Time Passages (song)

Last updated

"Time Passages"
Time passages al stewart UK single.png
Side A of the UK single
Single by Al Stewart
from the album Time Passages
B-side "Almost Lucy"
ReleasedSeptember 1978 (US)
November 1978 (UK)
Genre Soft rock
Length6:39(album version)
4:39(single edit)
Label Arista
Songwriter(s) Al Stewart, Peter White
Producer(s) Alan Parsons
Al Stewart singles chronology
"On the Border"
(1977)
"Time Passages"
(1978)
"Song on the Radio"
(1979)

"Time Passages" is a song by British singer-songwriter Al Stewart, released as a single in 1978. It was produced by Alan Parsons and is the title track of Stewart's 1978 album release. The single reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1978, [1] and also spent ten weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Easy Listening chart, the longest stay at number one on this chart in the 1970s. [2] Billboard magazine also ranked "Time Passages" as the No. 1 Adult Contemporary single of 1979. [3]

Contents

The familiar final line to the chorus is, "Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight". Less lyrically complex than a typical Al Stewart composition – the singer's previous top ten hit "Year of the Cat" exemplifying his usual style – "Time Passages" was one of two songs on the Time Passages album written by Stewart with the intent of the tracks' having hit single potential, the other being "Song on the Radio" which was the follow-up single and reached No. 29 Billboard and No. 27 Cash Box. The song describes the singer planning a trip home in late December (presumably for Christmas) and his nostalgic memories of the past.

Chart performance

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You'll Never Find Another Love like Mine</span> 1976 single by Lou Rawls

"You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" is a song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and performed by R&B singer Lou Rawls on his 1976 album All Things in Time. The song proved to be Rawls' breakthrough hit, reaching number 1 on both the R&B and Easy Listening charts as well as number 4 on the dance chart and number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This was the first and only time that one of Rawls' records reached Billboard's pop Top Ten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)</span> 1977 single by Rod Stewart

"You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)" is a song written and recorded by Rod Stewart for his 1977 album Foot Loose & Fancy Free. The song became a hit, reaching the top ten of many countries, including the United States (number 4), Canada (number 2), and Australia, peaking at number 1 for one week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbreaker (Dolly Parton song)</span> 1978 single by Dolly Parton

"Heartbreaker" is a song written by Carole Bayer Sager and David Wolfert, and recorded by American entertainer Dolly Parton. It was released in July 1978 as the first single and title track from the album Heartbreaker. The song topped the U.S. country singles chart, for three consecutive weeks, in mid-1978. "Heartbreaker" also peaked at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Easy Listening chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Eyes Adored You</span> 1974 single by Frankie Valli

"My Eyes Adored You" is a 1974 song written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan. It was originally recorded by The Four Seasons in early 1974. After the Motown label balked at the idea of releasing it, the recording was sold to lead singer Frankie Valli for $4000. After rejections by Capitol and Atlantic Records, Valli succeeded in getting the recording released on Private Stock Records, but the owner/founder of the label, Larry Uttal, wanted only Valli's name on the label. It is from the album Closeup. The single was released in the US in November 1974 and topped the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1975. "My Eyes Adored You" also went to number 2 on the Easy Listening chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 5 song for 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Right Down the Line</span> 1978 song performed by Gerry Rafferty

"Right Down the Line" is a song written and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty. Released as a single in July 1978, it reached #12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on Cash Box. It was the third release from Rafferty's City to City LP as the follow-up to his first major hit as a solo artist, "Baker Street".

"I Just Fall in Love Again" is a song written by Larry Herbstritt, with co-writers Steve Dorff, Harry Lloyd, and Gloria Sklerov. Herbstritt had composed the melody and chords for the chorus and a chord progression for the verse, which he took to his friend Steve Dorff. Harry Lloyd and Gloria Sklerov completed the lyrics. The song was originally recorded by the Carpenters and later covered by Dusty Springfield, and Anne Murray, who was unaware Springfield had recorded it just 6 months prior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)</span> 1979 single by Robert Palmer

"Bad Case of Loving You " is a 1978 song, written and originally recorded by Moon Martin and sung a year later by Robert Palmer. The song became one of Palmer's definitive hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bluer Than Blue</span> 1978 song by Michael Johnson

