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Monday, July 8, 2019

"Wrap It Up" by The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Song#:  2823
Date:  08/09/1986
Debut:  86
Peak:  50
Weeks:  10
Genre:  Blues-Rock



Pop Bits:  This Texas blues band scored a left-field hit with "Tuff Enuff," a track from their fifth album of the same name. The tune would make it to #10 at Pop while reaching #4 at Rock. For a follow-up, this next song was selected. Again, it would do well at Rock reaching the Top 10 at #8. However, at Pop it didn't catch on as well and the single stopped at the halfway point. The two songs helped the band's album reach #13 and it would eventually go platinum.

ReduxReview:  I thought this was a good follow-up to "Tuff Enuff." The old soul tune (see below) had never really been a significant hit so it would have been fresh to a lot of listeners. I was familiar with it due to a Eurythmics cover, so I liked the song. The Thunderbirds do a good version and although it's not quite as sleek as their ZZ Top-ish produced first hit, I thought the tune might crack the Top 40. Rock radio picked up on it, but it seems pop listeners weren't as into it. I thought it was just as good as "Tuff Enuff."

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  This is a remake of a song originally recorded by the soul duo Sam & Dave in 1968. The song was used as the b-side to their #9 Pop/#4 R&B hit "I Thank You." It also appeared on their album of the same name. While it would not chart on its own, it did become a popular song within the duo's catalog. It was written by Dave Porter and Isaac Hayes. Other artists recorded the tune and the first chart appearance for it came in 1970 when Archie Bell & the Drells took it to #33 R&B and #93 Pop. The Fabulous Thunderbirds would be the only other artist to reach the Pop chart with the song. Although it would not be released as a single, Eurythmics did a synthpop version of the song for their breakthrough album, 1983's Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).

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