Original

Probably the last record I bought before moving out of my parents house in the fall of ’78. One of the most played records at the apartment I shared with three brothers from ’78 to ’79. I think we played this almost every day. I don’t remember what happened to that record it was probably worn out and I trashed it, This is a used one I bought when I was living in West Reading. It’s a little warped but still plays OK. Side one has more gentle or melodic songs dominated by synthesizers. The first song “The Great White Hope” is the most rocking on the side. “Sing For The Day” was released as a single but I don’t remember ever hearing it on the radio. The first line of “Lords Of The Rings” is now stuck in my head. Side two is the one we played most and it starts with three of their best songs. All rockers and big hits “Blue Collar Man(Long Nights)”, “Queen Of Spades”, and “Renegade” can all be heard on FM and Satellite radio today. The title track, another more mellow tune, is about not giving up your dreams for money, kind of the theme of the whole record. “Aku Aku” is an instrumental with whispering by Tommy Shaw to go along with the Easter Island theme of the cover by Hipgnosis.