From KNOCK THE WALLS DOWN
Written by Steve Kipner & Jay Graydon
Steve Kipner’s “Knock The Walls Down” is a very important album cause it marks Jay Graydon’s first production ever. Graydon was one of the hottest geitar players of the seventies, playing sessions for Steely Dan, Carpenters, Barry White, Marvin Gaye and a zillion other big names. In 1979, he was asked by Kipner to produce his debut album and, even if it didn’t become a hit, it started a tremendous career for Graydon who went on to produce hit records for George Benson, Manhattan Transfer and Al Jarreau. It was also very important for Kipner, who became one of the biggest songwriters in pop music, writing hits like “Physical” for Olivia Newton-John, “Hard Habit To Break” for Chicago and “Genie In A Bottle” for Christina Aguilera. Obviously the album is along the lines of the quality pop that Graydon and his friend David Foster were developing around those years. Foster appears on “Knock The Walls Down” adding his golden touch to many of the songs. “School Of Broken Hearts” is the show-stopper here. It is a mix of jazz changes, rock guitars, and smooth vocal harmonies that showed a new, fresh direction for pop music. Kipner sings the sarcastic lyrics with good conviction and style with Graydon underlying his lines with unmistakable guitar licks. Foster’s jazzy keyboard playing, Jeff Porcaro’s unique drumming and The Seawind Horns’ licks are the other perfect tools to make these four minutes an absolute listening pleasure.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/school_of_broken_hearts.mp3|titles=School of broken hearts|artists=Steve Kipner]
Lead Vocal: Steve Kipner
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: David Hungate
Piano, Synth Strings & Fender Rhodes: David Foster
Rhythm Guitar: Dean Parks
Electric Guitars: Jay Graydon
Percussion: Victor Feldman
Trumpets: Jerry Hey & Gary Grant
Trombone: Bill Reichenbach
Background Vocals: Carmen Twillie, Venette Gloud, Bill Champlin, Steve Kipner, Tom Kelly & Bobby Kimball
Arranged by Steve Kipner & Jay Graydon
Produced by Jay Graydon
Lyrics
Oh no! Not another one! Not another romantic fool!
You’re all the same. You’re just like me
Welcome to the school of broken hearts
Welcome to the school
She’s a devil with an angel’s eyes –
What a siren is to a sailor
On a ship of fools we learn the rules
Go crashing into the school of broken hearts
Chorus
Oh! Think of what you’ve learned
You’ll be smart enough to see
Wise to the ways of love
It’s so elementary
Oh! She teaches all the rules
She graduates you with a love degree
You’re gonna find out
You’ll find out just like me
She enrols you with a kiss goodnight
Another student has come to class
You can’t help but fall; she educates us all
Welcome to the school of broken hearts
Chorus
Graduation