Ticket 2 Ride

Welcome to my next artist, Kenny Loggins. I excluded his great work with Jim Messina, and the other collaborations, to focus on his solo work. Loggins at age 77, is still very active, with a lengthy discography to his credit. Aside from Loggins & Messina, Loggins was known for his film songs, teaming up with Michael McDonald, Steve Perry, Stevie Nicks and others on duets.

Loggins has co-written songs with McDonald (“What a Fool Believes”, “This Is It”, Only A Miracle”), Perry (“Don’t Fight It”), Melissa Manchester (“Whenever I Call You Friend”), Alan and Marilyn Bergman (“I Believe in Love”), Jimmy Webb (“If You Be Wise”), Bob James (“Celebrate Me Home”), Stephen Bishop (“Give It Half a Chance”), David Foster (“Heart to Heart”), Will Ackerman (“Will of the Wind”, “My Father’s House”), Babyface (“All I Ask”) and many others. The variety of songwriting partners shows the diversity of Loggins’ style.

“Lady Luck“ (Kenny Loggins, lyrics: John Townsend) – From Loggins’ first solo album, Celebrate Me Home (1977). What I really like about this song are all of the string instruments: electric and acoustic guitars, mandolins, bouzoukis and mandola. Playing those instruments are Hiram Bullock, Lee Ritenour and Tommy Tedesco. [Tedesco was known as a member of The Wrecking Crew, a first-call guitarist who recorded many of the biggest hits of the 1960s and a ton of TV and film work.] “Lady Luck” is a driving song, with beautiful acoustic sounds, like something that Loggins & Messina would have released.

“Heart to Heart” (1982) Written with Michael McDonald on the verses and David Foster on the choruses. From the hugely successful album, High Adventure. The song peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Loggins was good at these songs, not exactly a ballad, not quite a rocker.

“Keep the Fire” (1979) written with Loggins’ then wife, Eva Ein. The album of the same name was produced by veteran Tom Dowd (Eric Clapton, Allman Brothers). This song rocks a little harder than the typical Loggins song, and although it cracked the Top 40, there were higher charting singles from the album like “This Is It”, which I like, but not as much as “Keep the Fire.”

“I’m Alright” (1980) The theme song from the film, Caddyshack. Loggins really leaned into film scores in the 1980s, particularly as music got slicker and more industrial sounding. “I’m Alright” is just as goofy as the film, but it has humor and stupid charm. Written by Loggins and produced along with Bruce Botnick, there is a great vocal by Eddie Money in the song’s bridge. I bet you are thinking about that dancing gopher. Admit it.

“Give it Half a Chance” (1979) Another song from Keep the Fire. Loggins, like Peter Cetera, came to be known for soft, love ballads, and both had a strong collection David Foster. Thankfully, Foster is nowhere mentioned on this song’s credits. Co-written with Stephen Bishop, this song is passionate and sweet, without being saccharine. Of his many ballads, I enjoy this one the most, and his vocals flex in the right direction.