Keep On Loving You (song)

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"Keep On Loving You"
Keep On Loving You vinyl7'.jpg
Single by REO Speedwagon
from the album Hi Infidelity
B-side "Follow My Heart"
ReleasedNovember 4, 1980 [1]
Recorded1980
Genre
Length3:20
Label Epic
Songwriter(s) Kevin Cronin
Producer(s) Kevin Beamish, Kevin Cronin, Alan Gratzer, Gary Richrath
REO Speedwagon singles chronology
"Time for Me to Fly"
(1978)		"Keep On Loving You"
(1980)		"Take It on the Run"
(1981)
Music video
"Keep On Loving You" on YouTube

Kevin Cronin stated that he wrote "Keep On Loving You" as a more traditional love ballad, and the band as a whole developed it into its final arrangement as a power ballad. He recounted:

I walked into rehearsal and sat down at the piano, which I rarely do because I'm a guitar player, and started playing "Keep on Loving You." ... And the guys in the band looked at me like I was from another planet. They were like, "What are you...?" because we were all bringing in songs for this record we were going to make and they looked at me like I was crazy. And I'm like, "Dude, this song really means a lot to me." [And they said] "So, dude, that's not an REO Speedwagon song." And I kind of was like, "You know what? I'm the main songwriter for REO Speedwagon, so if I write a song, it's an REO Speedwagon song. It's the band's job to turn it into an REO Speedwagon song." I was so passionate about this song. Everyone kind of got it and sure enough, Gary [Richrath] went over, plugged in his guitar and started playing power chords to this little love song I wrote. The next thing we knew, it was a number one record and everyone was calling it a power ballad and acted like we had this strategy for success that made this song happen when really it was just an accident. [8]

Cronin also said:

I went down to S.I.R. Studios, where we were rehearsing, sat down at [Neal Doughty's] piano and started to play these chords. Now, usually with us when somebody comes up with a good musical idea and begins playing it, everyone else joins in and we take it from there. But I must have played this part about 100 times, and no-one was taking any notice. Finally, though, Gary [Richarth] plugged in his Les Paul to a giant stack of Marshalls and started playing something. Now, I am convinced the only reason he did this was to try and drown me out. But when I heard what he was doing I jumped up and said, 'That's exactly what this song needs!'. And the song took off from there. [9]

Epic Records did not think the song was good enough to be released as a single but the band persuaded them to do so. [9]

Music video

In 1981, a video of the song was the 17th played on the first day of broadcast of MTV, on August 1. [10] It was framed by a scene of Kevin Cronin talking about his relationship troubles with a female psychiatrist and contained a shot where a woman picked up a telephone connected to Gary Richrath's guitar, referencing the live version of "157 Riverside Avenue." [11]

Personnel

REO Speedwagon

Additional personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [39] Gold400,000‡
United States (RIAA) [40] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">REO Speedwagon</span> American rock band

REO Speedwagon, or simply REO, is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Their best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980), contained four US Top 40 hits and sold more than 10 million copies.

<i>Hi Infidelity</i> 1980 studio album by REO Speedwagon

Hi Infidelity is the ninth studio album by American rock band REO Speedwagon, released on November 21, 1980, by Epic Records. The album became a big hit in the United States, peaking at number one on the Billboard 200, spending 15 weeks at number one. It went on to become the biggest-selling album of 1981, eventually being certified 10 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Fight This Feeling</span> 1984 single by REO Speedwagon

"Can't Fight This Feeling" is a power ballad performed by the American rock band REO Speedwagon, written by lead singer Kevin Cronin. The song first appeared on the 1984 album Wheels Are Turnin'. The single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and held the top spot for three consecutive weeks from March 9 to March 23, 1985. It was the group's second and last number-one hit on the U.S. charts and reached number sixteen in the UK. "Can't Fight This Feeling" has appeared on dozens of 'various artists' compilation albums, as well as several REO Speedwagon greatest hits albums.

<i>R.E.O./T.W.O.</i> 1972 studio album by REO Speedwagon

R.E.O./T.W.O. is the second studio album released by the Illinois-based rock band REO Speedwagon, released in 1972. Under the leadership of guitarist Gary Richrath, this album continued the musical direction set on 1971's REO Speedwagon with Richrath's own compositions carrying the record.

