Thursday, July 17, 2014

"Juke Box Hero" by Foreigner

Song#:  0919
Date:  02/13/1982
Debut:  73
Peak:  26
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Arena Rock



Pop Bits:  After their sultry "Waiting for a Girl Like You" hit #2 for 10 weeks, the band issued this third single from their mega-hit album "4." While it was a rock radio hit reaching #3 on the Mainstream Rock chart, the song mustered a lackluster Top 30 pop appearance. This was probably due to the fact that rock radio had been playing it since the summer before and by the time an actual single was released, the song had kind of run its course. No matter, as the song has lived on far past its chart days. It is the first 80s single I've encountered where it was not certified gold for vinyl sales, yet many years later received a gold certification for digital sales.

ReduxReview:  I loved this song back then. It told a story and totally rocked. However, I never bought the single. I think probably because it was played so much on the local radio station that I had heard it enough to not necessitate a purchase. But I obviously have it now and it sounds just as good now as it did then. A rock radio classic.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  This song was inspired by a real-life event. Arriving for a sound check at a show, many fans greeted them as they went in. It started raining and the fans basically all left with the exception of one guy. When the band then arrived for the show, the guy was still there waiting in the rain completely soaked. His tenacity sparked the group to take him in and give him a backstage tour and a glimpse into their pre-show life. The experience with the guy sparked Mick Jones and Lou Gramm to write this song.

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