"Strung Out" was the fourth single from Street Talk, and it charted (at #40), before fading into relative obscurity (until now, that is). The video was shot after "Oh Sherrie," but plays like a slightly amusing prequel (for those who are not familiar with "Oh Sherrie," just watch them back-to-back).
While "Strung Out" is admittedly pretty basic (i.e., commercial), we have always had a soft spot for it (call it a guilty pleasure). It is, we think, a catchy, well crafted song.
After Street Talk, Perry waivered over whether to leave Journey, and actually started work on a follow up album, tentatively called Against the Wall. Eventually, Perry returned to Journey and sang on 1987's Raised on Radio, before leaving the band (Perry actually left the industry as well, for seven years). Against the Wall was never finished, but a few of the songs made it on to Perry's 1994 solo album For the Love of Strange Medicine.
Neal Schon, Steve Smith and I think Jon Cain released solos also. They did theirs before Perry released his.
ReplyDeleteLindalut,
ReplyDeleteGreat comment, and thanks for reading the blog. Neil Schon released two albums in the early eighties as part of Schon and Hammer -- Lies is up on the blog (back in September) if you are interested. Jonathan Cain did release a solo album back in 1977 (before he joined the Babys), which I didn't know until your question. Near as I can figure, Steve Smith did not release a solo album while he was with Journey.
Long story short: Cain and Smith did not release solo albums while they were in the band, Schon did 2, as part of a side project in the early 1980s.
This video (Strung Out...) is awesome, and not really commercial at all. Commercial would have been all the band members playing/singing a basic rock song, little movement, 3 loud guitar solos, done.
ReplyDeleteTHIS song is power fused with SPs jazz-fusion and his band mates each contribute to the entire number; evenly and in synch. Steve sings incredibly strong., each line is deliberate. This is an experience, perfection, unique./Elle
So I'm guessing that you are a Steve Perry fan then?
DeleteStrung Out and Hung Up on... Steve...Strung out... / Oh, yes. Been singing his songs (and praises) for a cuppla decades now (kinda wish Neil had caught MY karaoke! Lol) SP has magic, and always handles himself as a gentleman. Thank-you, Rockdog for this opportunity, I'm sure SP appreciates it, too. I'd sure like to share a song with SP in his 'new' studio - wouldn't THAT be fun? Even tho' we are all older, the fun in our voices remain... In fact, I've written a dozen song/lyrics since he lost his KN; my heart goes straight out to him. writing has always been an creative outlet 4me me, no-one likes to hear, "...you have xx", but that's when writing can be such a gift. Anyway, I am so happy that he had a chance to experience a true, true love. Thanks again, "RD"you ROCK it!. /ElleB
DeletePS, Rockdog; growing up in a time with gifts of sunporches and MTV cannot be matched. Band music purely blending voice, guitar, bass, drums, keyboard so smoothly to perfection. Each album loved, each song a treasured new adventure. Ooh, yes! Now add a sunporch!! OMG - cannot get enough! Never, never too much... SP is right about carefully using the word 'never'. I'll choose the sunporch and MTV every time; We got quite an education, and I wouldn't trade it. Plus, MTV hosts, like Martha Quinn, always had extra stuff to share! We were interacting before it became the norm. Rockdog, how many times could I have found you dancing and/or singing on your sunporch? Daydreaming and developing your creative edge? You turned out just fine, it seems. We had rock-n-roll music and sunporches! Done!
ReplyDeleteElle, your enthusiasm is contagious, thanks for the warm thoughts. And yes, MTV on the sunporch was pretty great back in the day.
