Paulie Mississippi Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 We all know that several of Eric's songs were released as singles but did not climb the charts like they should have. "Boats Against The Current" immediately leaps to mind.My question, though, is what song do you think would have been a hit if it had been released as a single but wasn't? I welcome opinions on both Eric's solo career and his Raspberries work as well. And I especially hope that our newest member gives us his perspective on the question as well!My picks: Eric as a solo artist: American As Apple Pie - From the first time I heard that song I felt like Geffen should release it. In fact, it is the only time I have ever sat down and wrote a record company; pleading with them to make it the next single. I was in the Navy at the time and all the guys in my division loved the song (I played it a lot on my desk-top cassette player!) Raspberries - All Through The Night - - Again, a song that caught me from the moment I first heard it. Seriously great music and tune and lyrics with a great edge and bite to them. That single would have gone a long way toward finally and permanently shaking the "teen idol" image. Just a couple of years later Lynyrd Skynyrd scored with a song that was similar in style and content with "What's Your Name?". Raspberries, as seems to have often been the case, were just a bit ahead of their time...I yield the floor to my esteemed fellow members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 The art director in me wants to commend you on your use of bold and italics! Well done!Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Besides the italics and the bold print, I love the comment! I always thought American As Apple Pie was great. Still do! And I agree about ATTN: Eric and Raspberries were always ahead of their time--*very* innovative! Very astute observation, Paulie! --D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hosskratz Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Eric as solo artist: No Hard Feelings.Raspberries: toss up, I Can Hardly Believe You're Mine and Play On. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannoman Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Hosskratz - no toss up - "I Can Hardly Believe You're Mine" wins - hands down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 "American As Apple Pie" is a really cool song. But I know the backlash of a Couger-Mellencamp sounding "ripoff" would have surfaced. Eric has often paid homage to a style of music and made it better with superior songwriting. But you always get ripped by some if you sound similar to a popular artist that came before you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted March 7, 2006 Author Share Posted March 7, 2006 Hosskratz and Ted, I agree that given those two choices, I Can Hardly Believe You're Mine would have been a more likely hit. I like it as it is a much more romantic song and still has some punch.Play On though, in my mind, would have been the logical follow up to the success of (Hit Record) and would have still given the public a taste of a different lead vocalist than Eric. With both songs being Carmen/McCarl collaborations, either would have added the cohesion that the group that had seemingly lost with the line-up change following Side 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Personally, "American As Apple Pie" ranks among my LEAST favorite Eric tunes. But hey, that's what makes the world go 'round!Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susana Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Hey, Kath - does that mean I shouldn't mention the Louise Mandrell duet?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 *That* I like :-)Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew C. Clark Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 "Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie & Chevrolet"!! Name changed to "Baseball, Hot Dogs, Applegate & Chevrolet" back in the early 80's for Flint, Michigan cars. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 As for songs that might have been hits if released as singles I gotta go with:Raspberries — "Play On"Eric Carmen — "She Remembered"Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susana Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Hey Bern - have you ever seen Lou do a show? Talk about a cheap thrill when she was going through her "EC period"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 No live Mandrell for me. Not sure I can survive being within 100 feet of a pedal steel guitar!Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Early Wynn Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I'm glad someone mentioned "I Can Hardly Believe You're Mine." That would've been a hit if someone would have released it as a single. That is the only song I wish they would have done on the reunion tour that they didn't.Boats Against, and It Hurts Too Much should have been hits...big hits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew C. Clark Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 My late dad Charles (who passed away back in April Of 1986) hated Louise Mandrell because he went to New Orleans back in 1983 or 1984 to see the showboat show back then because there were too much fiddling during the show. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill C Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 My input would be...Ecstacy-Raspberries (I don't think it was a single and if it was it should've followed Tonight instead of I'm a Rocker)Love is All That Matters-Eric Carmen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ira Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 "Love And Mercy"-Brian Wilson"."The Way We Used To Be"-Eric Carmen (and shoulda been covered a gazillion times.-Ira.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Good topic... It's tough to select one, so I'll cheat (but at least I'll rank 'em). Singles that should have been....EC Solo1. "Love Is All That Matters" -- for that memorable melody2. "Desperate Fools"3. "Lost in the Shuffle" -- I had my college radio station playing it all the time, and it sounded greatRaspberries 1. "Cruisin' Music" -- good summertime song.2. "If You Change Your Mind"3. "I Can Hardly Believe You're Mine" PS: And if the Eagles had all those '70s hits, Dave's "Should I Wait" certainly had merit. I thought he out-Eagled Frey and Henley on that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I wouldn't care if it came before or after "Play On", my choice would be "Starting Over" for the 'berries single. I like "American As Apple Pie" for the lost Eric Carmen single. Kirk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Benfer Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 It Hurts Too Much & The Way We Used To BeSongs that were released that I still can't beleive didn't do better:Boats Against The CurrentAll For LoveFoolin Myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted March 7, 2006 Author Share Posted March 7, 2006 LC, I agree with you on the quality of "Should I Wait". Had Capitol released that song, I think that a) Dave & Jim are less likely to leave the band and the general public see the Raspberries as equal to or superior to the Eagles !Craig, "It Hurts Too Much" was released as a single... which shows just how far under the radar it flew... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkpat Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Raspberries: "If You Change Your Mind"Eric: "The Way We Used To Be" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazumi Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 "Heaven Can Wait " I love this song very much.Kazumi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 "I Can Hardly Believe You're Mine" I still get chills whenever I hear this song (which is pretty often!) How cool it would be to hear it live! It would have been a great power ballad for the airwaves...-Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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