Saturday, January 2, 2016

"War Games" by Crosby, Stills & Nash

Song#:  1508
Date:  06/25/1983
Debut:  70
Peak:  45
Weeks:  9
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Following the success of their comeback album Daylight Again, the trio issued the mostly live album Allies. The majority of the album consisted of concert tracks from their 1977 and 1982 tours. It was also front loaded with two new songs, "Raise a Voice" and "War Games." The latter was chosen as a single and issued to promote the album. It was able to get up near the Top 40, but stopped just shy of that mark. The album did about the same business peaking at #43.

ReduxReview:  This urgent rock tune has a great sound, but it's lacking something that most pop songs need to conquer the chart - a solid chorus. One kind of exists, but it seems more like an extension of the verse rather that something you can sink your ears into.  Plus, this synth-heavy rock tune was a bit unusual for CSN who are more known for their folk-rock harmonies. I like the song, but it's certainly not a good single.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  This song was originally written for the 1983 Matthew Broderick film of the same name. It was meant to both promote the film and CSN's new album. Everything seemed to be going fine with the song being used in theatrical trailers for the movie along with an MTV video that included scenes from the film. But then at the last minute, issues arose and the song was pulled from the film and the subsequent soundtrack. CSN forged ahead with the single's release, but it wasn't a major hit. It might have done better had it been included in the film, which ended up being a box office smash.

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