For the love of rock
Vol V, Issue 6 – Mainstreet (01 Jun 2020)
www.intheloveofrock.com
Name of song- Mainstreet
Band –Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Writer- Bob Seger
Release year- 1977
Album – Night Moves
Peak chart positions
# 1 – Canadian RPM Singles
# 19 – US Cash Box Top 100
# 24 – US Billboard Hot 100
Mainstreet
“Bob Seger” is an American rock singer and songwriter who was the prototype heart land rocker of the seventies. In his six decades plus career, he has sold more than 75 million records worldwide, establishing him as one of the world’s best-selling artists of all times. With numerous hit numbers like “Like a rock”, “Against the wind”, “Still the same”, “Night moves”, “Turn the page”, “Roll me away”, “Katmandu” etc to name a few, it is undoubtedly true that his contribution to the rock music has been phenomenal. Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004 and 2012 respectively, he retired from the music scene in 2018.
Originally from Michigan, he entered into the music world during early sixties and subsequently with his backing band “The Silver Bullet Band”, he ruled the rock arena over the following decades. Bob Seger broke the scene in 1976 with his hugely successful live album “Live Bullet”. Immediately after this live album, he substantiated his success with his first studio album with “Silver Bullet Band” -“Night Moves”. Achieving the sextuple platinum status, this blockbuster album helped Seger’s career sore into the rock scene like a hot bullet.
“Mainstreet” is one of the most successful singles from “Night Moves”. It may perhaps be Seger’s one of the most beautiful creations. A perfectly laid back, teenager fantasy ballad, this song has all the basic ingredients for a successful rock number. Love, fantasy, guitar, piano, and of course, Seger’s unmatchable raspy rough voice -The song just could not fail. Pete Carr’s incredible lead guitar, David Hood’s soft bass, Barry Beckett’s piano, all work in cohesion to produce this masterpiece.
Yes, “Bob Seger” represented the American heartland music of the seventies and ruled the rock world for more than half a century, but even today a trip down the “Mainstreet” can soothe your senses, evoke your teenage memories, maybe even make you yearn for the days past…………!!!
Happy listening!!!
Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com
Mainstreet
I remember standing on the corner at midnight
Trying to get my courage up
There was this long lovely dancer in a little club downtown
I loved to watch her do her stuff
Through the long lonely nights, she filled my sleep
Her body softly swaying to that smoky beat
Down on mainstreet, down on mainstreet
In the pool halls, the hustlers and the losers
I used to watch ’em through the glass
Well I’d stand outside at closing time
Just to watch her walk on past
Unlike all the other ladies, she looked so young and sweet
As she made her way alone, down that empty street
Down on mainstreet, down on mainstreet, ooh ooh ooh,
And sometimes even now, when I’m feeling lonely and beat
I drift back in time and I find my feet
Down on mainstreet, down on mainstreet
Down on mainstreet, down on mainstreet
Down on mainstreet, down on mainstreet
Lyrics link-https://genius.com/Bob-seger-mainstreet-lyrics
Video link- https://youtu.be/P8le-Es6oFE