CAFFE` LATTE` 
TOP 1200 CHOICE TRACKS

(MID-WEEK BONUS) #709-705
#709 THE LAST RESORT The Eagles
The closing track on The Eagles' very successful 'Hotel California' album is "The Last Resort". That album was bursting with themes of loss, pessimism and destruction- both personal and beyond. "The Last Resort" is a fitting bookend to that LP's opening title track. On both of these songs, the metaphors warn us of the high cost of our overindulgence and excess. Group members Don Henley and Glenn Frey created this epic together and it was lifted as a single in 1977. Bill Szymczyk produced the recording. 

#708 WATER RUNS DRY Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men revived the vocal group tradition in the 1990s with beautifully executed songs that included "4 Seasons of Loneliness", "A Song for Mama", "On Bended Knee" and "Water Runs Dry". Their history is summed up in the hit song "Motownphilly", citing the 2 labels whose music inspired them: Detroit's Motown Records and their hometown's Philadelphia International. Sneaking backstage at a Bell Biv Devoe (a trio that was itself a splinter of vocal boy band New Edition) concert, they performed for Michael Bivins who offered them a contract immediately. 
Singer/ songwriter/ producer Babyface penned "End of the Road" for the boys, which became the longest running #1 in US history in 1992 (13 weeks). "I'll Make Love To You" improved on that achievement, reigning for 14 weeks (in a tie with Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You") 2 years later. 
In 1995, Babyface provided the group with another lush ballad, the aforementioned "Water Runs Dry". He produced the recording. This single peaked at #2 in America and was lifted off their 'II' album. That same year saw Boyz II Men collaborate with Mariah Carey on "One Sweet Day" which still holds the record for the longest residency at #1 on the US Hot 100: 16 weeks.

#707 HYPNOTIZED The Pointer Sisters
"Hypnotized" is another example of the Pointer Sisters' ability to switch from one genre to another with credibility. Here, the trio takes on a Fleetwood Mac song written by past member Bob Welch from his group's earlier blues period. The original version was released on their 1973 LP 'Mystery to Me'. 
The Pointers recorded their remake for the 1978 album 'Energy'. Richard Perry produced this track which featured seasoned session musicians including Jeffrey Porcaro on drums, Waddy Wachtel on slide guitar, Danny Kortchmar on electric guitar, Randy Bachman on acoustic guitar, David Paich on acoustic piano and James Newton Howard on clavinet & synthesizer. 

#706 HEAD OVER HEELS Tears For Fears
Forming in Bath, in 1981, Tears For Fears consists of 2 childhood friends: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Scoring a record deal in the following year, the group was soon charting with hits that included "Mad World", "Change" and "Pale Shelter". 1984 saw the release of 'Songs from the Big Chair'. This album contained 2 US #1 singles: "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World". The 3rd track lifted for release was "Head Over Heels", co-written by Orzabal and Smith. Chris Hughes produced the recording. This single reached #3 in America and #8 in Canada. 
"Sowing the Seeds of Love" was the duo's final major hit before a gap lasting several years; including a period where Smith quit, leaving Orzabal to record what were basically solo albums (although they were credited to Tears For Fears). Smith reunited with Orzabal in 2004 for their 'Everybody Loves A Happy Ending' album.

#705 TROPICAL LOVELAND Abba
"Tropical Loveland" is a track on ABBA's self-titled album from 1975. This LP showcases the group at a point where the variety of sounds really came together to create a higher standard of pop songcraft. The track was written by group members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus with ABBA's manager Stig Anderson. Frida Lyngstadt sings lead on the song, which refers to an exotic location. Andersson and Ulvaeus produced the recording.