From BETWEEN A ROCK & A HYDE PLACE – THE BEST OF PAYOLA$
Written by David Foster, Paul Hyde, Bob Rock & Miriam Nelson
In the early Eighties, David Foster brought both Chicago with Chicago 16 and Chicago 17 and The Tubes with The Completion Backward Principle and Outside Inside to impressive heights on Billboard’s various charts. These triumphs in the pop/rock arena paved the way for Foster’s subsequent work with the critically-acclaimed Canadian rock/new wave band, The Payola$.
In 1985, The Payola$ had a contract with A&M Records. They were looking for their big break in the USA after receiving good results on the first three albums in their home country. The Vancouver-originated group also spawned a few Top 40 singles in Canada including “Eyes Of A Stranger” and “Never Said I Love You.” The Payola$, probably pushed by their record company, changed their name to Paul Hyde & The Payolas. Paul Hyde was the lead singer/songwriter of the group and co-leader with guitarist/sound engineer Bob Rock. The decision to change the name was made for the band so they could enter the American market with a solid name instead of being a faceless band with a questionable name. The most significant step the band made was to hire Foster to man the producer’s seat. The Hitman brought his pop sensibility, superior craftsmanship and fantastic production skills. The musical partnership resulted in a great pop/rock album entitled Here’s The World For Ya. Foster’s catchy, keyboard-driven atmospheres and slick string and horn arrangements were tailor-made for North American radio playing, but the sound was a far cry from The Payola$’ unique eclectic mix of rock, punk and new wave. So Here’s The World For Ya with its pop flavors attracted some new fans, but probably lost the original fan base. The album eventually made an appearance on Billboard’s Album chart, but without breaking the group in the US . One single, “You’re The Only Love,” was co-written by Foster, was a minor hit and already reviewed in our archives. The album was a solid hit in Canada , was certified gold there and yielded four hits on the charts. The title-track was one of those singles and one heck of a power ballad.
Co-written by Foster with the group and sporting Hyde’s very personal lyrics, “Here’s The World” was a song that featured Foster’s trademark sounds like the prominent keyboards and synths, lush strings and beautifully conceived lead and backing vocals. Sonically, it borrows some of Foster’s magic from his hit work on ballads including Chicago ’s “Hard Habit To Break” and The Tubes’ “I Don’t Want To Wait Anymore.” Hyde said that the song’s positive lyrics were a message of encouragement to his son and his evocative vocals were completely noteworthy.
Here’s The World For Ya hasn’t been released on cd yet. Those interested can pick up one of the best-of compilations titled Between A Rock & A Hyde Place – The Best Of Payola$ and 20thCentury Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best Of The Payola$. Both records include the title-track reviewed here and other Foster-produced goodies.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Heres-the-world-by-Paul-Hyde-The-Payolas.mp3|titles=Here’s The World|artists=Paul Hyde]
Lead Vocals: Paul Hyde
Guitars: Bob Rock
Bass: Alex Boynton
Drums: Chris Taylor
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Lyrics
Here’s the world, I can only help you go so far
Try to teach you wrong from right
How to take each day like a brand new day
Don’t worry ’bout me, cos who could ever ask for more
Listen to these words that I write
There’ll be no tears in my eyes tonight
Don’t let them fool you
Don’t let them tell you that you’ll never go far
Here’s the world for ya, here’s the world for ya
Go tell them who you are
Here’s the world for ya, here’s the world for ya
Go be a shining star
Take all my love and carry it inside of you
Know that I will always be there’s
Know that I will always care
Don’t let them fool you
Don’t let them tell you that you’ll never go far
Here’s the world for ya, here’s the world for ya
Go tell them who you are
Here’s the world for ya, here’s the world for ya
Go tell them who you are
Go be a shining star
And If I ever did wrong, please forgive me now
Before I am gone
And if I ever did right, tell me with a smile
That will light up this night, Light up this night
Here’s the world for ya, here’s the world for ya
Go tell them who you are
Here’s the world for ya, here’s the world for ya
Go be a shining star
You’ll be a star
Here’s the world for ya, here’s the world for ya
Go tell them who you are
Here’s the world for ya, here’s the world for ya
Go tell them who you are
Go be a shining star