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Canadian band Loverboy in the '80s. Source: https://ifmyrecordscouldtalk.com/2016/07/12/faceless-bands-of-the-80s-2-loverboy/ (May be subject to copyright) |
Loverboy is being inducted in Canada’s Walk of Fame this weekend, and I just saw lead singer Mike Reno on the CTV Calgary noon news.
No longer sporting a red head band, Reno brought back memories of junior high dances, movie soundtracks, high school dances, and a lot of fun.
Junior high dances
My earliest memory of Loverboy is dancing to “The Kid is Hot Tonight” with Raelene Milward at a junior high dance in Grade 7. She was a grade ahead of me and so gracious, because I really didn’t know how to dance.
My earliest memory of Loverboy is dancing to “The Kid is Hot Tonight” with Raelene Milward at a junior high dance in Grade 7. She was a grade ahead of me and so gracious, because I really didn’t know how to dance.
Other staples of those dances with lights dimmed in the gym at St. Joseph’s School in Coaldale from 1981 to 1984 were “Turn Me Loose”; and “ Working for the Weekend”.
As I got into music more, I also discovered “When It’s Over”; “Hot Girls in Love”; and “Queen of the Broken Hearts”.
Those songs had some chart success too. In 1980, “Turn me Loose” went all the way to number seven in Canada, and number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
In 1981, “The Kid is Hot Tonite” went to number 30 in Canada and number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100; while “Working for the Weekend” went to number 10 in Canada and number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1982, "When It’s Over” went to number 17 in Canada and number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1983, “Hot Girls in Love” went to number nine in Canada and number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, while “Queen of the Broken Hearts” went to number 28 in Canada and number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s funny, these songs just seem to be part of the fabric of Canadian music in the early 1980s. I thought they would have charted higher. I guess part of that is due to the Canadian Content regulations that compelled radio stations to play more Canadian music.
I am glad they did, because Loverboy was a big part of the sound track of junior high.
The chart success would still come though.
High school dance
A lot changed between the release of their album “Keep it Up” in 1983 and the release of their next album, “Lovin’ Every Minute of it” in 1985.
A lot changed between the release of their album “Keep it Up” in 1983 and the release of their next album, “Lovin’ Every Minute of it” in 1985.
I really started getting into music in the Fall of 1984, listening to the radio and watching shows on TV with music videos. Then, when I got a ghetto blaster for Christmas that year, I started recording songs off the radio, dubbing records and tapes onto blank tapes, and listening to tapes.
Initially, I was too scared to go to high school dances in Grade 10. However, by Grade 11, I was really into music and ended up going to the last one that year.
By then, Loverboy had released “Lovin’ Every Minute of it”. The single of the same name started on the radio in August of 1985. This is where things start to get interesting. The single “Lovin’ Every Minute of it” went to number 17 in Canada, but became Loverboy’s first top 10 hit in the States, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.
Their next release was “Dangerous”, which went to number 37 in Canada, and number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Then, their third single did the same thing “Lovin’ Every Minute of it” did. “This Could be the Night” went to number 44 in Canada, but became Loverboy’s second top 10 single in the U.S., peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It was the second time one of their singles cracked the top 10 on Billboard but had way less success in Canada.
I still find that surprising, because again those songs were always on the radio.
Another place I heard both “Lovin’ Every Minute of it” and “This Could be the Night” was at that high school dance.
In fact, one of my good friends danced with a girl he had liked for a long time to “This Could be the Night”.
Taking flight
Loverboy would enjoy success of a different kind in 1986. That year “Heaven in Your Eyes” came out as the fourth single, and third hot 20 hit, off the “Top Gun” soundtrack.
Loverboy would enjoy success of a different kind in 1986. That year “Heaven in Your Eyes” came out as the fourth single, and third hot 20 hit, off the “Top Gun” soundtrack.
That still may be my favourite Loverboy song of all time. It was awesome.
Once again, it was more popular in the States than Canada. It peaked at number 24 in Canada, and went all the way to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Last hit
Loverboy had their last song chart in 1987, when “Nototious” from their “Wildside” album peaked at number 24 in Canada and reached number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Loverboy had their last song chart in 1987, when “Nototious” from their “Wildside” album peaked at number 24 in Canada and reached number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100.
They continue recording and performing to this day.
Parting thoughts
It really is hard to put into words what Loverboy meant to pop culture in Canada in the ‘80s. They were always on the radio but, because they had so many hits, there was never any vinyl fatigue.
It really is hard to put into words what Loverboy meant to pop culture in Canada in the ‘80s. They were always on the radio but, because they had so many hits, there was never any vinyl fatigue.
Instead, they provided a back drop to life growing up on the farm, going to high school, cruising the streets of Lethbridge Friday nights, playing basketball at the YMCA, school dances, and so much more.
The band really was hot every night.
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