There aren't 10 songs from the 70s better than this one

That IS my favorite Bob Seger song although most people point to Turn The Page which I absolutely can not stand...boring as hell.

If we're doing covers now, I'll throw this one in.

I don't know how old you are, but Kenny Loggins was gold and winning consistently in the 70s and 80s. He's a talented guy...that's why he won so much. He's the main act. This Is It is a main act song.

Always like this song but after listening to it again his vocals sound too much like he is showing off his range. It a serious subject, your father near death and pleading with him to fight, lyrics and tone are just off. The opening instrumental was impressive.

I'm old enough to have been around when that was on the radio. I didn't like it then, but hey, I'm glad that you do. It simply is more in the "pop" realm that is not my thing.

That said, I have to sound off here - those songs posted including Bob Seeger's Night Moves, Black Betty (I know the Ram Jam version, but the SpiderBait one is great, too, James Brown song, Steeley Dan's Reelin' in the Years, and Sonic Youth's sublime cover of SuperStar, are all flat out batsh!t stellar songs in my opinion, and so much so, I can't help but chime in. They are the best and it's great to see that many here appreciate them!

I really like the guitar solos on a couple more of their hits from this period, Larry Carlton's playing on Kid Charlemagne, and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter's solo on their song My Old School.

You got me digging so I went deeper.
This was the 4th attempt at a boy/girl love song, and that original theme lingers.
After a visit to his father who was feeling helpless this version took over. Kenny said he was pissed at his dad, his lyrics illustrated that in calling him a “fool”, insight into the head of a rock star who doesn’t want to deal with a family downer. There is no sign of appreciation, only a self entitled prick. I certainly view Loggins differently, you should reevaluate.

1) Father wasn't near death. He was going in for cardiovascular surgery.

2) Why shouldn't he be allowed to show off his vocal chops?

3) Disagree completely on the lyrics and tone comment. He is encouraging his father in this song, and the tone is spot on for the situation.

He does tell his father in that song "don't be a fool anymore." Sometimes love needs a kick in the pants. Not a prick at all. He's encouraging his father not to give up. You don't write a song begging your father to "stand up and fight" if you don't love him.

1) oh really:

”you say maybe it’s over - make no mistake where you are - your backs to the corner - and the final line - your going no further”

you seem so artistically insensitive I’ll leave it at that

Yeah, tough love. His dad was not fully on board with the surgery and had been putting off his health care. Loggins is basically telling him that he needs to have this surgery or he's going to die.

Also, you left out pertinent lyrics:

"But keep me near in your heart
Know whatever you do, I'm here by your side"

"You think that maybe it's over...only if you want it to be"

Again, if he didn't love his father, he wouldn't have written this song being brutally honest with him where he was in his life and yet still telling him that no matter what he does, he's here for him "I'm here by your side."

You're wrong on this, dude.

You stated in post # 93 his father wasn’t facing death, and now you say it’s surgery or death. I worked to open your eyes to that and you fail to acknowledge, that’s a red flag in my book.

Again this song was originally written about a boy/girl break up the lyrics support that (see Wikipedia). The dad thing was a later spin to avoid a same old theme. The lyrics are ripe with ambiguity.

Choosing the dad theme. We have no idea what he went through before their meeting. Maybe his wish to die was warranted? Interview in 1987American Songwriter Mag, Loggins says there was a fight & he was pissed, not really an appropriate mind set to try Tough Love. “Don’t be a fool anymore”is sung with hostility & disgust. Listen to Dan Fogelberg’s Leader of the Band to hear a son who truly loves his father.

Your post at this time has 62 down votes with 3 up votes. You would be wise to let it go!

Dude, so what that he wrote the song initially about a boy-girl relationship? He decided it didn't work for that and rewrote it for his father. You're wrong, dude.

There is no 'perfection' that can't be improved.

"I'm sure youre right dear; now will you please finish your Count Choculas and get on that lawn mower?"

Thanks for keeping it fun and interesting, what a great spectrum of interests!