Solidified my drumming playing along to this album. Bobby Chouinard was as solid as they came, including the most sample drum beat (although the song The Big Beat is not on this album, it has been sampled in over 300 songs). Along with the basic beats, it has ample fills , including fantastic stuff in Lonely is the Night.
Billy has been quoted as saying that he felt he was more Stones sounding than the Zep comparison which became more evident on Emotions in Motion.
Anyway, Dont say no is straight on rock n roll, no muss no fuss and an absolute favorite.
Thanks! Great point on his backing band. They don't get enough credit. Some stellar songs on his first album, The Tale of the Tape, along with The Big Beat. I like You Should Be High Love, Like I'm Lovin' You and Rich Kid from that record.
MTV jump-started the career of dozens, if not hundreds, of musicians in the 1980s. Unfortunately for Billy Squier, it ended his. The killing blow was stuck by Billy's video for his 1984 hit "Rock Me Tonite". It can best be described a series of disastrous decisions resulting in what many consider to be among the worst, if not the actual worst, videos of all time. The guys alluded to it above, so I thought I'd elaborate for those who didn't live through the MTV era. Google it if you want, but don't say I didn't warn you.
Billy heeded Bon Jovi's advice (from Mitch's take above) too late as the damage was done years before from said video by throwing some hot chicks into his Don't Say You Love me video in 1989
Hell yes. It ROCKS! Emotions in Motion was a decent successor, as well. CJ Kaplan's right on about him losing his way with the fuzzy, pink, poppy (but MTV friendly) "Rock Me Tonite" video.
Alright, so I love that you guys do this. It’s so fun to follow. But this one hit home in a weird way. Because once upon a time, when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, when I was first working in Boston, I was sent by a friend of mine to get my haircut at a long-defunct place on Newbury Street called Harrington’s. Ask for Christine, he said. Which I did. Christine, I discovered, was MTV, permanently tongue-tieingly gorgeous...and was, I learned, Billy Squires’ girlfriend. Got my hair cut, left a big tip...and never went back. Couldn’t handle it.
That's a great story, Jay! I feel like those in those ancient times there was always a chance you could run into Boston rock royalty (or adjacent royalty). Like the time I saw Ric Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova at the Chestnut Hill Mall. Or the time my friend randomly had a beer with Peter Wolf. Once upon a time, those things actually happened.
CJ, remember that fancy barber shop on Newbury St. where the overly-flirty stylist asked what I wanted to do with my bangs and we both looked at my giant, bald forehead, looked at each other, and started laughing like Hyenas? I wonder if that was Christine? Either way, she was definitely giving me the stroke.
Billy Squier was a master at producing anthemic rock songs. Don’t Say No had some massive rock hits that are still played often on air waves today. Straight forward no frills guitar oriented rock and roll that never gets old. It’s unfortunate a couple years later the incredibly cringe worthy Rock Me Tonight video became both an MTV staple and most certainly the death nail to Billy Squier’s career. I guess being filmed while dancing around your bedroom in tights and a loose fitting pink tank top will do that. Still Billy Squier was a rocker at heart and that video shouldn’t define him.
Nicely done guys. Just wanted to throw out there that this inspired me to pick up a copy. I remember my older brothers cranking this a lot when I was a kid, and I’ve always enjoyed the hits on ZLX, but for whatever reason I have never owned this one myself...until now. Finally bought it last week and have been enjoying spinning it up ever since. Keep up the killer series. Cheers!
Thanks Dave! Glad you're enjoying the series. Like I said, Billy Squier will always hold a special place in my rock 'n roll heart. It was the first loud music I really loved (probably for your brothers too) and it really set the tone for everything else that followed for me. Enjoy the album and I hope you're doing well!
Solidified my drumming playing along to this album. Bobby Chouinard was as solid as they came, including the most sample drum beat (although the song The Big Beat is not on this album, it has been sampled in over 300 songs). Along with the basic beats, it has ample fills , including fantastic stuff in Lonely is the Night.
Billy has been quoted as saying that he felt he was more Stones sounding than the Zep comparison which became more evident on Emotions in Motion.
Anyway, Dont say no is straight on rock n roll, no muss no fuss and an absolute favorite.
Great pick guys!
Thanks! Great point on his backing band. They don't get enough credit. Some stellar songs on his first album, The Tale of the Tape, along with The Big Beat. I like You Should Be High Love, Like I'm Lovin' You and Rich Kid from that record.
I never got past you should be high love from tale of the tape, only discovering it after Dont say no came out.
MTV jump-started the career of dozens, if not hundreds, of musicians in the 1980s. Unfortunately for Billy Squier, it ended his. The killing blow was stuck by Billy's video for his 1984 hit "Rock Me Tonite". It can best be described a series of disastrous decisions resulting in what many consider to be among the worst, if not the actual worst, videos of all time. The guys alluded to it above, so I thought I'd elaborate for those who didn't live through the MTV era. Google it if you want, but don't say I didn't warn you.
Indeed, video killed this radio star.
Billy heeded Bon Jovi's advice (from Mitch's take above) too late as the damage was done years before from said video by throwing some hot chicks into his Don't Say You Love me video in 1989
Hell yes. It ROCKS! Emotions in Motion was a decent successor, as well. CJ Kaplan's right on about him losing his way with the fuzzy, pink, poppy (but MTV friendly) "Rock Me Tonite" video.
Alright, so I love that you guys do this. It’s so fun to follow. But this one hit home in a weird way. Because once upon a time, when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, when I was first working in Boston, I was sent by a friend of mine to get my haircut at a long-defunct place on Newbury Street called Harrington’s. Ask for Christine, he said. Which I did. Christine, I discovered, was MTV, permanently tongue-tieingly gorgeous...and was, I learned, Billy Squires’ girlfriend. Got my hair cut, left a big tip...and never went back. Couldn’t handle it.
You might call that a brush with celebrity.
That's a great story, Jay! I feel like those in those ancient times there was always a chance you could run into Boston rock royalty (or adjacent royalty). Like the time I saw Ric Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova at the Chestnut Hill Mall. Or the time my friend randomly had a beer with Peter Wolf. Once upon a time, those things actually happened.
Jay! So glad you're here!
CJ, remember that fancy barber shop on Newbury St. where the overly-flirty stylist asked what I wanted to do with my bangs and we both looked at my giant, bald forehead, looked at each other, and started laughing like Hyenas? I wonder if that was Christine? Either way, she was definitely giving me the stroke.
Ah yes, the bangs story. At least she didn't suggest feathers
Billy Squier was a master at producing anthemic rock songs. Don’t Say No had some massive rock hits that are still played often on air waves today. Straight forward no frills guitar oriented rock and roll that never gets old. It’s unfortunate a couple years later the incredibly cringe worthy Rock Me Tonight video became both an MTV staple and most certainly the death nail to Billy Squier’s career. I guess being filmed while dancing around your bedroom in tights and a loose fitting pink tank top will do that. Still Billy Squier was a rocker at heart and that video shouldn’t define him.
Nicely done guys. Just wanted to throw out there that this inspired me to pick up a copy. I remember my older brothers cranking this a lot when I was a kid, and I’ve always enjoyed the hits on ZLX, but for whatever reason I have never owned this one myself...until now. Finally bought it last week and have been enjoying spinning it up ever since. Keep up the killer series. Cheers!
Thanks Dave! Glad you're enjoying the series. Like I said, Billy Squier will always hold a special place in my rock 'n roll heart. It was the first loud music I really loved (probably for your brothers too) and it really set the tone for everything else that followed for me. Enjoy the album and I hope you're doing well!