This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Dan Fogelberg's "Missing You"
I realize that '70s and '80s singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg clearly falls into the category of riding-in-the-backseat-with-your-parents music, the kind of music with which you can rationalize a strong familiarity simply because you had no control of the radio dial as a kid. But I'd be lying with pants aflame if I told you I didn't still derive some level of distinct pleasure from hearing many of Fogelberg's early-'80s soft rock hits. The most familiar of these - the tearjerking "Leader of the Band" or "Hard to Say" - are a little too well-known to qualify as forgotten gems. However, the generically titled but memorably melodic "Missing You" retains a nostalgic power even as it surprises with what, for Fogelberg, qualifies as some compelling rock guitar riffing. OK, laugh if you must at that notion, but this track did show some versatility by making the Top 30 on both the mainstream rock and pop charts even as it became a Top 10 hit in Fogelberg's comfort zone on the adult contemporary airwaves. Oh, by the way, don't confuse this one with John Waite's No. 1 hit - also called "Missing You" -from 1984. Fogelberg's got enough grief already in terms of the respect meter.
Comments
“Missing You” is one of Dan’s best singles! Remember “Heart Hotels” from 1980? “Language of Love” from 1984? He had a string of forgotten singles.
Yes, It was a shock to Learn about singer/songwriter Dan Folgelberg’s Death last December and his Legacy will in fact live on—My Favourites of all Longer, Leader of the Band, Missing You, The Power of Gold done with Tim Weissburg and Lonely in Love—Yes these will be the best songs Dan ever wrote that will live on over the Radio airwaves for the rest of our lives and the song Missing You—I think of that as my Mom who just died reciently cause Ohh Ohh I’m Missing Her indeed!!! Dan Folgelberg—A man in his Music–Gone but his Great Music will Live on!!!
If you think Fogelberg is back seat of your parents care music, I tell you to get you ass into an old 60’s Fairlane or Chevelle hard top, roll down all the windows to cruise hard top on a warm summer evening, and crank up “Missing You” to the level certain youths play rap. If you ain’t a convert while you’re driving and shifting through the 4 speed gears, then you’re brain dead or you’re deaf!
Hi
As a very longtime fan of Dan Fogelberg, I do agree that his music and talent were underestimated, perhaps on the premise that he was only a soft balladeer with songs like Longer and Leader of the Band…while I have always liked those songs–Dan is about SO much more than that!!!! If you are lucky enough to dig beyond the commercial hits, there a treasure troves of musical jewels. Dan did have an extraordinary sense of melody and though he says he struggled with lyrics-you would never know!! I have been listening to his music for over 30 years and STILL never tire from it..songs like The Reach, Nexus, Netherlands, Scarecrow’s Dreams, etc are just genius. Take a deeper listen-Dan could do it all and while he wasnt heavy metal, he could still rock!!! Lin