LC Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 To match the Raspberries thread with the same question... You've listed out favorite Eric solo songs in other threads. But if it comes down to a single choice as your all-time favorite, which one gets your nod? For me, I'm tempted by the great Top 40 hits "All By Myself" and "Never Gonna in Love Again," and by the quality album cuts "Desperate Fools" and "My Girl." But... it can only be "Boats Against the Current," for the sheer number of times I've listened to it, and for the way I studied the lyrics and melody from the time I was 17 and about to go off to college. The weird thing for me has been that for decades, I heard it as a depressing song that twists on what I was hearing as a silver lining and hint of optimism ("Tomorrow, we're gonna find what we're after at last..."), only to get the impression from other posts at this site that there's no rainbow here. Eric himself has written about the song here but hasn't revealed for sure his initial intention (smart move, actually — how we each interpret it, after all, is a personal thing, right?) So we beat on... "Boats Against the Current" 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I remember awaiting the release of the álbum, it had been hinted at through the summer of 1977 in music circles,...I´d go to the Eagles Nest (local record store) every week and ask the dudes if the new Eric Carmen album had arrived. The answer was always no. Frustrating. I couldn´t wait cuz this was the first new album since I´d become a fan. I´d not only become a fan but Eric Carmen had become my favorite of them all. I was officially a freako. Long story short, I remember spinning the record when I finally got it, and remember hearing the song "Boats........" for the first time, I remember thinking that it appeared he really nailed it with this song, that I couldn´t wait to listen a 2nd and 3rd time as I sensed the song was great but that it would take a few more listens to confirm. Confirmed it was. It´s my choice too. And in the running for greatest song of all time for me. James 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 Same (as my daughters always say). I worked at my dad's retail store, which sold LPs, and the record delivery guy could always count on me, from early 1977 right up until the release of Boats that August, to greet him not with a "Hi Joe," but with a "Hey, is it out yet? Do you have the new Eric Carmen? Is it here?" Yes, it was an event. At the time, with the Beatles disbanded, there wasn't anything else, for me, that I would call an event or "eagerly anticipated" or "must-have" (well, maybe any new solo Beatles records, but again, it wasn't quite the same, because there was SO much info on the Beatles back then, but precious little word from Arista or the Carmen camp as to Boats' whereabouts. Years later, thanks to Bernie's website, we got all the gory details behind the long hold-up of Boats (RIP Gus Dudgeon). —LC 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Have I ever mentioned that you guys have great taste? This might be a unanimous choice- "Boats Against The Current" it is for me, also. You know, Eric actually did explain "Boats" once, but, quickly took it down, specifically citing the reason LC mentioned- that it is personal and best left to be interpreted by the listener. I got to read it, but, I ain't tellin'! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Recall fondly the eventful times of going to a record store...seeing, feeling and smelling the cool music geekery within...the burning of so familiar nag champa...those were some of the sweetest days. ? Back to Eric's solo song - I would have always chosen "I Wanna Hear It From Your Lips" just because I like the song so much. But, since I can pick just one, "Brand New Year" for the timelessness and how the words speak to me at this time in my life. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katariina Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I have been a fan for short time, and I certainly can´t tell any interesting story about finding my fafourite from EC songs as James or LC. My top rated songs are: Boats Against The Current/ Marathon Man/ I Wanna Hear It From Your Lips/Nowhere To Hide/ Run Away... 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sousa Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Don't have a single favorite LC. Boats against the current - Desperate Fools - Sunrise - Brand New Year, are my number one favorite! Second runner up - Change of Heart 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew C. Clark Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Wish I could do "Make Me Lose Control" on "American Idol"!!! Matt 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 "Boats Against The Current" Bernie 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GirlFan Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 I still remember when I was 9 years old and I saw the Dirty Dancing movie and listened to the Dirty Dancing album for the first time although I didn't become an Eric Carmen fan until 20 years later when I saw Eric singing Make me lose control,Almost paradise and Hungry eyes in the Dirty Dancing concert on my Dirty Dancing DVD and I have a lot of songs By Eric Carmen that I like because I know my favourites are Let's pretend,Never gonna fall in love again, Lost in the shuffle,the Rock stops here,My heart stops and Walk away Renee and there are so many other good Eric Carmen songs too---Tammy Quick 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneNR Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 "Go All The Way" and "Change of Heart" are tied for first place. "Go All The Way" for many reasons, paramount that it's just such an excellently balanced composition and performed piece. "Chang of Heart" because it is sad, and yet still hopeful and optimistic in it's simple story and wonderful declaration of love toward another person amid conflict. . . AnneNR P.S. --- So I guess this means "Go All The Way" for favorite Raspberries song (which would go under the other thread), "Change of Heart" for favorite Eric Carmen solo song. