"Never Enough" by Patty Smyth

Song#:  3038
Date:  02/28/1987
Debut:  91
Peak:  61
Weeks:  11
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  After finding success in 1984 with "The Warrior" (#7 Pop), Patty Smyth's band Scandal dissolved amid inner turmoil. When that happened, Smyth was already working towards the next Scandal album, so she took that work and made it the basis for a debut solo album instead. The LP, titled Never Enough, would be preceded by this title-track first single. The song was a hit at Rock reaching #4, but it couldn't gain an audience at Pop and it stalled in the bottom half of the chart. In turn, the album would only get to #66. It was a bit of a disappointment following the platinum level success of Scandal's The Warrior album.

ReduxReview:  Here is a case where the remake (see below) far outshines the original. The original was an okay mid-70s pop/rock track that seemed to have good bones, but it just didn't soar. It was like crossing very early Styx with Bob Dylan and trying to make it commercially appealing. Years later after the writers and producer refined their crafts, they were able to revisit this track and make it much more appealing. The new lyrics are better, the altered bridge keeps the track more modern, and the beefy production and new arrangement gave it a radio-ready rock edge. The track was a hit at Rock, but I'm not sure why it didn't catch on at Pop. I would have pegged this for at least a Top 20 showing. It was a strong song with solid vocals by Smyth. Actually, this would have been a good fit for Cyndi Lauper as well (who Chertoff had produced). It's a bit of a lost gem.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  This is an altered version of another song that was originally recorded by the band Baby Grand. It was written by band members David Kagan and Rob Hyman. The track appeared on the band's self-titled debut album in 1977. It was issued out as their first single, but it failed to chart. Baby Grand would put out one more album in 1978 before breaking up. Band members Rob Hyman and Eric Bazillian would then go on to greater success as member of The Hooters. They brought along with them their producer Rich Chertoff, who would later serve as the producer for Patty Smyth's debut album. Through Chertoff, Hyman and Bazillian came over to help on Smyth's album and it was suggested that she cover the Baby Grand tune "Never Enough." Chertoff, Hyman, Bazillian, and Smyth reworked the song and gave it new lyrics (all plus Kagan received songwriting credit). Smyth then recorded the song and it became her LP's title and lead single.

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