Wednesday, November 7, 2012

"I Was Looking for Someone to Love" by Leif Garrett

Song#:  0124
Date:  04/12/1980
Debut:  98
Peak:  78
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  Leif Garrett could be a poster child for the cautionary tale of teen idols out of control. In the 70s he was all over the place - TV, film, records, and on posters plastered on bedroom walls. He had already been acting for a few years before releasing his debut album in 1977. He placed a couple of cover tunes in the Top 20 ("Surfin' USA" and "Runaround Sue") and then contributed to the disco craze with his only Top 10 hit "I Was Made for Dancin'." But when the 80s arrived his days as a teen heartthrob were numbered and the music suffered as well. Soon he would have legal issues stemming from a car accident along with arrests for drug use. He continued to work in TV and film through the years and even did some music projects. His last major appearance on TV was (unfortunately) in 2010 when he appeared on that season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.

ReduxReview:  Teen idols who were actors to begin with made some of the crappiest music around. The publicity machine would capitalize on their popularity and push them into a studio to churn out albums for them. Typically, the artist had little control over these projects and once they did gain control (at least for the more legit artists), it was too late and their peak popularity had already passed. This was the case with Garrett, but he hung in a bit longer than most getting five albums out between '77 and '81. But a solid career in music wasn't meant to be and this standard MOR ballad didn't help his case.

ReduxRating:  3/10

Trivia:  Garrett's sister is Dawn Lyn, a famous child actor in her own right. She played the role of Dodie on the hit series "My Three Sons." The two have acted together on TV and in films such as all three of the "Walking Tall" movies.

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