Top 10 From 1980 (No. 8) - Ambrosia
4 Comments Ryan Welton on Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 10:57 PM.
When one discusses the 1980s, few groups elicit such polarizing opinions like Ambrosia.
Although they were actually a versatile rock band -- yes, I said rock -- this band comprised of L.A. studio musicians is pretty much only known for their smooth, slick pop tunes, which reflected the style of lead singer David Pack, who has one of the best pop voices in history and who now plays primarily smooth jazz music.
Ambrosia reminds me a lot of Styx in a sense. Dennis DeYoung clearly wanted to turn his band into an outlet for his theatrical sensibilities. Likewise, Ambrosia took on Pack's style, although I'm not well enough versed in the group to know if it was pronounced in them as it was in Styx.
Regardless, as part of my Top 10 for the year 1980, I chose to highlight a song that Quincy Jones called one of the greatest pop songs of all time: "Biggest Part of Me." And when Q speaks, I listen.
Even if I didn't revere Quincy Jones' work, I would absolutely believe this to be one of the best-crafted pop songs ever. It's substantive yet light, and it's a song that knows no cultural boundaries. It's been covered by many, including the great Gospel a capella group, Take 6.
However, if I can take a critical look at the group here and of this entire era of music, the 1980s were particularly guilty of putting out music from what I'd call "man bands," which were groups comprised of studio musicians and whose music was characterized mostly by production.
Ambrosia and Toto are the best examples.
However, what Toto lacks in terms of a signature song that can stand the test of time, Ambrosia has in "Biggest Part of Me." Few songs from the 1980s can be categorized as standards, but this is most certainly one of them.
And as a bonus video, I've picked out an obscure Ambrosia video from 1982, "How Can You Love Me," which features piano work from one of pop music's greatest players. Although he was never officially a member that I know of, see if you can pick him out.
Lastly, as a footnote, because I dedicated a blog entry to the work of Jack Wagner, which elicited groans, pain and some severe vomiting (but not by me), I need to note that music fans have David Pack to thank for his hit, "All I Need."
No. 8 for 1980: "Biggest Part Of Me," by Ambrosia.
Bonus video: "How Can You Love Me," by Ambrosia.
Just in case anyone wonders, there were a few decent songs released in 1980 :
"Ace of Spades" - Motörhead
“And the Cradle Will Rock..." - Van Halen
“Another Nail In My Heart" - Squeeze
"Crazy Train" - Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard of Oz
"Don't Do Me Like That" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
"Don't Stand So Close to Me" - The Police
"Fashion" - David Bowie
"Hey Nineteen" - Steely Dan
"Hungry Heart" - Bruce Springsteen
"I Wanna Be Sedated" - The Ramones
"Living After Midnight" - Judas Priest
"People Who Died" - The Jim Carroll Band
"You Shook Me All Night Long" - AC/DC
Actually, Tim, only one of these qualifies per the criteria I set -- that the song had to be one of the Top 100 for 1980, according to Billboard's Year-End charts.
That song is "Don't Do Me Like That," which did not make my 10. BUT, Tom Petty does make an appearance in this list.
But, Motorhead? C'mon, man. They were peripheral noise at best. That's a song one listens to bombed at 3 a.m., not with any seriousness.
The Van Halen and Squeeze tunes were not chart hits.
"Crazy Train" is an AOR classic, but again, not a big chart hit.
"Hey Nineteen" and "Don't Stand So Close To Me" were both big hits ... but in 1981. "Gaucho" didn't come out until Nov. 1980, and the music world's year is November to November -- for awards, charts, sales, etc. "Hey Nineteen" charted at No. 72 for 1981.
"People Who Died," "Fashion," etc. are far too obscure.
"Hungry Heart" wasn't big enough of a hit in 1980, and while I like Bruce, I don't consider AC/DC great music. They're a good band, and it's cool to crank them up over some beers, but musically??? Eh, average to below average.
Please notice that I was intentionally stepping outside your criteria. I just wanted poor innocent bystanders to be aware that there was better music in 1980, even though it might not have charted.
Well, I just figured you hadn't read the criteria, and although it's as arbitrary as including everything from a certain year, it really is an examination of the pop culture influence of each song.
Admittedly, the George Benson pick has no pop culture value. However, the Rupert Holmes pick is steeped in the kitsch that is the 1980s -- and the Ambrosia tune truly has become a pop standard, meaning that singers and groups of all styles now cover it. So, while it might be fun to listen to "Have A Drink On Me" or "Rock-a-Rolla" after several beers -- and it is -- more than likely, it's the songs that charted high in America that have made the greatest pop culture impact.
I will say this: "Hey Nineteen" is a sure thing to be in my 1981 list, and The Police will likely be there, too. However, if I were to include a song by AC/DC, and I don't think any from the 1980s would even qualify by chart standards, it would be "Thunderstruck," which is played at every sports arena around the country.