<i>You Can Tune a Piano, but You Cant Tuna Fish</i> Album by REO Speedwagon

You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish is the seventh studio album by REO Speedwagon, released in 1978. It was their first album to be co-produced by lead singer Kevin Cronin and lead guitarist Gary Richrath. The album was REO's first to make the Top 40, peaking at No. 29. The album sold over 2 million copies in the US, which led it to being certified 2× Platinum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take It on the Run</span> 1981 single by REO Speedwagon

"Take It on the Run" is a song by American rock band REO Speedwagon off the band's ninth studio album Hi Infidelity (1980). The song was written by lead guitarist Gary Richrath. "Take It on the Run" was the follow-up single behind the group's number-one hit, "Keep On Loving You". The single went gold on April 17, 1989. "Take It on the Run" has appeared on dozens of "various artists" compilation albums, as well as several REO Speedwagon greatest-hits albums. The 2017 song "Messin' Around" by Pitbull featuring Enrique Iglesias interpolates "Take It on the Run".

<i>Live: You Get What You Play For</i> 1977 live album by REO Speedwagon

Live: You Get What You Play For is a live album by rock band REO Speedwagon, released as a double-LP in 1977. It was recorded at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building in Kansas City, Kansas, the Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kiel Auditorium in Saint Louis, Missouri and Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom in Atlanta, Georgia. It peaked at number #72 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1977. The song "Ridin' the Storm Out" reached #94 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, but has since become a classic rock radio staple. The album went platinum on December 14, 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Richrath</span> American musician

Gary Dean Richrath was an American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist and a songwriter for the band REO Speedwagon from 1970 until 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Cronin</span> American singer

Kevin Patrick Cronin Jr. is an American musician who is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band REO Speedwagon. The band had several hits on the Billboard Hot 100 throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including two chart-toppers written by Cronin: "Keep On Loving You" (1980) and "Can't Fight This Feeling" (1984).

<i>Good Trouble</i> (album) 1982 studio album by REO Speedwagon

Good Trouble is the tenth studio album by REO Speedwagon, released in 1982 as a follow-up to Hi Infidelity. It peaked at #7 on the Billboard charts. The single "Keep the Fire Burnin'" gave the band a #7 hit on Billboard's Pop Singles Chart and a #2 hit on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, their highest-charting hit on this chart.

<i>R.E.O. Speedwagon</i> (album) 1971 studio album by REO Speedwagon

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<i>R.E.O.</i> (album) 1976 studio album by REO Speedwagon

R.E.O. is the sixth studio album by REO Speedwagon, released in 1976. It peaked at number 159 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1976. It marked the return of Kevin Cronin to the band after a four-year absence. Five of the songs were featured on the band's subsequent live album, Live: You Get What You Play For. Many fans refer to the album as C.O.W. due to the background of the cover art.

<i>The Hits</i> (REO Speedwagon album) 1988 greatest hits album by REO Speedwagon

The Hits is a compilation album from REO Speedwagon. It contains hits such as "Can't Fight This Feeling" and "Keep on Loving You", as well as new tracks "Here with Me" and "I Don't Want to Lose You". "Here with Me" cracked the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. and the top ten on the Adult Contemporary chart; however, it would be the last single to feature drummer Alan Gratzer and guitarist Gary Richrath, as they each left the band within the year following this album's release. The album has sold over 4 million copies in the U.S. which led it to go 4× Platinum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep the Fire Burnin' (REO Speedwagon song)</span> 1982 single by REO Speedwagon

"Keep the Fire Burnin'" is a song by REO Speedwagon from their 1982 album Good Trouble. This single was the only track from the Good Trouble album to make the top ten on the pop charts, cresting at number seven.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Let Him Go</span> 1981 single by REO Speedwagon

"Don't Let Him Go" is a song written by Kevin Cronin. It was originally released as the opening song for REO Speedwagon's #1 album Hi Infidelity. It was also released as a single, reaching #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Don't Let Him Go" has appeared on several REO Speedwagon greatest hits albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Your Letter</span> 1981 single by REO Speedwagon

"In Your Letter" is a song written by Gary Richrath that was first released on REO Speedwagon's 1980 album Hi Infidelity. It was released as the fourth single from the album and just made the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at #20. It also reached #26 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It also had some chart success in Canada, reaching #34.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Time for Me to Fly (song)</span> 1978 single by REO Speedwagon

