Rob features the debut studio album from Missing Persons entitled “Studio Session M” on the charts in November 1982 (Windows / Words / Noticeable One / Destination Unknown). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “The Imperial March” from the motion picture “The Empire Strikes Back” STAFF PICKS: “New World Man” by Rush — Brian. “Don't Fight It” by Kenny Loggins and Steve Perry — Bruce. “Halloween” by the Dead Kennedys — Wayne. “Crazy” by Supertramp — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “D.N.A.”- A Flock of Seagulls. **(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.)
One of the staple groups of the early 80's New Wave genre was Missing Persons. Their debut album with Capital Records was Spring Session M, an anagram of the band's name.
The founding trio was vocalist Dale Bozzio, drummer (and Dale's husband) Terry Bozzio, and guitarist Warren Cuchunullo. The Bozzio's were working with Frank Zappa and met Cuchunullo when he contributed to a Zappa album. The trio worked with session musicians, created an EP, and established a successful presence in Los Angeles. They added bassist Patrick O'Hearn and keyboardist Chuck Wild to the band before producing their debut album.
Spring Session M was a success, riding the New Wave genre to popularity. Dale Bozzio's makeup and quirky vocals added to that success, as did her photogenic presence in the band's videos on the fledgling cable channel MTV. Unfortunately, Spring Session M would also be the high water mark for the band, with follow-up albums failing to achieve similar success. The band broke up in 1986, as did the Bozzio's marriage. However Dale Bozzio, Cuchunullo, and O'Hearn would continue to work together on solo projects and Mission Persons reunions. The band tours today, with Dale Bozzio as the only founding member still present.
Windows
This song expresses the idea of watching life from the safety of the windows rather than participating in it. It was the third of four singles released from the album.
Words
"What are words for when no one listens?" The lyrics for this song chronicles the apathy of society and the efforts that people make to be seen and heard: "Do you hear me? Do you care?" "Not only are they deaf and dumb they could be going blind and no one notices. I think I'll die my hair blue." This is also a good example of Dale Bozzio's vocal range.
Noticeable One
Although there was some airplay for this song, it was not released as a single. Continuing the theme of attention or lack of attention, this song calls for the listener to "Notice me!"
Destination Unknown
The biggest hit (tied with "Words" on the charts) only went to number 42, but spent 13 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. The synth heavy song was on their 1980 EP, and was released on this album. It saw heavy airplay in the early days of MTV. "Life is so strange (destination unknown) when you don't know your destination."
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
The Imperial March (the Darth Vader Theme from the motion picture “The Empire Strikes Back”)
This movie was re-released (actually the third release) in November 1982 in preparation for the third installment in the trilogy to follow.
STAFF PICKS:
New World Man by Rush
Brian's staff pick is from the album Signals. "He's noble enough to know what's right but weak enough not to choose it. He's wise enough to win the world but fool enough to lose it." Surprisingly this is the highest charting single by Rush hitting number 21 on the Billboard Top 40 - the only Rush song to make the top 40. The song was a last-minute addition to the album.
Don't Fight It by Kenny Loggins and Steve Perry
Bruce brings us a song off Kenny Loggin's album "High Adventure." Loggins and Perry co-wrote this rocker with Dean Pitchford who would go on to write the screenplay for Footloose. The guitar work is from Neil Giraldo, Pat Benatar's husband and guitarist. This is one of Perry's furst non-Journey works, and he was looking to connect with other songwriters as he prepared to work on his solo album.
Halloween by the Dead Kennedys
Wayne features a punk work which encourages people to be themselves each day rather than just putting on masks at Halloween. The Dead Kennedys formed in 1978, and this song is off their second studio album, "Plastic Surgery Disasters." They recorded four albums before breaking up in 1986, though they have reformed from time to time ever since.
Crazy by Supertramp
Rob's staff pick is "a little song to make you feel good," a deep cut off the last album with Roger Hodgson. It is off their studio album "...Famous Last Words..." which was their follow-up to the amazingly successful "Breakfast in America." The album would reach number 5 on the album charts and contained the hit "It's Raining Again."
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
D. N. A. by A Flock of Seagulls
We close out with an instrumental from New Wave artists A Flock of Seagulls.