"Love Cries" by Stage Dolls

Song#:  3976

Date:  07/29/1989

Debut:  96

Peak:  46

Weeks:  13

Genre:  Rock

Pop Bits:  This trio from Norway officially kicked off as Stage Dolls early in '83. They started to make a name for themselves on the club circuit and eventually got picked up by Mercury Records. They recorded a debut album titled Soldier's Gun that was released in Norway in '85. While it sold a few copies, it wasn't the major breakthrough the band was hoping for. They moved over to the indie Grappa label for their '86 album Commandos. It would do far better peaking at #8 in Norway. With the band doing well at home, a US distribution deal was sought and Big Time Records picked up the album. It wouldn't chart in the US, but it did gain a little attention. The success at home and rumblings of some potential in the US led to the band signing with Polydor. Their third album would be a self-titled effort that would become their biggest success. Released in '88, it would become a #3 gold seller in Norway. This led to a US distribution deal with Chrysalis and the album would be issued out in the summer of '89. This first single would be released and it would do well at Rock getting to #14. The tune would cross over to Pop where it got near the Top 40 mark. A second single, "Still in Love," would be a minor #37 entry at Rock. The album would make it to #118.

ReduxReview:  These guys seem to have been lumped in with the other late 80s glam metal bands, but I think they had more in common with Foreigner or Journey than Poison or Mötley Crüe. Their look was glam at the time, but their sound was more Kiss-leaning AOR. This single sounded like the band listened to a lot of early 80s American rock. That opening guitar riff sounded like a leftover from '82. Regardless, the track wasn't too bad. It had a nice chorus and the production was good. It had mainstream appeal and that helped it nearly crack the Pop Top 40. The band had talent and ability, I just think it might have been more appreciated a few years earlier.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The band's success would continue in Norway with their #5 fourth album Stripped. It featured their biggest hit at home, the #3 "Love Don't Bother Me." The video for that song featured an up-n-coming model by the name of Kate Moss. Unfortunately, the LP didn't catch on in the US and it failed to chart. The loss of momentum killed off any further success in the States. The trio would remain popular at home and around Europe.

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