Vol II, Issue 14 – I just want to make love to you (15 Aug 2017)
Name of song– I just want to make love to you
Band- Foghat
Album- Foghat
Writer– Willie Dixon
Release year– 1972
Peak chart positions-
# 83 – US Billboard Hot 100 (1972)
# 33 – US Billboard Hot 100 (1977) (Live version)
Similar artists– Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Ted Nugent, Bad Company, Molly Hatchet, Grand Funk
I just want to make love to you
Reviewers- Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
“Foghat” may not be a common household name in the rock enthusiast’s store. However, US based British hard rock blues band had an immense influence upon the coming generations of rock musicians. Formed in 1971 after the break-up of blues band “Savoy Brown”, it included the quartet – Dave Peverett (Vocals/guitars), Rod Price (Guitars), Tony Stevens (Bass) and Roger Earl (Drums). “Foghat” had a series of best-selling albums throughout the seventies, with numerous sell-out concerts across the US and several gold or platinum albums.
Chart records – Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart – 2 (1990)
Billboard Hot 100 – 64 (1990)
Similar artists – Yes, King Crimson, ELP, Magnum, Toto, Cinderella
Days like these
Reviewers-Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
Asia, perhaps the dream team combination from the offshoot members from various progressive rock bands of the seventies like Yes, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake And Palmer, was formed in Britain in 1981. Their debut album ‘Asia’ was smash hit all over the world in 1982, but subsequent albums could not live up to the expectations of the first one. But interestingly, despite various line-up changes, they are still surviving today.
‘Days like these’ is the number from their half studio and half greatest hits fourth album of 1990. This was the only song from the album whose song writing was credited to Steve Jones. Asia have many great songs to their credits like ‘Heat of the moment’, ‘Don’t cry’, ‘Only time will tell’, ‘Wildest dreams’, ‘Sole survivor’, etc however; ‘Days like these’ is a prototype stadium anthem rock number for which the band has always been famous for.
The song opens up with a heavy thundering sound of drums, guitars and keyboards, all taking off at once and then follows John Wetton’s manly voice. After that, the song has no return. The tempo, the built up of the song and the harmonious rock blends well till the end. Steve Lukather’s short and sweet solo is another mind-blowing masterpiece part of the song. This is the song about us all-it chants about the confidence which we require in every step of life. The struggle to carry on, the pains we suffer, the hardships we face, the challenges we handle, all make us stronger as we go on. It is a very optimistic song which instills into us the courage to carry on and never give up.
Although this song may not be the song for which Asia is best known for, it is definitely one of the best songs which exactly suits the overall theme of rock music. Definitely, this is a song which gives courage, hope and confidence in an extremely rocky manner to all of us.
One of the American hard rock bands of the eighties, L.A. Guns represents a typical glam metal scene of the decade. They had few hits, but they could never be ignored; neither as a band nor as the original band eventually leading to be a part of formation of Guns ‘N’ Roses! (‘Hollywood Rose’ and ‘L.A. Guns’)
Chart records- US Billboard Album Rock Tracks-1
US Billboard Adult Contemporary Tracks-2
US Billboard Hot 100-8
Canadian RPM Top Singles-3
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary-3
UK Singles Chart-48
Special mention- Grammy Awards-Best Rock Male Vocalist-1989
MTV Video Music Award-Best Male Video-1990
Similar artists- Steve Winwood/Bryan Adams/Steve Miller/Bruce Springsteen/Sting/Christopher Cross/Glenn Frey
Resources- Wikipedia.org and allmusic.com
The end of the innocence
Reviewers-Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
No doubt, one of the best creations of former Eagles front-man, Don Henley, ‘The end of the innocence’ is a song which would stay in our hearts forever. The title track of his third album post Eagles disbandment, co-written with Bruce Hornsby, is a soothing song with a tinge of melodious pop rock with deep sentimental touch.
