Steal Away (Robbie Dupree song)

Last updated
"Steal Away"
Steal Away - Robbie Dupree.jpg
Single by Robbie Dupree
from the album Robbie Dupree
B-side "I'm No Stranger"
ReleasedApril 1980
Recorded1979
Genre Soft rock, pop rock, yacht rock, Contemporary R&B
Length3:34 (album version)
3:21 (single version)
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s) Robbie Dupree, Rick Chudacoff
Producer(s) Peter Bunetta, Rick Chudacoff
Robbie Dupree singles chronology
"Steal Away"
(1980)
"Hot Rod Hearts"
(1980)

"Steal Away" is a song by American singer Robbie Dupree, from his 1980 debut album Robbie Dupree. Released as the first single from the album, it became his biggest hit, peaking at No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Adult Contemporary chart. [1] In Canada, the song reached No. 14 on the Pop chart and spent three weeks at No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. [2]

Contents

In 2009, VH1 ranked "Steal Away" placed at No. 64 on their retrospective list 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s. [3] This is despite Dupree having had a second top 40 hit with his No. 15-peaking single "Hot Rod Hearts".

History and song information

The song was released by Dupree in 1980. It immediately charted in the top 20, becoming a big hit during the summer of 1980 and the driving force on his debut album. [4] In 1991, John D'Agostino of the Los Angeles Times described the song as "a blatant, wimpy rip-off of the Michael McDonald/Kenny Loggins' composition "What a Fool Believes". [5] The Washington Post noted similarities in both Dupree's vocal style and backing keyboards to "What a Fool Believes", mentioning that McDonald's publishers sought legal action, although McDonald himself did not accuse Dupree of stealing his song. [6]

In 2017, the song was used in the American television crime drama series, Better Call Saul , in season 3, episode 10, titled "Lantern."

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1980)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [7] 24
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary [8] 2
Canada RPM Top Singles [9] 14
US Billboard Hot 100 [10] 6
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs [10] 85
US Billboard Adult Contemporary [10] 5

Year-end charts

Year-end chart (1980)Rank
Canada [11] 92
US Billboard Hot 100 [12] 26

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afternoon Delight</span> 1976 single by Starland Vocal Band

"Afternoon Delight" is a song recorded by Starland Vocal Band. It was written by band member Bill Danoff. In the US, it became a #1 single on July 10, 1976, and earned a gold record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Easy (Keith Carradine song)</span> 1976 single by Keith Carradine

"I'm Easy" is an Academy Award-winning song written and performed by Keith Carradine for the 1975 movie Nashville. Carradine recorded a slightly faster version that became a popular music hit in 1976 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">More Love (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles song)</span>

"More Love" is a 1967 hit single recorded by the American soul group The Miracles for Motown Records' Tamla label. The single, included on the group's 1967 album Make It Happen, later reissued in 1970 as The Tears of a Clown. Kim Carnes's 1980 cover of the song reached the Top 10 of Billboard's Adult Contemporary and Hot 100 charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Masquerade</span> 1976 single by George Benson

"This Masquerade" is a song written by American singer and musician Leon Russell. It was originally recorded in 1972 by Russell for his album Carney and as a B-side for the album's hit single "Tight Rope". The song was then covered on Helen Reddy's 1972 album, I Am Woman. It was then recorded by American vocal duo, the Carpenters, for their 1973 album Now & Then and as the B-side of the Carpenters's single "Please Mr. Postman". Three years later, "This Masquerade" was recorded by American singer and guitarist George Benson, who released it on his 1976 album, Breezin'. Benson's version, featuring Jorge Dalto on piano, was released as a single and became the first big hit of his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Is It (Kenny Loggins song)</span> 1979 single by Kenny Loggins

"This Is It" is a song by American musician Kenny Loggins. It was released in 1979 as the lead single from his 1979 album Keep the Fire. It reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the Adult Contemporary chart. "This Is It" was also successful on the Hot Soul Singles chart, reaching number 19; it was one of two entries on this chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep On Singing</span> Early 1970s hit song

"Keep on Singing" is a 1973 song composed by Danny Janssen and Bobby Hart, and was originally recorded by Austin Roberts from the album Austin Roberts. It was released as a single on Chelsea Records and reached No. 50 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 39 on the Cash Box Top 100. In Canada it reached # 79. "Keep on Singing" was best known as a hit single by Helen Reddy in 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lonely Night (Angel Face)</span> 1976 single by Captain & Tennille

"Lonely Night (Angel Face)" is a song written by Neil Sedaka. The song was first recorded by Sedaka and appeared as a track on his 1975 studio album, The Hungry Years. The following year the song was made popular when covered by the pop music duo Captain & Tennille, who took their version to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Just Disagree</span> 1977 single by Dave Mason