"Time for Me to Fly" is a song by American rock band REO Speedwagon, released in 1978 as the second single from the album You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish. It was written by lead singer Kevin Cronin and took 10 years to write. The song originally reached number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100, but later reached number 34 on the Digital Songs chart after being used in Netflix's Ozark. It also reached number 90 on the Canadian charts. The song has a BPM of 81 BPM and plays in 4/4 time signature. Cash Box praised the "melodic singing and acoustic guitar work...enveloping chorus and...catchy lyric." Record World said that it is "characteristic of the group's imaginative use of rock's common raw materials."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Lonely Night (song)</span> 1985 single by REO Speedwagon

"One Lonely Night" is a song performed by the American band REO Speedwagon, written by keyboardist Neal Doughty. The song is the third single from the band's 1984 album Wheels Are Turnin'. It peaked at No. 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it the second best performing single from the album in the United States, although very far from the success of "Can't Fight This Feeling".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Do' Wanna Know</span> 1984 single by REO Speedwagon

"I Do' Wanna Know" is a song written by Kevin Cronin that was the lead single from REO Speedwagon's 1984 album Wheels Are Turnin'. It was more of a rocker reminiscent of the songs REO Speedwagon had released in the 1970s than the ballads the band had been successful with in the early 1980s. It had limited success on popular music charts, which was blamed for delaying sales of the album until the release of the follow-up single, the ballad "Can't Fight This Feeling." The video to the song was nominated for several awards.

References

  1. ↑ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA.
  2. ↑ Köhler, Michael (March 9, 2019). "Review: R.E.O. Speedwagon – CLASSIC YEARS 1978–1990". Classic Rock Magazin (in German). Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  3. ↑ Benitez-Eves, Tina (February 10, 2023). "Dolly Parton, Kevin Cronin to Record "Dark Duet" of REO Speedwagon's "Keep on Loving You"". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  4. ↑ List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1981
  5. ↑ "Reo Speedwagon | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  6. ↑ "REO Speedwagon, Keep On Loving You (Appears On)". Allmusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  7. ↑ Wardlaw, Matt (October 6, 2013). "Top 10 REO Speedwagon Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  8. ↑ Everson, Zach (February 24, 2010). "REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin on Louisville, power ballads and if my wife's a slut". Louisville . Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
  9. 1 2 Cronin, Kevin (May 11, 2016). "The 10 Best REO Speedwagon Songs, by Kevin Cronin". Classic Rock. Louder Sound. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Random Facts: 1st Video to Ever Play on MTV". JMedinaLive.com. June 8, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  11. ↑ "REO Speedwagon, Keep On Loving You". YouTube. October 9, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  12. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 250. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  13. ↑ "CHART NUMBER 1261 – Saturday, March 14, 1981". Archived from the original on November 7, 2006. Retrieved February 13, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). CHUM. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Top Singles – Volume 30, No. 12, December 16, 1978". RPM. RPM Music Publications Ltd. December 16, 1978. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  15. ↑ "REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You" (in Dutch). Top 30. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015. Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 14
  17. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  18. ↑ "REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You". officialcharts.de. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Irish Singles Chart". The Irish Charts. Retrieved January 25, 2015. Note: REO Speedwagon must be searched manually.
  21. ↑ "REO Speedwagon Singles". umdmusic.com. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  22. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Keep On Loving You". charts.nz. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  23. ↑ John Samson. "Keep On Loving You in South African Chart" . Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  24. ↑ Hung Medien. "REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You". hitparade.ch. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  25. ↑ "KEEP ON LOVING YOU". Official Charts. April 11, 1981.
  26. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Top Pop Singles 1955–2012. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research, Inc. p. 703. ISBN   978-0-89820-205-2.
  27. ↑ "Artist Chart History – REO Speedwagon". Billboard charts. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  28. ↑ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending MARCH 7, 1981". Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Song artist 607 – REO Speedwagon". TsorT. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  30. ↑ "REO Speedwagon". Gghunt.utasites.cloud. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Charts". Gghunt.utasites.cloud. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  32. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1981". Kent Music Report. January 4, 1982. p. 7. Retrieved January 11, 2022– via Imgur.
  33. ↑ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Top Singles – Volume 35, No. 22, December 26, 1981". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1981" (ASP) (in Dutch). Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Chart File Top 100" (PDF). Record Mirror . London: Spotlight Publications. December 26, 1981. p. 27. Retrieved June 13, 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  37. ↑ "Top 100 Hits for 1981". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  38. ↑ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1981". Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2014.. Cash Box magazine. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  39. ↑ "British single certifications – Reo Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  40. ↑ "American single certifications – R.E.O. Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved January 19, 2015.
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