DeleteRD! Hope your day is rock-n-rolling; Question 4U; do you think Neil Schon would have (ever) considered a female lead vocalist? If YouTube created the opportunity for a singer whose English is clearly their second language, what are the chances for an American/Brit who can hold her own w/Journey covers, ballads or belt-outs... Just interested in your own take, thank-you, Rock Dog. SP seems very specific in his ventures, but if he is completing one more album, perhaps he has a place for someone just like that on a tune or two of his solo stuff...hmmm, wink/nod....thanks again, RD/Elle
DeleteElle, I honestly have no idea; Neil and I don't talk much anymore (or ever, to be honest). He did work with Jan Hammer on two albums, so make of that what you will.
DeleteI gave this post additional thought, and I guess no one can answer a 'what if' question like this. You were gracious to give it consideration, my apologies and my thanks. We all just miss the "80s Journey" - and a specific time in our precious, young hearts. On a different note (pun!), Rock dog, I hope music lovers of today (all of us, all ages) take time to check out the 'vinyl' versions being pressed. A single listen can blow our rockNroll minds. I've even seen turntables come down in price Hoo-rah, I've kept my old T-table (on a new sunporch) and the sound is still my favourite. You must have ALL the equipment choices, gotta favourite of your own? Thanx RD/elle
DeleteHi RockDog, Elle here to wish you and yours a Happy Holiday! My good friend gave me a second copy of SPs "For Love of Strange Medicine". It is for my car; I was pretty excited. She said, 'Now you won't have to remember to carry it". I had to laugh, I crank it up in the house and in the kitchen. Have a safe holiday season, RD! Hope to 'hear' from you in the New Year; I read that SP is doing some collaborative work...hope so. Take care!/Elle
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elle, and my best to you and yours as well.
DeleteHey RockDog, Spring has sprung and here we are. I ran into a friend i hadn't seen in a long time at the local market, and we jabbered an hour about Steve Perry - what we know, guess at, etc. He lives long through fans like us. The turntables still spinning for SP; El/
ReplyDeleteHey Elle, thanks for stopping by. BTW, feel free to check out the non Steve Perry videos on the site (we have a few of those, don't ya know).
ReplyDelete"Strung Out" was the THIRD single released from 'Street Talk' - not the fourth. It was released the end of August/beginning of September. It peaked on the Billboard charts the end of October. "Foolish Heart" was the fourth single released after Thanksgiving in 1984 and peaking on the charts in February 1985.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the catch - I have corrected the entry.
DeleteWhat does SP mutter after "oh Sheila .. hi" ? I can never make it out .. That Sheila wan is sooo OTT 😆
ReplyDeleteI just love this video - and the song obvs! The emphasised 'TO' in " .. don't belong TO you" part sounds cheeky & is a real hook, for me .. feck it, the entire song is a hook! .. then SP talking .. & his "Aaare you serious" reply to yer man at the end 😏 💖
Hi Nol, Steve says, "Oh Sheila .. hi ... (I thought you were in New York)," which Sheila (amazingly) hears and replies, "I was, I just flew in last night ..."
Delete"Strung Out" was the FOURTH single released from 'Street Talk,' not the third.
ReplyDelete"She's Mine" was the THIRD single released with "You Should Be Happy" on the B-side. It charted at #21 on Billboard's Hot 100, which is higher than "Strung Out," yet most people don't realize that it too was a single.
The B-side of "Strung Out" was "Captured by the Moment."
Jonathan Cain did NOT put out a solo album in the 1980s. He had two albums with his band, The Jonathan Cain Band, in 1975 and 1977. His first solo album was "Back to the Innocence," a piano instrumental released in 1995.
Neal Schon was the first to release an album separate from Journey; actually, there were two albums released. I don't think we can call them solo albums because they were with Jan Hammer, so that would be a collaborative project; also, in his discography catalog, they are not listed as solos.
The two albums with Jan Hammer were released in 1981 and 1982.
Steve Smith, Journey's drummer, released his solo album with his band, "Vital Information," in 1983.
Steve Perry's 'Street Talk' was the fourth album from a Journey member released outside of the band.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. We've corrected the post to show that "Strung Out" was the 4th single from Street Talk. Appreciate the other comments, as well.
Delete