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WE BOTH TRIED

from ROBBIE DUPREE

written by David Foster & Bill Champlin

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Robbie Dupree is a gifted singer/songwriter. Dupree’s 1980 self-titled debut album immediately gained attention fueled by the catchy single “Steal Away” that reached #6 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
The singer’s husky vocals and the pop/soul, upbeat atmosphere of “Steal Away” drew heavy comparisons with Michael McDonald and his Doobie Brothers’ hits of those days. Produced by Peter Bunetta and Rick Chudacoff of Crackin’ fame, “Robbie Dupree” is a great example of quality or “West Coast” pop. It was elegant music perfectly arranged and performed by a string of session guys that mostly came from the Crackin’ circle. The vocal harmonies are superior and Dupree’s confident vocals are warm and intense.

“Robbie Dupree” presents all but two original songs that are along the lines of the classiest stuff of the era. There’s a gorgeous ballad entitled “It’s A Feeling,” while “I’m No Stranger” is a groovin’ up-tempo tune. Another highlight, “Lonely Runner,” again written by Dupree, could easily belong to the Doobies’ “Minute By Minute.” There are two covers on the album; “Hot Rod Hearts” written by Bill Labounty and “We Both Tried,” a gem of a ballad coming straight from Bill Champlin’s album, “Single.” “Hot Rod Hearts” was the second single off “Robbie Dupree” and reached #15 on the charts. Dupree’s take of “We Both Tried,” co-written by David Foster and Champlin, is noteworthy and the singer’s nostalgic vocals are a perfect match to Champlin’s bittersweet lyrics. It is interesting to point out that “We Both Tried” was also covered in 1980 by two R&B groups: Tavares under Foster’s top notch production for their “Supercharged” album and Revelation for their self-titled record.

Through the years Dupree didn’t achieve any other huge chart success, but he kept releasing quality records filled with great music. Recently, he has collaborated with Italian music-maker Marco Taggiasco for “Got To Believe,” a welcome trip back into the best sounds of the early eighties. Check it out!


Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/we_both_tried2.mp3|titles=We both tried|artists=Robbie Dupree]


Lead Vocals: Robbie Dupree
Keyboards: Bill Elliott
Drums: Peter Bunetta
Percussion: Peter Bunetta, Robbie Dupree, Alan Estes
Guitars: Brian Ray, Dennis Herring, Bob Bordy
Bass: Rich Chudacoff
Background Vocals: Arno Lucas, Leslie Smith, Joe Turano

Produced by Peter Bunetta & Rich Chudacoff


Lyrics

What can you do with love
decides to pass you by
the more we try
the less we get along
there comes a time
in every life when right and wrong
is what comes between us
we’ve seen us fall apart
down to the seams
dreams

We both tried
then love died
old standbys were nice tries
so goodbye
We both lied
to ourselves about each other
we both cried
cause we needed something better
old standbys were nice tries
so goodbye

Our love reminded me
of wishing on a start
it was hard to feel anything

We put us through the paces
with total disregard
for the love between us
refused to grow
refused to spread her wings
dreams

We both tried
everything within our power
then love died
by the minute, by the hour
old standbys were nice tries
so goodbye

We both tried
to ourselves about each other
we both cried
cause we needed something better
old stanbys were nice tries
so goodbye