Top 7 Bob Seger Songs of the "80s
Relatively removed from his almost hard rock origins, singer-songwriter and heartland rock mainstay Bob Seger populated the '80s with a steady stream of ballads and mid-tempo numbers. That's not a slight of his considerable talent, as clearly Seger figured out definitively during the latter half of the '70s what he did best and just stuck with it in the new decade. Here's a look at some of the singer's finest tunes of the '80s, all specimens decidedly of the time and simultaneously timeless in their scope and impact.
Such a consistent strain of melancholy pervades this great song about the inevitable passage of time and the inherent struggle of life that it's easy to forget how lovely and idyllic the tune is musically. From the beautiful blend of acoustic guitars and piano to Seger's soulful vocal performance, the song travels a blurred path of folk, rock and country impulses with effortless grace. Seger has always been a master of subtle melody, which tends to make his deliberate verses more effective than most of his simple choruses. Lyrically, however, perhaps only Bruce Springsteen does blue-collar poetry better than Seger.More »
Few artists have become as ubiquitous on a certain genre of radio than Seger, who is a deserving and varied staple on classic rock stations still today. Part of the reason for this, I suspect, is that Seger's compositions serve as perfect companions for cookouts, camping trips and contemplative moments just spent hanging out. Those who wish to listen closely to this tune, for example, find a narrative that explores longing, mistakes and missed opportunities. On the other hand, thorough enjoyment results as well through a focus on the track's slow, shambling gait toward some kind of vague, eventual wisdom.More »
Though its start sounds uncomfortably like Frank Stallone's iconic '80s anthem "Far From Over," this Seger track has always been one of my favorites. So even though there's something in the slick production and arrangement that seems particularly dated (a problem Seger's music rarely seems to have), the earnest heartland punch of this one remains convincing and effective. The way the singer pours all his emotion into the chorus as it wraps up ("She gets to me somehow…... even now") represents everything that is pure and good about good-time rock and roll, which is - even at his darkest - Seger's prime specialty.More »
The fact that Seger's "Wait for Me," his only charting single from his 2006 album, Face the Promise, showed more popularity in country music circles than pop doesn't seem so strange upon a listen to this wistful, underrated track from 1984's soundtrack to the film Teachers. As a matter of fact, it's almost criminal that this tune did not appear on one of the singer's few '80s studio releases, as that meant it was heard far too little on the radio or otherwise. Still, it's never too late to become acquainted with this fine representative of Seger's tunefully comtemplative vocal and songwriting style.More »
1. "Against the Wind"
Such a consistent strain of melancholy pervades this great song about the inevitable passage of time and the inherent struggle of life that it's easy to forget how lovely and idyllic the tune is musically. From the beautiful blend of acoustic guitars and piano to Seger's soulful vocal performance, the song travels a blurred path of folk, rock and country impulses with effortless grace. Seger has always been a master of subtle melody, which tends to make his deliberate verses more effective than most of his simple choruses. Lyrically, however, perhaps only Bruce Springsteen does blue-collar poetry better than Seger.More »
2. "Fire Lake"
Few artists have become as ubiquitous on a certain genre of radio than Seger, who is a deserving and varied staple on classic rock stations still today. Part of the reason for this, I suspect, is that Seger's compositions serve as perfect companions for cookouts, camping trips and contemplative moments just spent hanging out. Those who wish to listen closely to this tune, for example, find a narrative that explores longing, mistakes and missed opportunities. On the other hand, thorough enjoyment results as well through a focus on the track's slow, shambling gait toward some kind of vague, eventual wisdom.More »
3. "You'll Accomp'ny Me"
Some Seger fans may complain that the singer-songwriter's '80s output too often shelves rockers for slow and easy, largely acoustic affairs like this tender tune. But I say none of that really matters as long as an artist can pump out quality music as consistently as Seger, and the fact is that his best songs of the '80s tend to operate in the territory of ballads. Once again, Seger's simple but compelling melodies and chord progressions serve as solid foundations for his weathered tales of persistence. In his capable hands, the song becomes a passionate event that belies its mellow, laid-back '70s-sounding groove.More »4. "Even Now"
Though its start sounds uncomfortably like Frank Stallone's iconic '80s anthem "Far From Over," this Seger track has always been one of my favorites. So even though there's something in the slick production and arrangement that seems particularly dated (a problem Seger's music rarely seems to have), the earnest heartland punch of this one remains convincing and effective. The way the singer pours all his emotion into the chorus as it wraps up ("She gets to me somehow…... even now") represents everything that is pure and good about good-time rock and roll, which is - even at his darkest - Seger's prime specialty.More »
5. "Roll Me Away"
Seger's music can certainly be accused of occupying the middle of the road musically (straddling so many folk, rock and country boundaries as it does), but his soaring melodies can never be saddled with a similar label. Just listen to the way this tune gracefully makes its transition from verse to chorus and try to keep from imagining the feel of the open road against a hopeful horizon. Seger is an established master at this kind of wide-open American outlook, but here he finds a new level of transcendence when he yelps, "Next time we'll get it right." At times listening to Seger actually cures depression, I suspect.More »6. "Shame on the Moon"
Although this song is a Rodney Crowell composition and not a Seger original, that fact is certainly hard to believe based on the singer's absolute occupation of this tune. I remember reading years ago a piece of music criticism that marveled at how much better of a singer Seger is than Springsteen. There was a time when I scoffed at that claim, but the older I get I continue to realize what a first-class, versatile vocalist the former has always been. This moody track is a perfect showcase for the trademark tinkling piano and organ strains of the Silver Bullet Band, and the whole affair comes off sublimely.More »7. "Understanding"
The fact that Seger's "Wait for Me," his only charting single from his 2006 album, Face the Promise, showed more popularity in country music circles than pop doesn't seem so strange upon a listen to this wistful, underrated track from 1984's soundtrack to the film Teachers. As a matter of fact, it's almost criminal that this tune did not appear on one of the singer's few '80s studio releases, as that meant it was heard far too little on the radio or otherwise. Still, it's never too late to become acquainted with this fine representative of Seger's tunefully comtemplative vocal and songwriting style.More »
