Hello listeners! You picked a great night to tune in, as
the Dial is serving up a tasty platter
from the incomparable Donna Summer, 1981’s “Highway Runner”. Telling the tale
of a mysterious drifter, and recorded for the LP “I’m a Rainbow”, (which was shelved by Geffen Records until 1996!), "Highway" managed to receive some much
deserved exposure on the soundtrack to Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Unfortunately, this great fusion of new wave, synth-rock, and sitar
accompaniment wasn't released to the radio, so it never charted on the
Billboard Hot 100.
Summer will forever be known as the “Queen of Disco”,
(deservedly so, as such sparkling songs as “Love To Love You Baby”, “Last
Dance”, and “Bad Girls” prove), but her success with growing beyond the disco
genre should not be overlooked. Consider the guitar rock jam of 1979’s “Hot
Stuff”, ‘82’s Michael Jackson-meets-The Gap Band vibe of “Love Is In Control
(Finger on the Trigger)”, and the bouncy teen pop inspired “This Time I Know
It’s for Real”, from ’89, her final US top 10 hit.
Much love and respect to you, Donna. Thank you for
brightening all of our lives with your gift of song.
“Highway, lead him to where he’s never been… Show that
drifter what he’s never seen… Introduce him to this, acquaint him with that…
Gotta keep searching like a stray, stray cat…”
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