By: Jay Broderick - If there is any artist who makes the memories come flooding back like a tsunami for people of my generation and the previous, it's Bob Seger. I know this to be true for many people, even if they are a little more somber memories. For me, my thoughts immediately go to my brother. In the mid 1980s, he seemingly had Bob Seger playing non-stop in his Mercury Comet... on 8-Track no less. As the elder statesman, he would take me camping, and I fondly remember the weekend we went canoeing in the wilds of northern Ontario, pitching tents on any deserted island we came upon. And Bob Seger was always on the airwaves.
With 18 studio albums to his credit, Against the Wind was Seger's 11th. Amazingly, this is the only Seger album to go #1 where it knocked off Pink Floyd's The Wall. WOW! Now that's quite the feat! With the catalogue that this man has, it seems to be an un-factual statistic. At minimum, the charting position of this album is well warranted. While there were only 4 tracks officially released as singles, it's practically a greatest hits album on its own.
The first single "Fire Lake" was released in February of 1980, in line with the album's release. With it's twangy, country strum, and simple bass plucking to open the song, the feet start tapping immediately, in time with the beat. Vocally, Seger is superb as he sings about that old adage of risk taking. Nobody who has ever had success in this great world did it without taking a risk. I picture myself in my bro's car, heading up Highway 48 to 'Balsam Lake', and I smile! Good old Bob Seger!!
The album's title track was released as the second single, and this is one of the very few songs I learned how to strum on an acoustic. It's one of those songs that lyrically take you back to yesteryear. One of many that Seger has in his arsenal. As I listen to this one while writing this piece, Paul Harris' piano strumming gives me chills, but also adds an air of sadness. With backing vocals from Eagles' Glenn Frey, it baffles my mind how there are some out there who think this does not deserve to be placed in the category of great songs.
The album's leadoff track "You'll Accomp'ny Me", and "The Horizontal Bop" were the other 2 songs released as singles from this monster. Oddly enough, the "B" side of "The Horizontal Bop" single was "Her Strut", and for me, is the far superior song. Man, this one rocks! So who are the lyrics "But oh they love to watch her strut, Oh they do respect her but, They love to watch her strut" about? Well, here's what actress/activist Jane Fonda states on her website: "My partiality for him pre-existed my discovery—during a radio interview he did in 1981– that his song, 'Her Strut,' was motivated by moi!!!!" Listen, say what you will about Jane Fonda, have you not seen Barbarella???
Outside of the released singles, "No Man's Land" is another one of those Bob Seger songs that just makes you feel. The simple guitar chord progression, and melody is so moving, and inspiring. Fear... it's a great killer. We can choose to roll over and let life beat us down, or we can pick ourselves up and push on.
But of all the amazing songs on this record, "Good For Me" is by far my favourite... because I'm a huge sap at heart. The gentle melody on this track has always given that heartfelt feeling, but it has taken on greater meaning for me later in my life. This song is about finding that one true love, that makes life so meaningful. And sometimes we need to find that person who brings the best out of us. I'm happy that I found that person later in my life. And boy, is she so good for me! If you've found that person in your life, hold on tight! If you haven't, as noted in "No Man's Land", don't roll over in defeat. Pick your ass up, and keep on keeping on!
Produced by longtime Bob Seger manager/producer Punch Andrews, Against the Wind came with some distaste from the critics. Many considered this album to be a sellout, and some even questioned the album's lack of conceptual flow. Yet others even went so far as to call the track list "schizophrenic". How can there be such a disparity between fans and the so called "professionals"? Well, unfortunately, this is the way. We all know the greatest films are the ones the critics hate. For the most part, the same can be said for music. And for Bob Seger's studio masterpiece, we'll let the fans do the talking!
Track List
Side One
1. "The Horizontal Bop"
2. "You'll Accomp'ny Me"
3. "Her Strut"
4. "No Man's Land"
5. "Long Twin Silver Line"
Side Two
1. "Against the Wind"
2. "Good for Me"
3. "Betty Lou's Gettin' Out Tonight"
4. "Fire Lake"
5. "Shinin' Brightly"
I finally caught Seger in concert on October 26, 2019. It was the last time he performed in Toronto. Man, he sounded amazing! It's one of the reasons I urge music lovers to see their favourites in concert. I understand things have gotten out of control from a financial standpoint. Especially for these bigger acts. But you just never know when it'll be the last time. And Bob Seger? He's a true gem! One of the best artists our respective generations have ever seen.
Bob Seger Online
Album Release Date: February 25, 1980
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