"It's Not Enough" by Starship

Song#:  3988

Date:  08/05/1989

Debut:  80

Peak:  12

Weeks:  16

Genre:  Pop, Rock

Pop Bits:  The second album by Starship, 1987's No Protection, would end up being a #12 gold seller thanks to the #9 hit "It's Not Over ('Til It's Over)" and the inclusion of their big #1 soundtrack hit "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now." After things wrapped up with the album, long time Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship member Grace Slick decided to leave the band. Apparently she was not happy with the band's direction and material and left to join a reformed Jefferson Airplane. That left Mickey Thomas as the sole lead singer and guitarist Craig Chaquico the only other long term Jefferson Starship member remaining in the band. They forged ahead and recorded Starship's third effort Love Among the Cannibals. This first single was issued out and it did well at Rock getting to #10. On the Pop chart it would just miss out on the Top 10 while also getting to #30 AC. Unfortunately, the single didn't spark album sales and it would end up halting at a tepid #64.

ReduxReview:  While band members co-wrote four of the tracks on the album, the majority were by outside writers. This song was composed by Martin Page and Tommy Funderburk. The band had recorded tunes by Page on their previous LPs included the #1 "We Build This City." Unfortunately, this track wasn't nearly as good or memorable as that smash. In fact, I was surprised it got as far up the chart as it did. The mid-tempo song was fine, but it just sort of lumbered along and wasn't all that interesting. Frankly, I don't remember it at all. I'm sure I must have heard it several times back in the day yet not a lick of it sounded familiar to me. It definitely falls in the "meh" category.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  During the tour to support Love Among the Cannibals, the band found themselves in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Their show there ended up being canceled due to weather and so the band went to a local bar to hang out. Mickey Thomas and drummer Donny Baldwin had been friends for years. They played together in the Elvin Bishop's band when Thomas got to sing the lead vocal on Bishop's only major hit, 1976's "Fooled Around and Fell in Love." Thomas would later join up with Jefferson Starship and when the band's drummer quit in 1982, Thomas brought Baldwin on board. But after years of touring together, is seemed the pair were a bit at odds when the Cannibals tour started. It all came to a head in the Scranton bar when Baldwin viciously attacked Thomas. It was more than just a minor bar fight. Thomas had severe injuries to his face and broken ribs. He would end up undergoing facial reconstruction surgery. Because of this, the tour had to be postponed while Thomas healed. For obvious reasons, Baldwin was no longer a member of the band. Despite the massive injuries, Thomas didn't press charges against Baldwin. The pair just went their own ways and went on with their lives. In later years, Baldwin would join a newly reformed line up of Jefferson Starship headed up by original Jefferson Airplane/Starship member Paul Kantner.

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