[Too Many Words] -- Welcome to the very first flashback of the new year! As we've just passed through the extended holiday season (filled with greeting cards, slogans, etc.) only to be "rewarded" with another lengthy campaign season, I think a rumination on the excess of words is an appropriate theme for this flashback. As such, I will not say much else about it except: Read and hear more after the break.
Flashback #1: "What are words for when no one listens any more."
In 1982, Missing Persons released their debut album, Spring Session M. It went gold and peaked at #17 on the Pop Albums chart. Our first flashback is the second single from this Missing Persons release: "Words." It reached #60 and #42 on the Mainstream Rock and Pop Singles charts respectively. The video features some unusual and new (for '82) effects, making it a popular option on MTV. The song itself asks a perennial question which, to date, does not have a satisfactory answer.
Flashback #2: "Say you will, say you won't make up your mind tonight."
On first blush, our next flashback may not appear to be an appropriate candidate for this week's theme. "Word" does not appear in its title, nor in the title of its album, Inside Information (1987), Foreigner's sixth studio release. But when you go through the story told in the lyrics, you can tell that many words are being spoken but no real understanding is happening between the people involved. That makes Say You Will a perfect entry for this week. This song reached #1 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, but Foreigner would crack the top ten only once more after this song disappeared from rotation.
Flashback #3: "Youre talking, it all sounds fair | You promise your love, how much you care."
Our final flashback today is the first Top 40 single from the American new wave band, Berlin. It took Berlin three albums to crack the Billboard Hot 100's upper echelon of hits, but the first single off Love Life (1984) took off. This was likely due to increasing interest in the band after hits like "Sex (I'm A...)" and "The Metro." But even without previous songs to pave the way, "No More Words" rushes out of the speakers as though it were on fire. This song's heat is surpassed only by the intensity of the argument it chronicles. The protagonist here is fed up with words that obviously have not been backed up by appropriate action.
Once again, I remind you that the rule of three applies when doing Flashbacks. As I've made my three offerings, that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the archives. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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