"Bluer Than Blue" is a 1978 song recorded by Michael Johnson. The song was written by noted pop and country songwriter Randy Goodrum. Originally recorded as a demo, "Bluer Than Blue" was taken as the first single from Johnson's subsequent LP, The Michael Johnson Album. The song is from the point of view of a man who is in a failing relationship, and is trying to convince himself that his situation will improve once the one he loved moves on; however, it is evident by the lyrics to the song his efforts are thus far ineffective.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Go Crazy (Paul Davis song)</span> 1977 single by Paul Davis

"I Go Crazy" is a song written, composed, and recorded by American singer-songwriter Paul Davis. It was the first single released from his 1977 album Singer of Songs: Teller of Tales, and his second-highest peaking pop hit, peaking at #7 on the Billboard chart in 1978. The song entered the Hot 100 on August 27, 1977 and began slowly climbing, peaking in March and April 1978, before dropping off the chart the week after May 27, 1978. Overall, it spent 40 weeks on the Hot 100, setting what was then the record for the longest run on that chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow</span> 1977 single by Tom Jones

"Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow" is a 1977 single written by Roger Greenaway & Barry Mason and performed by Tom Jones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Know What I Mean</span> 1976 single by Neil Diamond

"If You Know What I Mean" is a song written and recorded by Neil Diamond. It is a track from Diamond's 1976 album, Beautiful Noise, and was his third number 1 on the Easy Listening chart, where it spent two weeks. "If You Know What I Mean" went to number 1 for two nonconsecutive weeks and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, the song reached number 19 on the pop singles chart and hit number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Song on the Radio</span> 1979 single by Al Stewart

"Song on the Radio" is a composition by Al Stewart introduced on his 1978 album release Time Passages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daisy Jane</span> 1975 song by America

"Daisy Jane" is a song written by Gerry Beckley of the group America included on the 1975 America album Hearts. Issued as that album's second single — following up the #1 hit "Sister Golden Hair" — "Daisy Jane" reached #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the final Top 20 hit by the original three-member incarnation of America. On the Easy Listening chart the track reached #4. In Canada, the chart peak of "Daisy Jane" was #16 on the Pop singles chart and #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

<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">Before My Heart Finds Out</span> 1978 single by Gene Cotton

"Before My Heart Finds Out" is a 1978 single and hit song by Gene Cotton. It was the debut single from his eighth album, Save the Dancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friends (Elton John song)</span> 1971 single by Elton John

"Friends" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. It was John's third U.S. hit, and his second to reach Top 40 after the breakthrough success of "Your Song".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady (Little River Band song)</span> 1978 single by Little River Band

"Lady" is a song written by Graeham Goble and performed by Australian rock music group Little River Band. It was released in September 1978 as the third and final single from their fourth studio album, Sleeper Catcher. The song peaked at number 46 on the Australian Kent Music Report singles chart. The song also peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Time I'm in It for Love</span> 1978 single by Player

"This Time I'm in It for Love" is a song recorded by the American rock band Player. It was the second single from their self-titled first studio album. The song was released in early 1978 as the immediate follow-up to their biggest hit and debut single, "Baby Come Back".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Dreams (Air Supply song)</span> 1981 single by Air Supply

"Sweet Dreams" is a song by English/Australian soft rock duo Air Supply from their sixth album, The One That You Love. The song reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on the Adult Contemporary chart in early 1982. The song also reached No. 8 on Cash Box. In Canada, it peaked at No. 14 on the RPM Top 100 and No. 15 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Theme from <i>Close Encounters of the Third Kind</i> 1977 single by John Williams

"Theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind" is a 1978 instrumental hit single by composer John Williams. It is the main theme of the soundtrack of the movie of the same name. The song became a hit in the United States (#13) and Canada (#12) during the winter of that year.

References

  1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 603.
  2. Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of No. 1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications), page 417.
  3. "BILLBOARD MAGAZINE: 1936 to 2010 Searchable". www.americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 294. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  5. "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  6. "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  7. "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1978". Cashboxmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  8. "Item: 110 - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  9. "Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 14 October 2016.