This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Tommy Tutone's "No Way to Cry"

Every once in a while, pretty much like clockwork, a story will crop up in the local, regional or national news about someone actually having 867-5309 as a working phone number. Usually the person receives a bulk of annoying voice mails and stale jokes regarding Tommy Tutone, the American rootsy power pop/new wave band that gave those digits their notoriety with 1982’s Top 5 smash “867-5309 (Jenny).” This week has brought a new twist to that old retro-flavored tale, as a New Jersey man has grown particularly creative during the current economic downturn and put his 201 area code version of the number on sale on eBay. So far bidding has climbed above $5,000, so I guess somebody’s got some money somewhere.

This got me to thinking about the multitude of “other” songs produced by one-hit wonders across the eras that have been unfairly overshadowed by their better-known musical brethren. And since we’re on the subject of Tommy Tutone, I decided to comb through that Bay Area band’s three-album catalogue to see how long it would take to uncover hidden treasure. Not long, as it turns out. In reality, this is a solid pop/rock band blessed with a talented, soulful lead singer in Tommy Heath and, less famously, a guitarist and harmony vocalist of considerable note in Jim Keller. The pair’s partnership may not have lasted too long, but it certainly was good while it lasted. “No Way to Cry” stands out as one of at least a half-dozen tracks on the band’s sophomore Tommy Tutone 2 release that uniquely explores the fascinating sonic territory between soul, country, pop and rock. Ironically, this group’s music ranks among the new wave era’s least faddish offerings, and yet Tommy Tutone has always been saddled with a persistent reputation as novelty act. Now here’s your chance to do your part in rectifying that injustice.

• Sample or download "No Way to Cry" here.
• Tommy Tutone Official Website