I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins (1980) 9/14/23

It's in the hole! :-0

There's a good chance that today's Great Song of 1980 is the only song that can make a gopher dance.

"I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins, is the opening and closing theme to the movie "Caddyshack:" the comedy classic about hijinks at a country club, starring Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, and Bill Murray, among others.

TRIVIA: Bill's brother Brian Doyle Murray wrote the script, along with Douglas Kenney and future Ghostbuster Harold Ramis. Brian also appears in the film as the actual Caddyshack manager.

Kenny Loggins was given a rough cut of the film to watch before writing "I'm Alright," and decided the song should reflect the aspirations of caddie Danny Noonan (Michael O'Keefe), who, in the film, is vying for a golf scholarship.

On the recording, you'll note that there's a false vocal start at 2:05. Kenny admitted it was a mistake, but actually liked it. He then remembered that the Mamas & Papas song "I Saw Her Again" had a memorable false start and became a Great Song (#5 in 1966--see link below) and decided his mistake was "Alright" to leave in.

Some critics thought it was a genius move that actually enhanced an already Great Song. Fans of the film, and radio listeners appeared to agree, helping "I'm Alright" reach #7 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #5 on Canada's Top 40.

"I'm Alight" by Kenny Loggins: A Great Song of 1980..from "Caddyshack!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rmPckNvD3E

"I Saw Her Again" (Mamas & Papas 1966): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u1zZraDPs8

Tomorrow: A Do-Wop Classic is re-made!