November 04, 2019

1986 - August: Huey Lewis and the News “Fore!”

36 minutes

Huey Lewis and keyboardist Sean Hopper started their career with a jazz-funk band called Clover in San Francisco in 1972. After spending some time in the UK and working with Thin Lizzy, Lewis joined with Hopper and members of another San Francisco band called Soundhole to become "Huey Lewis & The American Express." The name was changed to Huey Lewis & The News when Chrysalis records brought up concerns about trademark infringement from the credit card company.

Fore! is the fourth studio album from Huey Lewis and the News, and continued the band's string of hit singles from their third album called "Sports." Huey Lewis himself was a bit of a celebrity at this point, and made a cameo in "Back to the Future" where he judged Marty McFly's band as they auditioned with a hard rock version of Huey Lewis and the News' "The Power of Love."

We hope you enjoy this journey into the throwback do-wop rock of Huey Lewis and the News!

Jacob's Ladder

The first track on the album was written by Bruce and John Hornsby, and went to number 1 in 1987. The imagery contrasts getting through life one day at a time against the televangelist caricature.

Whole Lotta Lovin’

This is a deep cut off the album, about being on the road and away from the one you love. The lyrics are pretty funny.

Naturally

Bruce's favorite song on the album us another deep cut, this time a cappella. If you sang in groups of any type during the 80’s, you know this song.

Hip To Be Square

This is one of the hits off the album that represents the time very well. Lewis intended this to be ironic, not an anthem for squares around the world, but the band did have a clean cut, conservative image. They were a little older than many of the superstar groups and didn’t tend to trash every hotel they stayed in. Still, Lewis was the child of beatniks, and bristles a little with the idea that he relishes squareness. Members of the San Francisco 49ers are singing backup here, including Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

”Ruthless People” by Mick Jagger

This track was the theme to a comedy film with lots of stars and lots of plot twists, and the song was moving up the charts.

STAFF PICKS:

"Tuff Enuff" by The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Brian features the Texas based group with Stevie Ray's brother Jimmy Vaughan on guitar. This song peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Shake Me" by Cinderella

Wayne comments that the hair bands were making their mark on the rock scene at the time. This is Cinderella's first single off their album “Night Songs”

"Welcome to the Boomtown" by David & David

Rob's staff pick walks the alternative rock path. This storytelling song references the allure of riches and drugs - “all that money makes such a succulent sound.”

"The Hunter" by GTR

Bruce's staff pick features a one-album supergroup composed of guitarist Steve Hackett of Genesis and Steve Howe of Asia and Yes.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

"Bass Case" by Quiet Riot

We finish off this week's podcast with a rare bass solo piece.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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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