Do You Believe in Love? - Huey Lewis and the News (1982) 9/26/23

John "Mutt" Lange is a South African Producer/songwriter who some of you might know as Shania Twain's ex-husband.

That factoid is just for reference purposes, because today's Great Song of 1982 has to do with Mutt's history with a group called Clover, and how complete failure resulted in a name change, and a new direction.

Clover had moved from San Francisco to London in an effort to make their mark on rock music. Mutt produced two albums for them, and unfortunately, they both tanked.

So Clover moved back to California, changed their name to Huey Lewis and the News, and scored a "Last Chance" record deal with Chrysalis Records.

Their first album for the label tanked as well, and Chrysalis gave them fair warning: They'd support another album, but it if didn't contain a hit single, they were done.

It was strongly suggested that they cover a song that originally had been recorded by a British group called Supercharge: "We Both Believe in Love."

Huey and the boys did NOT like the idea. The problem? The song was written by Mutt Lange. The general opinion was that if they had failed twice with Mutt, why should they take another chance?

But...under the circumstances, they realized a compromise would be in their best interest...but only if Huey could change the title to "Do You Believe in Love," and alter the lyrics accordingly.

Permission was granted, and the song was added to their 1982 album "Picture This."

When it was released as a single, lo and behold, it became their first hit, climbing to #7 on Billboard's Hot 100! (Oddly, it was an even bigger hit in Iceland, where it reached #2!)

Another factor in the song's success was the fact that in the infancy of MTV, very few American groups were producing videos, whereas it had been standard procedure in European countries for several years. They were knee-deep in import videos, so they were more than happy to receive "Do You Believe in Love," and played it in heavy rotation.

The whole thing was a learning experience for the "News," and from that point on, they worked hard to make sure every album included a hit or two. And the hits just kept on coming!

But it all started when they took a third chance with Mutt Lange.

Do You Believe in Love" by Huey Lewis and the News: a late start on the road to success, but the first of their MANY Great Songs of the '80s! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzIbyDbmsyg

Supercharge version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvxamEjpx4Q

Tomorrow: Donna finds inspiration in the Ladies Room.