The ̶S̶t̶e̶e̶l̶y̶ ̶D̶a̶n̶ ̶Christopher Cross Song That Should've Been a Hit

[00:00:05]Christopher Cross's debut album from 1979 is full of great songs. Four singles, five Grammys, and it went platinum five times over. But believe it or not, there's a song on that album that's rarely talked about that might be one of his best.

[00:00:30]Side one, track two, I really don't know anymore, features everything that makes Christopher Cross's music special, including his love of the music of Steelely Dan. That first chord, the chord the whole song revolves around, is very close to a chord that's featured in one of Steelely Dan's most legendary songs, the Asia Chord.

[00:01:07]And the supporting cast on this track is full of Staley Dan Sidman like the producer Michael Omardian but also most of the horn section including Jim Horn, Jackie Keelso, Lou McCra and Chuck Finley. But one of the highlights of the track is clearly the background vocal by Steelely Dan veteran Michael McDonald.

[00:01:35]This was the first track he sang on before Ride Like the Wind. And I'm telling you, when I heard the isolated vocals for the first time, I got goosebumps. Their voices together sound unbelievable. I really don't know. I really don't know.

[00:01:54]>> I'm just that way.

[00:01:57]>> And completing the Steely Dan Hall is guitarist Larry Carlton, who lowkey plays one of his best guitar solos ever.

[00:02:11]This is an amazing solo. Firstly, it's loaded with color tones.

[00:02:20]A sound that emphasizes the extended harmony more.

[00:02:32]Also, check out how loose his phrasing is. It's over the bar and very vertical sounding like John Cold Train.

[00:02:49]Playing over suspended chords like this can be daunting, but he's using a variety of sounds, including G# sharp minor 9 and here where he just plays a straight C#arp 7.

[00:03:08]It's really different and almost angular in the way he's phrasing over it.

[00:03:23]And it's made all the more impressive when you hear the demo version of this song. Christopher Cross plays great, but he plays it right down the middle.

[00:03:36]After the success of the album's first single, Ride Like the Wind, it was fully expected that I don't know anymore, would be the follow-up. However, Warner Brothers CEO Mo Austin decided to go with the next to the last song on the album, Sailing, which at the time Christopher Cross thought was nuts. But these things have a way of working out.

[00:04:00]I really don't know. never saw life as a single and it never charted, but it might be the best song you'll see him play live.

[00:04:11]Starting with a bass solo at the top, the live version jumps through several sections, including a key change in the second verse with the Asia chord featured prominently.

[00:04:32]and solos by almost everyone on stage, including a piano solo in Seven.

[00:04:52]A great song that somehow only gotten better after 40 years. So, go check it out and go get your tickets. I got mine.

[00:05:13]I'm just