The 25 Best Songs: The Atlanta Rhythm Section
The genesis of ARS began with The Candymen, a group that backed up Roy Orbison. Later, some of the members formed The Classics IV and charted with the classic “Spooky.” ARS were all accomplished studio musicians, and when they all came together in their home town of Doraville, Georgia, a hit making machine was formed.
While many of my Top 25 were huge radio hits, many are simply excellent album tracks. Let us know what you think.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
1. Champagne Jam Champagne Jam 78 The classic party song of the late seventies, this one features amazing guitar solos and a memorable bass break. The title track of the album that put ARS over the top critically and with fans as well.
2. Homesick Quinella 82 One of my personal favorites, this rocker has an infectious guitar riff and masterful lyrics celebrating days gone by “Where were you in ‘69? Smokin’ dope and drinkin’ wine. Just an outlaw.”
3. Georgia Rhythm A Rock and Roll Alternative 76 A simply great song about being a working musician, very reminiscent of a Jackson Browne joint.
4. So Into You A Rock and Roll Alternative 76 A beautiful love song and a major pop hit for ARS.
5. Back Up Against The Wall Back Up Against The Wall 73
Just a classic rocker. about a fight. “A man fell over my razor in the middle of a barroom brawl.”
6. Doraville Third Annual Pipe Dream 74 The bands homage to their Georgia home was their first chart hit.
7. Imaginary Lover Champagne Jam 78 The group’s biggest ever hit, reaching #7 on the Billboard charts.
8. Love Me Just a Little Atlanta Rhythm Section 72 First song of the first record. A rocking groove. Barry Bailey smokes on lead.
9. Spooky Live at The Savoy, New York: October 27, 1981; 2000 This live version of the tune they first recorded as The Classics VI sounds especially good on this live disc.
10. Conversation Back Up Against The Wall 73 A beautiful acoustic song. They also did a nice live version on Are You Ready in 1979.
11. Large Time Appears on Champagne Jam 78 and Are You Ready 79 This is a rocking tribute to friends and road partners Lynyrd Skynyrd.
12. Angel (What in the World’s Come Over Us) Third Annual Pipe Dream 74 This one reached #75 on the charts, and remains a favorite of mine. A pretty beginning builds into a Southern Rocking guitar workout of greatness.
13. I’m Not Gonna Let it Bother Me Tonight Champagne Jam 78 Another big hit for ARS, and one of their finest.
14. Silver Eagle The Boys From Doraville 80 Life on the tour bus ain’t as easy as it sounds.
15. Do it or Die Underdog 79 Another pretty song with that unmistakable ARS sound.
16. Dog Days Dog Days 75 Dean Daughtry's keyboard land Ronnie Hammond's vocals shine in this song about summer life in the beautiful South. Lyrically and musically great.
17. Alien Quinella 82 The classic ARS sound builds to an explosive end with Barry Bailey pickin’ at his best.
18. Another Man’s Woman Are You Ready 79 A simply red hot live bass solo from Paul Goddard. Look out!
19. Neon Nights A Rock and Roll Alternative 76 Lonley nights and broken hearst in the South.
20. Crazy Underdog 79 The hardest rocker ARS had done up to this point, a reflection on the times, and an unapologetic statement of disdain for those who "powder your nose and paste on your glitter."
21. Jukin/San Antonio Rose Red Tape 1976 A country flavored tribute to the music of Texas.
22. Cocaine Charlie The Boys From Doraville 80 A rocking song with a deadly serious message about a “victim of the seventies,:
23. Redneck Back Up Against The Wall 73 A real tribute to a particular type of Southerner.
24. Cold Turkey, Tennessee Back Up Against The Wall 73 Robert Nix wrote another good one, a rocker about fun times in a small Southern town.
25. Another Man's Woman (It's So Hard) Atlanta Rhythm Section 72 This is an acoustic version of a concert staple that would really get rocked up on a later album called Red Tape. (76)
Read more Southern Rock Lists HERE
Currently there are 11 comments. Leave one now!
