June 21, 2021

1976 - November: Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band “Night Moves”

35 minutes

If Bob Seger sounds like he's experienced it all on his breakout album Night Moves, well, he kind of has. Seger got his start in the music industry in 1961, and this album is his ninth studio album, though the first to credit the Silver Bullet Band on the album cover. Many of the songs reflect on earlier times, successes and failures of the past, with a wistfulness.

Detroit native Robert Clark (aka Bob) Seger's music has been described as roots rock and heartland rock, and there are similarities between the blue collar sensibilities of Seger's music and others like Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp. Segar had his first hit back in 1968 with "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man," but didn't follow up with hit singles afterwards. He turned to working with backing bands, touring with Eric Clapton and joining with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (who would play on four of the nine songs on Night Moves). After forming the Silver Bullet Band in 1974 Segar began seeing some interest with singles like "Katmandu" and the release of the album "Live Bullet" just prior to Night Moves. However, Night Moves was the one that put him over the top where he would remain for the rest of the 70's and 80's.

Many of the songs have a theme of remembering the past, including the title track.

Seger completed his "farewell tour" in 2019. However, we still have an incredible catalogue of music available thanks to Bob Segar. We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane.

Night Moves

Seger says his title track was inspired after watching the 1973 film, “American Graffiti,” and he realized HE had a story to tell about growing up, and an Italian girlfriend he had one summer. “Ain't it strange how the night moves?” The change in seasons forms a metaphor for growing up - being young in the summertime, and looking back "with autumn closin' in."

Rock and Roll Never Forgets

“So you’re a little bit older and a lot less bolder than you used to be…” Seger wrote this at the ripe old age of 31! While only making it to number 41, this tribute to Rock & Roll and Chuck Berry has taken on a timelessness as a classic rock song.

Sunburst

We felt that the intro to this beautiful deep track has a similar sound and feel to “Dear Prudence” from the Beatles. There are two clear movements in the music from soft, to rocking, to soft again. The song discusses an introverted performer on the stage, comparing him to entertainment in the Roman Colosseum.

Main Street

The second single from the album, Seger is again sharing a peek into his life growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Anne Street was right off Main Street, and there was the pool hall and dancing girls with R&B bands playing on the weekends.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Theme from the television series “The Muppet Show”)

This variety show would draw in a number of A-list celebrities for an evening of entertainment with Kermit, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppets.

STAFF PICKS:

Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright) by Rod Stewart

Brian features a seduction song from Rod Stewart, and it was actually banned by the BBC for the line "spread your wings and let me come inside." Public demand eventually caused the ban to be lifted, and the song went to number 1 on both the UK and the US shortly thereafter.

Jeans On by David Dundas

Wayne brings us a song by British musician and actor David Dundas. It was first featured as a television advertising jingle for Brutus Jeans, and the popularity of the commercial led to the recording of "Jeans On" as a full length song. "It's the weekend, and I know that you're free so pull on your jeans and come on out with me."

Nights Are Forever Without You by England Dan and John Ford Coley

Bruce's staff pick is from Texas duo Dan Wayland (aka England Dan) Seals and John Edward (aka John Ford) Coley. They originally had a hit with "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight," which was written by Parker McGee who also wrote "Nights Are Forever Without You." Dan Seals would go on to a country career in the 1980's, scoring 11 number one country hits including "Meet Me In Montana."

Blinded By The Light by Manfred Mann's Earth Band

Rob brings us this hit originally written by Bruce Springsteen, but finding fame through Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. Manfred Mann changed the lyrics slightly, and Springsteen has joked about confusion over the lyrics, claiming that “it was not until Manfred Mann rewrote the song to be about a feminine hygiene product that it became popular.” This version hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Theme to the motion picture Carrie

Nothing like finishing out the podcast on a scary note! The motion picture "Carrie" was released in November 1976.

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

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