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Keep the Fire Burnin' (REO Speedwagon song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Keep the Fire Burnin'" is a song by REO Speedwagon from their 1982 album 'Good Trouble'. This single was the only track from the 'Good Trouble' album to make the top ten on the pop charts, cresting at number seven.
Background
It is also the only tune from the album to feature Kevin Cronin on keyboards (piano), which, although primarily the band's lead singer and acoustic/rhythm guitarist, he had begun using (in the studio) on the 'You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish' album.[http://www.discogs.com/REO-Speedwagon-Keep-The-Fire-Burning-Ill-Follow-You/master/141974 REO-Speedwagon Keep the Fire Burning/I'll Follow You single]
This is the only song from the band's 'Good Trouble' album to have been performed live in its entirety following its supporting tour in 1983. Despite that fact, however, it is still a significant rarity in the band's setlists that has only been performed a handful of times over the last 35 years. As recently as March 2020, Kevin Cronin has played the song during solo acoustic sets during REO concerts. In addition, it is also for unknown reasons the only one of the band's major hit singles that was not included on their compilation album 'The Hits'.
Reception
'Cash Box' said that "the song isn't much different from a lot of the band's material since 'Roll With The Changes' and it's just a tad more melodic and uplifting than 'Don't Let Him Go.'"
Personnel
'REO Speedwagon'
* Kevin Cronin lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic piano, acoustic guitar
* Gary Richrath electric guitar
* Neal Doughty organ
* Bruce Hall bass
* Alan Gratzer drums
'Additional personnel'
* Tom Kelly backing vocals
* Richard Page backing vocals
Charts
Weekly charts
{|class="wikitable sortable"!Chart (1982)
!Peak
position
|-
|Canada ('CHUM'). CHUM. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
|align="center"|2
|-
|Canadian 'RPM' Singles Chart
|align="center"|10
|-
|Germany Media Control Charts
|align="center"|68
|-
|Poland (LP3)
|align="center"|8
|-
|US 'Billboard' Hot 100
|align="center"|7
|-
|US Top Rock Tracks
|align="center"|2
|-
|US 'Cash Box'. 'Cash Box' magazine. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
|align="center"|10
|-
|US 'Radio & Records (R&R)'[http://wweb.uta.edu/faculty/gghunt/charts/reospeedwagon.html REO Speedwagon][http://wweb.uta.edu/faculty/gghunt/charts/chart.html Charts!]
|align="center"|8
|}
Year-end charts
References
Category:1982 singles
Category:REO Speedwagon songs
Category:Songs written by Kevin Cronin
Category:1982 songs
Category:Epic Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Kevin Beamish
Category:Song recordings produced by Gary Richrath
Category:Song recordings produced by Kevin Cronin
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