Saturday, September 24, 2016

"Girls" by Dwight Twilley

Song#:  1798
Date:  02/18/1984
Debut:  61
Peak:  16
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Twilley certainly traveled the rough road in the music business. Initially, he and friend Phil Seymour started a band called Oister in the late 60s. After trying their luck in Nashville, the pair moved to L.A. and got signed to Shelter Records where the label changed their name to the Dwight Twilley Band. Initially they had some success when their single "I'm on Fire" made it to #16 in 1975. But then a slew of label issues, missed opportunities, and a couple lackluster albums killed any momentum they had garnered. Seymour left the band later in '77 and Twilley moved on to a solo career. Again, two LPs for two different labels failed, but his third effort, Jungle, would provide a second career opportunity for Twilley when this song would hit #2 at Rock. It got picked up by Pop and became his second single to reach #16. Once again, the stars didn't fully align and it would take two years and another label switch before he could follow up the album. By that time, the glow from this song faded and the new album tanked. Twilley continued to record and tour over the years, but this single would prove to be his last significant chart entry.

ReduxReview:  This is a solid rock song, but for some reason it doesn't stick in my brain. I know I heard this back in the day several times, but I just couldn't remember it. Then, after listening to it a few times now, I still had a hard time recalling it afterwards. I don't really know why. I guess it just doesn't make an impression on me even though I do think it is a good rock tune.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) When Twilley was signed to Shelter, he became good friends with a labelmate that was just starting out as well, Tom Petty. Although Petty left Shelter after two well-received albums, he and Twilley remained friends and occasionally worked together. Petty makes an appearance on this single supplying vocals.  2) Twilley's musical partner, Phil Seymour, would go on to a solo career as well. He was able to score one Pop chart hit in 1981 with "Precious to Me."

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2 comments:

  1. I like that one note plinking away on the piano during the chorus. And (this MAY have helped me to get to like this song) I had a copy of this video in the 80's, with a surprising amount of nudity: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Hot-Rock-Tubes/dp/B000BKPHKM

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