REO Speedwagon, "Hi Infidelity"

CJ Meant Every Word He Said

, and

Jun 21, 2023

Wendy Byrde: Well, let's, let's cut right to it, shall we Fred? What is it going to take, to put us over the top, and host your convention?

Client: REO Speedwagon.

Wendy Byrde: REO Speedwagon…

Client: Yeah. If you're the kinda place that can get the Wagon, you're gonna have yourself a whole lot'a dentists.

Then Wendy sleeps with a Mexican drug lord while Marty and Ruth negotiate a deal with a crazy old hillbilly lady who’s banging Ruth’s teenage cousin. Note: This may not be 100% accurate. It’s been a while since I watched Ozark.

That’s neither here nor there, though. My point is this: Dentists, money launderers, Mexican drug lords—everybody loves REO Speedwagon. These poofy-haired rockers dominated the arena circuit in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s with their albums You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can’t Tune A Fish (You’re entitled to come at me for this horrific pun, country fans. I’ll take my medicine.), Nine Lives and this multi-platinum smash Hi Infidelity.

Featuring original members Neal Doughty, Gary Richrath and Alan Gratzer along with longtime lead singer Kevin Cronin, Hi Infidelity was the #1 selling album of 1981. It included two Top 10 hits and went on to sell over ten million copies worldwide. Oddly enough, it was a departure for the band who was much more admired in rock circles than in mainstream pop. But, I believe it was the rock sensibilities they brought to this production that made it such a big hit.

You unconsciously know the entire first side of this record by heart. “Don’t Let Him Go” is a rousing uptempo tune in the leadoff spot followed by the monster "Keep on Loving You", which made it to the top of the charts and also resulted in the most unintentionally funny music video this side of "Separate Ways".

“Follow My Heart” continues the trend before we get to the throwback doo-wop track “In Your Letter”. Side 1 closes with the other big banger “Take it on the Run” with its blistering guitar solo in true arena rock style.

Side 2 plays a lot more to the pop crowd, leaning into a softer, more dance-friendly vibe. I feel like this direction set the tone for a lot of successful ‘80s pop music. Tracks like “Tough Guys”, “Out of Season” and “Someone Tonight” were built around the catchy hooks and soaring harmonies that characterized the decade of excess. And then of course you had to have the obligatory heartfelt ballad–”I Wish You There”--to tie things up in a neat bow.

Hi Infidelity was the kind of album that your friend’s hot older sister had in heavy rotation. Maybe she played it when she was doing her homework or when she was hanging out with her friends. Or maybe she played it when she was making out with her boyfriend. And maybe, just maybe, she played it enough that it rubbed off on her little brother’s dorky friend.

So what do you say, guys? I heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend that your dentist really likes this album.

Mitch’s Response:

If asked, I would have guessed that REO Speedwagon was from Canada. Not that Kevin Cronin is overly apologetic or waxes poetic about maple syrup in song. REO Speedwagon seems Canadian in the sense that they're familiar but a little off - just like everything in Canada. (Labatt’s instead of Miller Lite? Tim Horton’s instead of Dunkin’ Donuts? What is this crazy place?)

As a band, REO Speedwagon is tight, but none of the instruments or performances really stand out on Hi Infidelity. Everything is well played but unremarkable. They’re a professional, well-polished band. They kind of remind me of a lesser Toto. Dare I say a Canadian Toto?

Every other song on Hi Infidelity is pretty bad. Dreck like “Don’t Let Him Go”, "Follow My Heart”, and (especially) "Tough Guys" sound like soundtrack songs from a low-budget ’80s movie. Cue up a montage of now-problematic shenanigans!

Just when I was ready to give up on this album it was the throwback-sounding tunes - “In Your Letter” and “Out of Season” - that surprised and made me listen a little closer. And “Someone Tonight” is some pretty solid power pop.

Throw in the two big hits (“Take it on the Run” holds up better than “Keep on Loving You”, but they’re both deservedly classics) and REO Speedwagon’s ninth (!) studio album is better than expected, although you wouldn’t rave to a friend about it. Kind of like going on vacation to Canada.

Thinking about it, if REO Speedwagon was from Canada they might be actually a top 5 Canadian band. Alas, they’re from Chicago, where the competition is a little steeper, so I guess getting into the Newbury St. Collection will have to be enough for them.

Pitch Successful (Why can’t you tuna fish?)

Ken’s Response:

Oh, how I love the Wagon’s hits,

They’re lovely little melodic bits.

Guitars and oompas, and drums galore

When I hear them I want to shout “More, MORE!”

The Mayor of Whoville can’t fight a feeling,

While the tiniest of Whos sit scared reeling.

Upon their couches and sofas and whatzitz and chairs,

They roll with the changes that come from upstairs.

But what’s this Hi-Infidelity that plays on like trumpets,

Interrupting my breakfast of tea and warm crumpets?

This doesn’t sound like a great collection of song,

More like a few tasty bits mixed in with others so wrong.

I’ll take it on the run when it’s out of season,

And keep on loving you because that stands to reason.

But if I follow my heart, like all tough guys should,

You can’t get to Newbury St, or maybe you could.

No, too much filler piled up to the sky,

Left my musical taste buds too high and dry,

You’re exiled from my street, but don’t go and cry,

It’s me not you, now it’s time for me to fly.

Pitch Failed (REO’s Greatest Hits or STFU!)

CJ’s pitch ran into the ditch and REO Speedwagon’s Hi Infidelity will be exiled from the Newbury St. Collection. What’s your take on the Speedwagon? Which Top 20 album from 1981 would you have pitched? Please let us know in the comments section.

Exile on Newbury St.

Discussion about this post