"We Just Disagree" is a song recorded by English singer-guitarist Dave Mason, written by Jim Krueger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Key Largo (song)</span> 1981 single by Bertie Higgins

"Key Largo" is the debut single by Bertie Higgins, released in September 1981. It became, in early 1982, Higgins' only top 40 hit in the United States, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track spent 17 weeks in the top 40 and was certified gold by the RIAA. In addition, "Key Largo" topped the Adult Contemporary chart for two weeks. In the United Kingdom, it reached No. 60 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Need (Jack Wagner song)</span> 1984 single by Jack Wagner

"All I Need" is a song by American actor and singer Jack Wagner. The song was released in 1984 from his debut album with the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Melody of Love</span> 1974 single by Bobby Vinton

"My Melody of Love" is the title of a popular song from 1974 by the American singer Bobby Vinton. Vinton adapted his song from a German schlager song composed by Henry Mayer, and it appears on Vinton's album Melodies of Love. The song was also recorded by Spanish pop singer Karina as "Palabras de Cristal".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeans On</span> 1976 single by David Dundas

"Jeans On" is a song by British musician David Dundas from his 1977 self-titled debut album. Released as a single the previous year, it was first featured as a television advertising jingle for Brutus Jeans. The popularity of the commercial eventually led to the recording of "Jeans On" as a full-length song, with some lyrical changes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Real Love (Doobie Brothers song)</span> 1980 single by Doobie Brothers

"Real Love" is a hit song by The Doobie Brothers, the first of three singles from their 1980 LP, One Step Closer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romeo's Tune</span> 1979 single by Steve Forbert

"Romeo's Tune" is a song recorded by Steve Forbert, released in 1979 as the lead single from his album Jackrabbit Slim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stormy (song)</span> 1968 single by Classics IV

"Stormy" is a hit song by the Classics IV released on their LP Mamas and Papas/Soul Train in 1968. It entered Billboard Magazine October 26, 1968, peaking at #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and #26 Easy Listening. The final line of the chorus has the singer pleading to the girl: "Bring back that sunny day". The single, along with the prior release of "Spooky" and, soon after, the release of "Traces", formed a trio of solid hits for the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wham Bam</span> 1976 single by Silver

"Wham Bam" is a 1976 song by the American group Silver, written by country songwriter Rick Giles. It was the only charting song by the group. John Batdorf sings lead vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Set the Night to Music</span>

"Set the Night to Music" is a song written by Diane Warren and recorded by Starship on their LP, No Protection (1987). It became a major hit for Roberta Flack in 1991. Starship's original version became a Top 10 hit on the U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number nine in the spring of 1988, and also charted minorly in Canada. The song appeared at the end credits of the 1988 fantasy-comedy film Vice Versa starring Judge Reinhold and Fred Savage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Pledge My Love</span> 1980 single by Peaches & Herb

"I Pledge My Love" is a ballad by R&B vocal duo Peaches & Herb from their LP, Twice the Fire. It became a hit in early 1980 in the U.S. (#19) and Canada (#23). It was also a Top 40 R&B and Adult Contemporary hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Drum (song)</span> 1971 single by Bobby Sherman

"The Drum" is a song recorded by Bobby Sherman from his Portrait Of Bobby LP. It was released as a single in the spring of 1971, the second of two from the album. The song was written by Alan O'Day, his first of five Top 40 chart credits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Throw It All Away</span> Song written by Gary Benson (NOT Andy Gibb)

"Don't Throw It All Away" is a song written by British musician Gary Benson and first released by the Shadows on their 1975 album Specs Appeal. Benson released his version as a single later the same year, which reached number 20 on the UK Singles Chart in the fall of 1975.

References

  1. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 83.
  2. Library and Archives of Canada (July 17, 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". bac-lac.gc.ca.
  3. Greenblatt, Leah (December 20, 2019). "VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the '80s: Do You Agree? | EW.com". EW.com. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  4. Chicago Top 40 Charts 1980. RP Smith. 2002
  5. D'Agostino, John (June 13, 1991). "Michael McDonald brings his new band to Humphrey's tonight". Los Angeles Times .
  6. Harrington, Richard (1980-09-28). "Singing All the Way to Court". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
  7. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 97. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  8. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1980-08-30. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  9. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1980-07-14. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  10. 1 2 3 "Robbie Dupree Steal Away Chart History". Billboard .
  11. "Top 100 Singles (1980)". RPM . Retrieved 2017-07-21.
  12. "1980 Talent in Action – Year End Charts : Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 92, no. 51. December 20, 1980.