In the early eighties, the successful album-oriented rock sound of groups like Toto, Styx, Journey and Foreigner were reproduced by many popular names around the world to attain some rock credibility. A good example is famous French singer Sheila, also known as Sheila & B. Devotion. This veteran pop singer had already reinvented herself in the late seventies as a disco queen with hits like “Singin’ in the Rain,” “You Light My Fire” and “Spacer,” written and produced by Chic. In 1981, she went to Los Angeles with the intent of recording an AOR album to present herself to American audiences. She hired Keith Olsen, famed producer of Pat Benatar, Heart and Journey, plus enlisted an A-list of songwriters and musicians including Mike Baird, Bill Champlin, Tom Kelly, Richard Page, Alan Pasqua and Tim Pierce. The end result was a solid collection of pop/rock songs entitled “Little Darlin’.”
The album included a faithful cover of the Airplay classic, “Stranded,” co-written by David Foster and Jay Graydon with Kelly. “Stranded” is a rousing rocker perfectly performed by the stellar backing musicians. Sheila’s voice may lack the power and strength needed for this kind of song, but the tight vocal support of Champlin, Kelly and Page help her bring home an effective performance.
There are other valid moments on “Little Darlin’,” especially the Champlin and Kelly up-tempo “I’m Still Believin'” and the title track co-written by Holly Knight and Amanda Blue that was a minor chart entry on Billboard’s Hot 100. “Little Darlin'” was recently reissued on cd with a bonus track entitled “Prisoner.” This album isn’t a masterpiece, but the songwriting and great musicianship are good listening for lovers of album-oriented rock.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/stranded.mp3|titles=Stranded|artists=Sheila]

Lead Vocal: Sheila
Drums: Mike Baird
Bass: Dennis Belfield & Rick Phillips
Guitars: Chas Sanford & Tim Pierce
Keyboards: Alan Pasqua & Bill Champlin
Background Vocals: Tom Kelly, Richard Page, Bill Champlin with Trevor Raven & Venette Gloud
Produced by Keith Olsen

Lyrics

You are dealing underhanded,so far
the closer that we get the more I’m stranded

I’m tangled in this situation
looks like you got the best of me
I’m handing in my resignation
sufferin’ a cold defeat for your love

I tell you secrets and you’re tellin’ me lies
you paint a picture and you cover my eyes
and since I found you I’ve been lost in the night
and feeling stranded,stranded – empty~handed
and I don’t know if I’ll ever survive
First you want to please me
then you want to tease me
lead me to your lock and throw away the only key

You are dealing underhanded,so far
the closer that we get the more I’m stranded

I’m takin’on a bad reaction
from putting on a one-man show
you’ll never give me satisfaction
I can’t hold on and can’t let go of your love

I tell you secrets and you’re tellin’ me lies
you paint a picture and you cover my eyes
and since I found you I’ve been lost in the night
and feeling stranded,stranded – empty~handed
and I don’t know if I’ll ever survive
First you want to please me
then you want to tease me
lead me to your lock and throw away the only key

You are dealing underhanded,so far
the closer that we get the more I’m stranded