July 31, 2023

1980 - March: Molly Hatchet ”Flirtin’ with Disaster”

38 minutes

Many folks know that the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd came out of Jacksonville, Florida. But they weren't the only big southern rock band to arise from that city. Molly Hatchet was another southern rock band from Jacksonville, also sporting three guitars. The band formed in 1971 and shares a lot of the inspiration and influence of Skynyrd. their best selling album was their second one, Flirtin' with Disaster, which peaked at number 19 and became a 2x platinum seller in the United States.

The name of the band comes from the legend of a Salem-era prostitute who supposedly mutilated and decapitated her clients. The band was not only famous for its music, but for its album cover art. Fantasy artist Frank Frazetta created the cover, depicting a Viking-like warrior with a winged helmet and battle axe. Personnel for Flirtin' with Disaster included Danny Joe Brown on vocals, guitarists Dave Hlubek, Steve Holland, and Duane Roland, Banner Thomas on bass, and Bruce Crump on drums.

While Flirtin' with Disaster is the band's most successful album, they also found considerable success with the eponymous debut album released prior to Flirtin' and the third album, “Beatin' the Odds,” released with new front man Jimmy Farrar who replaced Danny Joe Brown who left for a number of reasons including diabetes. The band would not achieve similar success with its future albums, though Brown would return to the band by their fifth album. Molly Hatchet remained a popular touring band, though today all the original members have died.

Friend of the show Craig Dale joins us as Wayne brings us this Southern rock classic for the podcast.

Let the Good Times Roll

While this may be considered a deeper cut, the track which closes out the album did receive significant airplay on rock stations when the album came out. “Give me wine, women, whiskey and rock 'n' roll and let me sleep my days away.”

Flirtin' with Disaster

This is the timeless classic from the album, the title track, and the opening song for side two. Although this is considered their breakout hit and highest charting, it only went to number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has been used in a number of films and television shows including Suspect Zero, Straw Dogs, My Name is Earl, and King of the Hill.

Good Rockin'

This deep cut is one in which all band members share writing credits. It was not released as a single but did appear as a B-side to their second single, “It's All Over Now.” It is simply a straightforward rock party song - “So if you're feeling good, if you feel alright we're going to have a rock 'n' roll time tonight.”

Whiskey Man

The leading track from the album is a well-known Molly Hatchet song, though it failed to chart. It is an anti-drinking song in which the lyrics discuss the hazards of alcohol. “You start to get straight, then you get weak, can't you see you're on a losing streak?”

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Coal Miner's Daughter by Loretta Lynn (from the motion picture “Coal Miner's Daughter”)

Sissy Spacek won the Academy Award for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn in this biographical drama.

STAFF PICKS:

Back On My Feet Again by The Babys

Bruce brings us the number 33 hit by John Waite and the Babys - their fourth and final top 40 hit. This is off their album “Union Jacks.” They opened for Journey on tour, and their keyboardist, Jonathan Cain, would wind up joining Journey when the Babys broke up.

What I Like About You by The Romantics

Rob presents a party song that got a lot of airplay with a 50's/60's feel. It was written in 1979 and it came out on the debut album from the Romantics. The lead singer, Wally Palmar, is the drummer for the group. The song only made it to number 49 on the US charts, but its garage band feel and party credentials have given it a timeless quality that fares better the longer it is around.

Magic by Olivia Newton John

Lynch tests Wayne's patience with this number 1 hit from Australia's own Olivia Newton John. It was recorded for the soundtrack to the 1980 musical fantasy film “Xanadu” and was released as its lead single. The song was written by John Farrar who wrote a number of Olivia Newton John's hits.

Goodbye Blue Sky by Pink Floyd

Friend of the show Craig Dale brings us a haunting tune from the Pink Floyd album “The Wall.” This track reveals how the horror of war and the blitz formed a brink in the wall of isolation the protagonist forms in his descent into madness. The child speaking at the front of the song is actually band member Roger Waters' son, Harry.

Rockin' Heaven Down by Heart

Wayne closes out this week's podcast with his favorite Heart song from the album “Bebe Le Strange.” The track features Nancy Wilson starting the song on a 12-string electric guitar, and Nancy Wilson's fierce vocals. “Hoot into the night, that look from eye to eye, a flash gets passed around, a band of wild angels rockin' heaven down.”

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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

4.9

4747 ratings