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynthiaalma Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Brand New Year is my favorite solo from Eric, nobody can move fans more than Eric!! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LobsterLvr Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 "All For Love". It's got it all! Dave 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raspathens Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Desperate Fools - a totally original, accessible and organic melody that harkens back to a classic prairie song. Eric's best solo effort that solidifies him as a master. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foolin' Myself Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 For me it is "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again". I had heard "All By Myself" on the radio and could not believe it was the same guy that I had heard from the Raspberries in a song "Go All The Way". When I heard NGFILA, I had to have it. I went down to STAR RECORD shop here in Santa Fe and I purchased it on a 45. I really didn't have money to purchase the whole album. I took it home and listened to it over and over again on my old close and play record player. Remember they had the arm on them that would release the next 45 down to the turn table. If you left the arm in a certain position, the needle would keep playing the same song over and over. Many nights I fell asleep listening to NGFILA. My dad would have to come into my room and just turn off the power after I had fallen asleep. The grooves became white in a few days of repetitive play. I had to go out and buy it again on 45. Silly me, I could have practically bought the whole album for the cost of buying the 45. Really good times. Nothing like pops and cracks on your music. Lol 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 14 hours ago, Foolin' Myself said: For me it is "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again". I had heard "All By Myself" on the radio and could not believe it was the same guy that I had heard from the Raspberries in a song "Go All The Way". When I heard NGFILA, I had to have it. I went down to STAR RECORD shop here in Santa Fe and I purchased it on a 45. I really didn't have money to purchase the whole album. I took it home and listened to it over and over again on my old close and play record player. Remember they had the arm on them that would release the next 45 down to the turn table. If you left the arm in a certain position, the needle would keep playing the same song over and over. Many nights I fell asleep listening to NGFILA. My dad would have to come into my room and just turn off the power after I had fallen asleep. The grooves became white in a few days of repetitive play. I had to go out and buy it again on 45. Silly me, I could have practically bought the whole album for the cost of buying the 45. Really good times. Nothing like pops and cracks on your music. Lol Well, if you had asked me what Foolin' Myself's favorite Eric Carmen song was, I would have lost money on that bet! Good story, though... 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foolin' Myself Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Well, back in the day when I really first heard EC, it was Never Gonna Fall In Love Again. If you ask me today it's Foolin' Myself. I never heard Foolin' Myself until I bought the Tonight You're Mine LP. I just bought it because it was EC and I fell in love with Foolin' Myself. It was never released as a 45 as far as I know. So Kirk if you would have bet, I think you would have won. Lol 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 HI Foolin,...I always thought you loved the song "Foolin Myself" because Eric named the song after you??.. :-) 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Shaft Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Mines always been and always will be "Change of Heart". It feels like I have known the song forever but, years ago, when my first serious girlfriend and I split up I was at work and the local radio station was playing a few of EC's tunes in honour of his birthday that day. This was one of the songs played and it was the first time I truly payed attention to the lyrics and suddenly everything clicked. Years later we got back together again ("sooner or later, I don't know when... " you know the rest) and it was fun while it lasted but it didn't last forever. Oh well..... 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lew Bundles Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 Hey Shaft, listening to Eric in the midst of a breakup is suicidal... 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 Sorry, John Shaft is no longer with us...JUST KIDDING! Let's not start another 'Craig is dead thread"... 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Shaft Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 "The rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated". Alive and well, just always tied up by what the late, great Prince referred to as "this thing called life". It's nice to be missed, by the way! Cheers to you all!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Boats Against The Current has always been my favorite...and it isn't even close. It's the reason I was here. That song touched my soul the very first time I heard it. Now...if you asked me what my second favorite EC song was, I would be in trouble. I love so many of them that it would be impossible to choose... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Benfer Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Today it is Boats Against The Current. Check back tomorrow...it may be Foolin Myself, and the day after that...…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 I have the same problem. Starting Over is very personal and I think it's one of the finest songs I've ever heard, yet Overnight Sensation might just be the perfect power pop song, and Go All The Way has a special place in my heart...so, which one is it today? Starting Over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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