November 09, 2020

1981 - June: Billy Squier ”Don’t Say No”

38 minutes

This second studio album is the one that would put Billy Squier at the top of the arena rock world in 1981. Don't Say No would produce Squier's first breakthrough single, “The Stroke,” a critique of the music industry, and the album would continue to contribute singles and AOR hits as it remained on the Billboard album charts for over 2 years.

Billy Squier got his start in the Boston music scene in the late 60's, playing in locally successful groups through the 70's, and releasing a moderately successful solo album in the spring of 1980. Squier approached Brian May of Queen about producing his second album, but May had scheduling conflicts that kept him from working with Squier. However, Brian May suggested Squier work with Reinhold Mack who had produced “The Game” for Queen. Billy Squier would later continue his connection with Queen, opening for the band during their 1982 tour.

Billy Squier wrote his own songs and was a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, piano, and percussion.

Squier left the music scene in the early 90's with the advent of grunge, but he often tours with Ringo Star as a part of his All Star Band. He also does one-off concerts for charity, but spends much of his time in New York City with his wife.

Are you ready for some early 80's arena rock? Don't Say No!

In the Dark

This song was the second single from the album, and the lead song for the album. Some think that this song is about lovers keeping their cheating relationships secret. This album is considered to bridge the hard rock sounds of the 70's with heavy metal of the 80's. It has a Zeppelinesque feel to it.

Don't Say No

The title track is the last song on the album, and a deeper cut that was never released as a single. It has an interesting “fade in” effect to kick it off.

My Kind of Lover

While this third single narrowly missed the top 40 (it made it to number 45), it was heavily played at the time. It has a pop sentiment to it, but is a pretty straightforward song about sex and chasing a woman.

Lonely Is the Night

Surprisingly, this song was not released as a single, and did not make Squier's greatest hits album. It's about a guy watching streetwalkers. It was the B-side of “In the Dark,” and received heavy air play on rock radio.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

The theme to “Raiders of the Lost Ark”

This classic adventure film starring Harrison Ford as Dr. Indiana Jones made its debut in the summer of 1981. This iconic tune is instantly recognizable today.

STAFF PICKS:

I Missed Again by Phil Collins

Rob's staff pick is from “Face Value,” Phil Collins' debut solo album. The original name of the song was "I miss you, babe," but the band convinced him to change the name and lighten it up. "Would you say if I was wasting my time or did I miss again? ...I think I missed again."

All Those Years Ago by George Harrison

This tribute to John Lennon was originally intended as a song for Ringo Starr, but George Harrison brought it back to himself after the death of Lennon the previous winter. Brian brings us his favorite Beatle. Ringo, John and Linda McCartney played on this song, the first time they all appeared on a song together since 1970.

Snowblind by Styx

Bruce's staff pick features baritone James Young and tenor Tommy Shaw trading lead singer duties in this song about the dangers of cocaine. It also created a stir when some groups insisted that there were backward masking messages from the devil embedded in the track. This upset the band, who would make an entire concept album about censorship with their next effort, “Kilroy Was Here.”

Nether Street by Bodast

Wayne finishes us off with a song recorded by a prog rock group that broke up in 1969 when guitarist Steve Howe joined Yes. You'll recognize the riff because it is embedded in Yes's “Starship Trooper.” The album was not released until June 1981.

LAUGH TRACK:

The Spanish Inquisition by Mel Brooks

The comedy “History of the World, Part I” by Mel Brooks brought us one of the most politically incorrect musical numbers ever penned. "The Inquisition! What a show!"

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

4.9

4747 ratings