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(LIVIN’ IN) DESPERATE TIMES

from (LIVIN’ IN) DESPERATE TIMES (single)

written by Barry Alfonso & Tom Snow

The film, “Two Of A Kind,” released in 1983, was Olivia Newton John’s first reunion with her “Grease” co-star, John Travolta. The film eventually became a commercial disappointment but the Australian superstar sure found some  relief by the platinum performance of the “Two Of A Kind” soundtrack album.

That recording included four Newton-John songs and three of them became hits on the charts. David Foster was the main man behind that soundtrack co-writing and/or producing large part of the material included. “Twist Of Fate,” a catchy, up-tempo was the debut single reaching the top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 with its synth-pop sounds.“Take A Chance,” a gorgeous duet ballad with Travolta, was co-written by the singer with Foster and Steve Lukather and became a top three adult contemporary single. The last track to chart was “(Livin’ In) Desperate Times” co-written by Barry Alfonso with legendary songwriter, Tom Snow. Another Foster production, “(Livin’ In) Desperate Times” follows the musical footsteps of “Twist Of Fate” with Newton-John’s fantastic vocals, its tight, up-tempo rhythms based on programmed drums, various synthesizers, guitars and an absolutely irresistible refrain. “(Livin’ In) Desperate Times,” with its radio-friendly atmosphere is a valid example of Foster’s seminal productions of those years. The song eventually reached Billboard’s top 40 at #31.


Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/livin_in_desperate_times.mp3|titles=(Livin’ In) Desperate Times|artists=Olivia Newton-John]


Lead Vocals: Olivia Newton-John
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster

Produced by David Foster


Lyrics

Never thought it would be so rough
And I wonder if I have enough
To keep from breaking down
No Mercy in this town

Every day is just another test
Seems I’m always second best
But you learn along the way
That’s the price you have to pay

I try to stay defiant, be tough and self reliant
Though I get tired to the bone
Love is just a wish you keep inside
How’s it gonna help me to survive
Looks like I’m in this fight alone

CHORUS
And I’m living in desperate times
Being alive’s my only crime
Don’t care what I have to do
I’ll find some way to make it through
Oh, and I’m living in desperate times
And it’s too late to change my mind
Till these desperate times are done
Gonna run, watch me run

Innocents get taken in
By the promise of an easy win
They start off so naive
So eager to believe

But the glitter of the city lights
Only covers up a lonely night
Of strangers slamming doors
You’re hungry and ignored

I’ve faced the competition
I’ve made the hard decisions
Will it be worth it in the end?
Taking any chance that comes along
Getting hard to tell what’s right or wrong
I only wish I had a friend

And I’m livin’ in desperate times
Being alive’s my only crime
Don’t care what I have to do
I’ll find some way to make it through
Oh, and I’m livin’ in desperate times
And it’s too late to change my mind
Till these desperate times are done, gonna run
Watch me run

And I’m livin’ in desperate times
Being alive’s my only crime
Don’t care what I have to do
I’ll find some way to make it through
Oh, and I’m livin’ in desperate times
And it’s too late to change my mind
Till these desperate times are done, gonna run
Watch me run

And I’m livin’ in desperate times
Being alive’s my only crime
Don’t care what I have to do
I’ll find some way to make it through
Oh, and I’m livin’ in desperate times
And it’s too late to change my mind
Till these desperate times are done, gonna run
Watch me run