This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Joan Armatrading's "Drop the Pilot"

As an American kid growing up during the early '80s, the only real exposure I can remember having to British singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading was through syndicated reruns of the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. Ah, the pre-cable days of frequently watching whatever the hell happened to be on. Anyway, I remember noticing Armatrading depicted on posters placed in various areas of the show's studio set, visible as Johnny Fever or Venus Flytrap cavorted around comically.

Unfortunately, there was basically zero chance for me to hear Armatrading on the radio in the States, especially since I lived a little too far south to pick up WKRP even if it were to have actually existed. Such lack of airplay is now quite disappointing to me if still not surprising. After all, Armatrading is a black native of the West Indies who chose to play eclectic, introspective songs drawing variously from pop, folk, blues and jazz origins. Not exactly the best fit for the blossoming video age, I suppose. For whatever reason, American singles success fiercely eluded Armatrading, as "Drop the Pilot", a great song with a vibrant new wave sheen, remains her only track to chart in the U.S., making it to a rather feeble No. 78 position at that. This is a lively tune that showcases not only Armatrading's soulful vocal approach but also her impressive songwriting sense, and it continues to strike me as an injustice that this artist has never received her due as a major worldwide pop artist of the '70s and '80s.

• Joan Armatrading's Official Website
• Compare prices on Joan Armatrading CDs