The Theme From Hill Street Blues [1981; Elektra]

With Mike Post handling the music for both tracks on this single, the A-side is a Joey Scarbury piece only due to his vocals. Despite sounding a bit like elevator music in parts, and having significant cheesiness to the singing and guitar, the “Greatest American Hero” theme is a powerful earworm, thanks to its hooky chorus and melody. The “Hill Street Blues” theme is much more sedate in comparison, though it brings in the same chintzy electric guitar, but it shows a greater level of nuance to Post’s song-writing. A neat little piece of ‘80s pop culture ephemera.

George Benson – Turn Your Love Around / Nature Boy [1981; Warner Bros. Records]

On this single’s A-side, George Benson combines his soulful singing with some synthed-up disco flavor, putting a big burst of energy into the choruses. The groove hits firm, and the multi-tracked vocals give each other good reinforcement, but aside from the main hook, it ends up not being too memorable. The cover of “Nature Boy” on the B-side applies the same electrodisco style, but lets the melody take the lead, resulting in a more engaging and funky piece. Neither song is really great, but both are enjoyable.

Here’s the cover art used in the UK.

In France.

Italy.

And Japan.

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