Thursday, August 17, 2017

"Thief of Hearts" by Melissa Manchester

Song#:  2134
Date:  11/24/1984
Debut:  88
Peak:  86
Weeks:  6
Genre:  Synthpop, Soundtrack



Pop Bits:  After Manchester's Emergency album failed to produce a significant hit, it was decided that she part ways with her label Arista. She would go on to sign with MCA, but before that, Manchester would lend her vocals to a soundtrack song. Working with Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey, Manchester would co-write the theme song to the film Thief of Hearts. The tune would be pushed out as a single and it did a little business at AC getting to #18. However, it was pretty much ignored at Pop and the song would disappear after a few weeks.

ReduxReview:  This is just bland, paint-by-the-numbers Europop that never really gets off the ground. There is nothing here that makes it stand out above other chart fare. Even though Manchester has a vested interest in the song being a co-writer, she doesn't necessarily sound thrilled to be doing this. There is little of her personality showing through all the tinkling synths. It's another disappointment from Manchester after she was pushed down the synthpop road.

ReduxRating:  3/10

Trivia:  The romantic thriller Thief of Hearts was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson, the same team that issued the unexpected hit Flashdance. Starring Steven Bauer and Barbara Williams the producers were most likely hoping for some solid box office action along with a successful soundtrack. That didn't happen. Reviews were tepid and the folks that flocked to Flashdance didn't come on board. The film flopped and the soundtrack was a dud. Although Giorgio Moroder handled this song, the balance of the soundtrack was mainly overseen by Harold Faltermeyer. Despite Moroder's limited contribution, he still got a Razzie nod for Worst Musical Score. However, it was in combination with his soundtrack to the reissue of Metropolis.

_________________________________________________________________________________

No comments:

Post a Comment