Huey Lewis and the News was one of the biggest bands of the 1980s, producing three No. 1 hits, nine more Top 10 hits, and two more Top 20 hits. The group is so ingrained in American pop culture that a musical show featuring their tunes Heart of Rock ‘n’ Rollplayed on Broadway earlier this year. They released their latest album Weather In 2020.
Their eternal charm has stemmed from their special musical chemistry, the mix of old and new sounds, and the upbeat theatrical atmosphere that has endeared them to their fans. The following list of five songs showcases their happy and serious sides. Huey Lewis and the News provided relevant melodies whether exploring songs about love, religion, or war.
““Working for a Living” from Photo of this (1982)
This catchy track from the group’s second album has a ’60s rock vibe. It’s no secret that Huey Lewis and the News love classic rock, pop, and blues, and this energetic number with its vintage organ sound fits the bill. It’s short and sweet so that the catchy tune doesn’t overstay its welcome and makes it good for repeated listening. Although it was a minor hit at the time, the song showed its legs. It was used in the 1988 comedy Big Starring Tom Hanks; sung by Christine Ebersole, the subject of the short-lived 1992 sitcom Rachel Gunn, RN; and Louis A Country rock Release with Garth Brooks in 2007 for the latter Final visits Group.
“Heart and Soul” from sports (1983)
One of the group’s earliest songs and their second top 10 hit, a mid-tempo number with lots of hooks. Mike Chapman and Nicky Chen wrote the song which was originally recorded by Exile in 1981. Huey and the boys kept the arrangement but gave it a more folk flavor than the original (and shortened it by two minutes). The band’s production and Bob Clearmountain’s production also helped it become a top ten hit for them.
“Walking a Fine Line” from sports (1983)
While they were known for their energetic pop-rock music, Huey Lewis and the News became more serious as well, particularly in this song from their brilliant third album. Written by Andre Besses and Kevin Wells, it was written from the perspective of a Vietnam veteran dealing with the stresses of combat, though some have also interpreted it as being about the effects of war at home. While the song seems generally upbeat, the sad lyrics effectively go against the grain. Even though it was in the top 20, it’s still a song that more people should know.
“The Power of Love” from Back to the Future Soundtrack (1985)
Certainly the biggest song in the group’s catalog and their first No. 1 hit, “The Power of Love,” epitomizes the energetic vibe that can be found in the group’s biggest pop numbers. Not only did this balloon turn into a huge movie hit, but Lewis appeared in a breakthrough moment in the sci-fi classic as the high school principal who prevented Marty McFly’s raucous group from performing at Battle of the Bands after they played a shaky version of this song. Also note: The video for “The Power of Love” does not contain any footage from the movie, instead showing a video of Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and a time-traveling DeLorean outside the bar where the band is playing.
“Jacob’s ladder from Leading the way! (1986)
This track was written by Bruce and John Hornsby and recorded by Bruce Hornsby and The Ring two years after this release. Like “Walking a Fine Line,” it deals with a serious issue; in this case, the fraudulent preachers and evangelists promoting false hope that littered the cultural landscape of the 1980s. This song focuses on a man trying to persevere in everyday life without falling prey to these manipulators. This became the third hit for Huey Lewis and the News, although many people may not remember that.
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