For the love of rock
Vol V, Issue 8 – For shame (01 Aug 2020)
www.intheloveofrock.com
Name of song– For shame
Band – Kix
Writer– Donnie Purnell
Release year– 1983
Album – Cool Kids
For shame
When one talks about the glam rock era of the eighties, many bands come ringing our mind. Unfortunately, “Kix” is not one of them! Actually, they deserve much more than what they have got. A full on hard rock band with amazingly powerful rock numbers which really rocked, “Kix” definitely is worth more than just another rock band of the eighties. Although their power ballad “Don’t close your eyes” is the most well known record, they definitely have numerous wonderful numbers to their credit. Songs like “Tears down the walls”, “The itch”, “Cold shower”, “Midnight dynamite”, “The kid”, “Heartache” and others have made them unforgettable hard rock band of the eighties. Despite various line up changes, they are still around with occasional performances. Overall, their contribution to eighties rock definitely cannot be undermined.
Originally calling themselves “Shooze”, and then “The Generators”, “Kix” was formed in Maryland, USA in 1977. Fronted by Steve Whiteman (Vocals), Ronnie Younkins (Guitars), Brian Forsythe (Guitars), Donnie Purnell (Bass) and Jimmy Chalfant (Drums), they started as cover band and gained local popularity. They were idolized by rock critics, their albums rocked like a party, but they could never reach the success of their contemporary metal bands of the era. Right from their debut album “Kix”, all their subsequent albums were substantially much impressive than most of the average hard rock albums of the era. It was rumored that Poison’s Bret Michaels copied Steve Whiteman’s stage acts!
“Cool Kids” was their second album, released in 1983. This album was more commercial than their debut album and helped them establish as arena rockstars. Although this album is not their most successful one, it did have noteworthy numbers. When we consider a prototype acoustic ballad from a power metal band, “For shame” undoubtedly should be chosen as one.
Penned by the creative mastermind Donnie Purnell, “For shame” is one amazingly powerful acoustic ballad from their closet. Whiteman’s passionate voice, Purnell’s subtly strong bass, soft drums by Jimmy and Brian’s guitars, all work in cohesion to make this ballad mesmerizing. Although it is all acoustic, the sound is quite impessive and makes the acoustic instruments more pronounced. Endowed with clearly catchy tune, stimulating guitar plucks, bewitching acoustic solo, and above all, very strong vocals, this ballad has the power to win over any listener anytime, and forever.
Yes, there is no doubt that songs like “Don’t close your eyes”, “Tears down the walls” are the more popular ballads from “Kix”, but, as a fan, it is definitely a shame to be unable to cherish this wonderfully acoustic ballad “For shame”!!!!
Happy listening!!!
Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com
For shame
For shame it had to be like that
For shame it had to be like that
Couldn’t leave the boy uninvited
Could of had you so excited
For shame it had to be like that
For shame it had to be like that
Tonight I’m gonna love you just the same
Oh yeah
Tonight I’m gonna love you ’til the end
For shame it had to stop like that
For shame it had to stop like that
Could of had you for all last summer
Found my keys but lost your number
For shame it had to stop like that
For shame it had to stop like that
Tonight I’m gonna love you just the same
Oh yeah, tonight I’m gonna love you ’til the end
Climbed your window but I fell behind it
Could of had you so excited
For shame it had to be like that
For shame it had to be like that
Tonight I’m gonna love you just the same
Oh yeah
Tonight I’m gonna love you ’til the end
For shame
Lyrics link-https://genius.com/Kix-for-shame-lyrics
Video link- https://youtu.be/X7mZ91iTMqw