Friday, January 29, 2021

"Endless Summer Nights" by Richard Marx

Top 10 Alert!
Song#:  3389
Date:  01/23/1988
Debut:  53
Peak:  2
Weeks:  21
Genre:  Soft Rock


Pop Bits:  Marx's self-titled debut album had already produced two #3 hits on the Pop chart, "Don't Mean Nothing" and "Should've Known Better." Could he make it three in a row? Marx gave it a try with this mid-tempo track and succeeded. In fact, it peaked a notch higher than the previous two hits. The song also became his first to make the AC Top 10 reaching #2 while getting to #41 at Rock. The three hits helped the album sell well and by February of '88 it would turn platinum.

ReduxReview:  Making this the third single was a smart move. It was a nice change of pace after two rock-leaning tracks. The tune was even more mainstream friendly with its pop-oriented arrangement augmented with a sax solo and nostalgic lyrics. It was one of those songs that was going to please a younger demographic that bought the first two singles (with MTV playing a part) and bring aboard a new set of adult fans. While I didn't like it as much as his previous hits, it was a well-crafted track that deserved its Top 10 placement.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  The b-side to this single was the album track "Have Mercy." Prior to the single being released, the song garnered airplay at Rock stations. In December of '87, the tune would reach #17 on the Rock chart. It is unclear whether Marx's label was looking for a double-sided hit by including "Have Mercy" on the back side of "Endless Summer Nights," but in the end, pop and AC stations stuck with the a-side and fans took it to #2 on each chart. Most likely, the track was pushed to rock stations to keep those fans interested in Marx while his more mainstream tracks with hit potential were hawked to pop radio.

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