned platinum. With two more Pop Top 30/Rock Top 10 hits as follow-ups, the LP would be Money's most successful of the 80s. For his next effort, Money didn't do much to change his successful formula. He went back into the studio with producer Richie Zito and came out with Nothing to Lose. This first single would be issued out and it would end up being Money's second at final Top 10 at Pop while also reaching #2 at Rock. Oddly, the hit didn't fully spark album sales. It would stall at #49 and miss out on going gold, which was unusual considering the platinum performance of Can't Hold Back along with this Top 10 hit.

ReduxReview:  Money continued his streak of good singles with this one. It was a well-written track that was perfect for both pop and rock radio. The various sections were all hooky and memorable. Filled out with "na na na"'s and hand claps, the tune was a nice slice of rock ear candy that was appropriate for the time it came out. It only took me one listen to predict the song would go Top 10. Written by Sammy Hagar band member Jesse Harms, it was exactly the right tune for Money.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  There are sections of the song where the melody is carried by a bunch of  "na na na"'s. According to Money, that was not the original plan. Apparently, that melody line was supposed to be performed by a horn (presumably a sax) player. However, for whatever reason the musician didn't show up to the session. With limited time and a need to get the song finished, producer Richie Zito and Money opted to have the line done by voices just singing "na na na." The decision seemed like a good one as it added something memorable to the tune and perhaps helped to make the song a hit since folks could sing along with the voices. However, Money ended up disliking the "na na na" sections because he thought it sounded silly to do them in concert.

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