Gold - John Stewart (1979) 7/15/22

Here's one you may have forgotten...

John Stewart was once a member of folk music's Kingston Trio, but after he left the group, he ran into a career slump that lasted for several years.

That would be enough to make anyone cynical, but in 1979, John was finally able to jump back onto the charts by taking his cynicism and turning it into "Gold." (Puns like that sometimes are too good NOT to use!) :-)

"Gold" (from the album "Bombs Away Dream Babies") was a lighthearted but pointed look at the music and recording industry...and to add some star power to the track, he enlisted Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks to sing background. (Lindsey Buckingham appears elsewhere on the album).

The song was a huge success, reaching #4 in Canada, and #5 in the US and Australia.

Unfortunately, "Gold" ended up making John a one-hit wonder of sorts. He had a few other songs that made the lower reaches of the charts, but after a while, his cynicism returned with a vengeance and he stopped playing "Gold" in concert, calling it "empty, vapid, and originally done to put money in the pockets of the record company."

So basically, the song turned out to be exactly what he was singing about.

Be that as it may, "Gold" remains a "Great Song of 1979."

Tomorrow: Something to chew on.