San Francisco’s gayest looking straight bandleader, Huey Lewis burst on the music scene by slamming his whole head into a sink full of ice water in the video for “I Want a New Drug.” It was a tight song, if a little cliche, and became wildly popular. Wow! If you sing about drugs and sex, you get a hit! Whodathunkit? Anyhow, I don’t feel guilty for liking I Want A New Drug and, moreover, I don’t really like it all that much . . .
I Want a New Drug-Keller Williams
I Want a New Drug-Apostle of Hustle
He went on to have a slew of hits. A much better one was
Heart and Soul-Umphrey’s McGee
His next big break was when he was featured in the movie “Back To The Future,” in which Huey chaperoned Michael J. Fox’s prom, where McFly Jr.’s mom kept trying to make out with him. Great movie. Decent song. Still no guilt.
Time is Of the Essence/Back In Time-Animal Liberation Orchestra
I don’t even feel guilty for getting pleasure out of this one, but it’s getting closer to cringeworthy . . .
So where’s the guilt? Here it is, the corniest HLandTN tune ever, performed by a band who deserve far more attention than they’re getting.
If This Is It-Throw Me The Statue
Why does this one make me feel guilty? Maybe it’s the heads-on-the-beach image from the video. Maybe it’s the lame attempt to duplicate Billy Joel’s success doing doo wop on “Innocent Man.” No. It’s the lyrics.
If this is it, please let me know,if this ain’t love, you better let me go!
And that’s just the chorus. There’s gemlike verses as well:
You’ve been thinking
And I’ve been drinking
We both know that it’s just not right
Now you’re pretending
That it’s not ending
You’ll say anything to avoid a fight
Girl don’t lie, and tell me that you need me
Girl don’t cry, and tell me nothing’s wrong
I’ll be all right one way or another
So let me go, or make we want to stay
God, this song is stupid. Yet I love it!
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There’s nothing guilty about liking Huey Lewis. He is a rock God that even your grandma could love. More power to him!
Comment by Kendall — February 13, 2009 @ 11:28 am
First “real” concert i ever saw was Huey Lewis & the News. My younger brother missed catching the harmonica Huey threw to the crowd by inches.
i’d also like to highly recommend Glen Philips’ version of “I Want A New Drug” off of “Mr. Lemons.” He throws an almost alt-country twist to it. It’s money.
Comment by CD — February 13, 2009 @ 11:49 am
That Glen Phillips does indeed rock. Tahnks for the post. You are a God!
Comment by carolyn — February 14, 2009 @ 5:40 am
If you want to hear an appreciation, rent “American Psycho”. It’s delightful.
Comment by Stuart Kaufman — February 14, 2009 @ 8:35 am
Love the movie, love the scene you’re talking about, love the book . . . But none of those sources appreciate “If This Is It” . . .
Comment by ekko — February 15, 2009 @ 8:58 am
Yeah, nothing guilty in liking Huey!
Maybe because he’s not some badass-wannabe rapper?
Huey Lewis and The News are great musicians, who started from nothing and were able to gain mass popularity while remaining faithful to their blues and rock’n'roll roots.
They are genuine and fun, and I think we’d need more music like this nowadays. There’s nothing better than some good-times rock’n'roll!
Comment by F.M. — August 16, 2009 @ 10:02 pm
im only 21 years old and huey lewis is in my top 10 favorite artists… hes so legit i dont understand why people think his lyrics are corny because they are not they rock! GO HUEY
Comment by JARED OF WISCONSIN — September 16, 2009 @ 11:24 am
I have heard many people describe Huey Lewis & The News as “Good Times Rock & Roll”. Perhaps that is exactly what I feel when I listen to HL&N’s music. I feel uplifted – even when listening to their “sad” or “hard times” songs. The music has a beat and melody that doesn’t bring me down! I saw HL&N live for the first time just a few years ago in Murphy’s California, in an outside “Wine & Cheese” theatre (No, it was not a “Beer and Peanuts” bar). I was so surprised to learn that I already knew the words to most of their music. (I remember saying several times, “THAT’s a Huey Lewis song?”).
I can still remember that magical night. I had front-row table seating under the stars just below the stage, and I felt just like a teenager again! Huey was so adorable and he sounded and looked just perfect! My fantasy was fulfilled that evening!! P.S. I also enjoyed seeing him again subsequently performing in the musical “Chicago” in San Francisco. Thank you, Huey.
Comment by Joanne — September 26, 2009 @ 1:16 am