Rob riffs on Blondie's fourth studio album “Eat to the Beat” from September of 1979 (Dreaming / The Hardest Part / Shayla / Atomic. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Theme from the animated television series “Scooby-Doo” STAFF PICKS: “Pop Muzik” by M — Wayne. “Lonesome Loser” by the Little RIver Band — Brian. “Sail On” by The Commodores — Bruce. “Goodbye Stranger” by Supertramp — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Regatta de Blanc” by The Police. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Blondie had already established mainstream success by the time they released Eat to the Beat, their fourth studio album. Their previous album featured the hit singles “One Way or Another” and “Heart of Glass.” While not duplicating the commercial success of its predecessor, Eat to the Beat would nevertheless showcase Blondie's diversity while continuing to draw a mainstream audience led by the hit song “Dreaming.”
Blondie was an American band formed in 1974 by guitarist Chris Stein and vocalist (and former Playboy Bunny) Debbie Harry. The name of the group was originally called “Angel and the Snake,” but they changed the name to Blondie based on catcalls Harry often heard from truck drivers on the road. Blondie was a six person band for Eat to the Beat, with Harry and Stein joined by Frank Infante on guitar, Nigel Harrison on bass, Jimmy Destri on keyboards, and Clem Burke on drums.
The band came out of the punk and new wave genre originally, but had already achieved crossover appeal (and accusations of selling out) with the disco-influenced “Heart of Glass.” Eat to the Beat would see further diversity in genre and sound bringing rock, reggae, and disco-influenced tracks complementing the synth-heavy new wave sensibilities.
If your familiarity with Blondie is limited to the hits played on top 40 radio, you will be impressed with the variety of sounds and genres represented on this single album..
Dreaming
This song was written by Harry and Stein, and was inspired by ABBA. There is a lot of energy in this song, and the drums are a big part of that. The drummer, Clem Burke, was "blowing through the song," and deliberately overplaying it on this fast-paced take — they ended up using this one for the track.
The Hardest Part
The funky sound of this deep cut characterizes the diversity in the album. The song itself is about a heist. “The hardest part of the armored guard...big man of steel behind the steering wheel.”
Shayla
Led by a synth prelude, this song depicts a woman who works in a factory. There's an alternative, almost “coffee shop” feel to this one, and it truly showcases Debbie Harry's range in vocal talents.
Atomic
We're getting a western or surf music-influenced sound with this fourth track. Destri and Harry were attempting something similar to “Heart of Glass,” and there is a definite dance feel to the song. The bass solo in the middle of the song is a nice touch.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
The theme from the animated television series “Scooby-Doo”
The character "Scrappy-Doo" was introduced to the Scooby-Doo lineup...beginning the start of a long line of mediocre to horrible cartoons.
STAFF PICKS:
Pop Muzik by M
Wayne leads off the staff picks with a one hit wonder from a new wave and synthpop music project from London. M was musician Robin Scott, his brother Julian bass, and his wife Brigit on backing vocals and other backing musicians known as "The Factor." It is sung from the perspective of a disc jockey spinning records at a dance club..
Lonesome Loser by the Little River Band
Brian brings us the distinctive harmonies of the Little River Band. While the band is from Australia, the founding members were from the UK. The song is about a guy who is "unlucky in love," but keeps trying rather than taking a hard look at himself and realizing that he won't find love without getting himself right first.
Sail On by The Commodores
Bruce's pick features the close harmonies and excellent piano work of Lionel Richie and company from The Commodores and their seventh studio album. The song itself is a break-up song, but it is more resigned than angry or sad. "It was plain to see that a small town boy link me just-a wasn't your cup of tea, I was wishful thinking."
Goodbye Stranger by Supertramp
Rob's staff pick is off Supertramp's sixth and fantastically successful studio album “Breakfast In America.” Surprisingly, this song did not do well in the UK, but made it to number 15 in the States. "And I will go on shining, shining like brand new, and when I look behind me my troubles will be few." Davies and Hodgson wrote the songs, and wrote separately.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Regatta de Blanc by The Police
Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers, and Sting make their third appearance as our instrumental track with the title track to their second studio album.