Song #30: "Words"--Missing Persons (1982)

The first time our ears were tickled by the unique sounds of Missing Persons was when today's song first hit radio in the classic summer of 1982. The summer, now almost 35 years ago, brought us:

Eye Of The Tiger--Survivor
Abracadabra--Steve Miller Band
Jack and Diane--John Cougar
Ebony & Irony--Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
Rosanna-Toto
Hard To Say I'm Sorry--Chicago

However, none of these songs that neared, or topped, the charts appear in this journey. Dale Bozzio and company do, three times, all in the Top 100. It's a shame we didn't get more from this group, as their subsequent album in 1984 was deemed too experimental and radio barely touched it. By 1986, the band, and Dale's marriage to fellow band member, Terry, were falling apart.

Just a passing thought. What was musical variety 35 years ago? The same week "Words" peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100, also on the chart was Kenny Rogers, Melissa Manchester, The Alan Parsons Project, Gary U.S. Bonds, Kim Wilde, Billy Idol, Frank Zappa (who was instrumental in Missing Persons' career), The Clash, and Barry Manilow, all in the Top 50 the week of August 28, 1982, my first week as a student at Patrick Henry High School.

Back to our story.....we have the classic "Spring Session M" from 1982, an album titled that way because it is an anagram of their name, and from it, three fantastic songs, my favorite of which is below.