"Radar Love" by White Lion

Song#:  4039

Date:  09/23/1989

Debut:  88

Peak:  59

Weeks:  13

Genre:  Hard Rock, Glam Metal

Pop Bits:  The band's first single from their third album Big Game, "Little Fighter," would do fine at Rock getting to #12, but it stalled a bit early on the Pop chart at #52. That was a bit of a disappointment since their previous album, Pride, spawned a pair of Pop Top 10 hits. To try and gain back momentum, this cover tune was issued out as the second single. It did little to help revive the album. It failed to make the Rock chart while stalling in the bottom half of the Pop chart. Still, the band's touring and popularity helped the album get to #19 and go gold. However, that was a far cry from the double-platinum status of Pride.

ReduxReview:  Pushing out a classic rock remake as a single wasn't a bad idea and their choice in doing this song was sound as well. It seemed like a no-brainer, but it didn't pay off for the band. I think the problem was that they really didn't do much to make the song their own, except perhaps make it louder. It was a capable cover, but there was nothing here that made it special. It just made you wanna go back and hear the original.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) This is a remake of a song originally recorded by the Dutch rock band Golden Earring. Their 1973 version would become their first hit in the US getting to #13. While the band would remain hugely popular back home, they mainly disappeared in the US until they were able to score their one and only Top 10 in 1983 with "Twilight Zone."   2) Like many other hair metal artists, White Lion succumbed to the new kids in town, the grunge bands. Their fourth album, 1991's Main Attraction, failed to spawn a significant single and peaked at a low #61. That result along with some internal struggles and the advent of grunge led to the demise of White Lion in '92. Over the years, lead singer Mike Tramp would revive the White Lion name and even record a couple of albums, but no other original member participated. Tramp would have some success with another band he formed called Freak of Nature. He would also step out for a solo career along the way. In his native country of Denmark, his solo albums would do well with five of them making the Top 20 in that country including 2014's Museum, which reached #3.

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