"Fly High Michelle" by Enuff Z'Nuff

    What’s goin’ on friends? Thanks for tuning into Kyle’s Radio Dial, the blog that jogs your mind with songs that you forgot you knew. Tonight, we take a listen to, (and a look at), an artifact from the late ‘80s that blended power pop influence with glam metal, and despite addressing a serious subject from a lyrical standpoint, it came equipped with a bright and cheery video that stuck out in the minds of any of us that saw it on MTV or Friday Night Videos back then. Let us introduce Enuff Z’Nuff, and "Fly High Michelle"!

"Six o’clock in the morning, still sitting here pouring the drinks ‘til they’re gone…"

Hailing from the Chicago, Illinois suburb of Blue Island, Enuff Z’Nuff, a clever re-spelling of the phrase "Enough’s Enough", consists of lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Donnie Vie, lead guitarist Derek Frigo, Vikki Fox on drums, and the band’s namesake, Chip Z'Nuff, on bass and vocals. The band’s 1989 self-titled album, from which "Michelle" was pulled, contained a strong Beatles influence combined with ‘70s power pop ala Cheap Trick, The Babys, and the Raspberries.

Back when "Michelle" was a new tune, I assumed the song was about a young woman who loses her virginity to a guy that treats her horribly, largely because of the "why did you have to give it up" line that leads into the chorus. Later on, I thought the tune may have centered on a girl who got married too early and has come to regret her decision. But this was before I learned all the lyrics, and once I did, it became rather clear that Enuff Z’Nuff’s "almost hit" touches on the subject of suicide.

It seems that Michelle was originally an optimistic young woman who became severely depressed and wasn’t able to get help. She was unable to overcome her destructive and negative emotions, which led to her decision to take her own life. Donnie Vie alludes to the fact that they had a relationship of some sort, though it’s left vague as to if it was romantic or platonic. Regardless, he assumes a bulk of the guilt for not recognizing the pain she was in. Perhaps if he had, then he could have helped her and she would still be with him.

"We did everything together, would have done it forever, how did we go wrong…"

The music video’s visual style counters the somber quality of the lyrics through its use of "Day-Glo" colors via rainbows, balloons, neon cityscapes, and the band members’ bright outfits. Hey, it was the late ‘80s after all… fluorescent colors and glam metal was still all the rage. Plus, Derek gives off a David Lee Roth vibe here with his leopard print shirt and leather cap, which is always a welcome look.

The video clip also features computer animation, sophisticated for the time, though charmingly dated now, which shows a variety of effects that look to be pulled from a low budget fantasy movie. There’s an impossibly fast rising and setting of the moon, rapidly arching rainbows, clouds that can support the weight of multiple people, and the beautiful Michelle herself, rising into the sky via a magical bundle of balloons.

As visually arresting as the video is, it may seem a little too happy and childlike for the subject matter of the song. But I think that’s just the point – Michelle was a young woman who gave up her life with great potential for happiness, and she was seen by many as just a kid herself.

"I wish we still could have done things, and not overhung things… I wish you were here."

With just a little more of a push at radio, "Michelle" should have been a top 40 hit for the guys, but alas, it was not to be and the tune stalled at #47 on the pop charts. It managed better on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart at #27, though it still couldn’t be called anything close to a "smash hit". Another single from the LP, "New Thing", only reached US #67 pop, and #35 at mainstream rock, and thus marked their final hot 100 chart appearance.

However, the lack of singles chart success hasn’t slowed down the band from Blue Island, I’m happy to report. Even though Chip Z’Nuff is the only original member with the band (Frigo passed away in 2004, and Fox and Vie left the group and were replaced in 1993 and 2013, respectively), the band continues to enjoy a loyal following today, and released their thirteenth LP, "Clowns Lounge" in 2016.

On a side note, in addition to their aforementioned power pop roots, I also hear a little Elton John in the mix here as well. In specific, Donnie Vie’s "I know that what goes up…" line echoes the cadence of the line "Even when you died" from the second verse of John’s "Candle in the Wind". Maybe it’s just a coincidence, or it could be that I’m hearing something that isn’t really there, but perhaps it was an intentional reference point to Elton from the band.

So check out the clip below, and revisit this tune that deserved to be a much bigger hit than it turned out to be. Michelle would want it that way. And be sure to stay tune to the Dial for more great music that you just don’t hear on the radio anymore. Kyle’s Radio Dial… the more you listen, the MORE you remember!

"Why’d you have to give it up… fly high Michelle… Ooh, you were just a little girl… fly high Michelle… I’ll never look into your blue eyes… fly high Michelle."