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Like a Rock
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 27, 1986[1]
Studio
GenreRock
Length43:55
LabelCapitol
ProducerPunch Andrews, David N. Cole, Bob Seger
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band chronology
The Distance
(1982)
Like a Rock
(1986)
The Fire Inside
(1991)
Singles from Like a Rock
  1. "American Storm"
    Released: March 1986
  2. "Like a Rock"
    Released: May 1986
  3. "It's You"
    Released: August 1986
  4. "Miami"
    Released: November 1986
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[3]

Like a Rock is the thirteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Seger, released in 1986. The title track is best known for being featured in Chevrolet truck commercials throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

Content

[edit]

"Fortunate Son" is a live cover of the 1969 Creedence Clearwater Revival hit, recorded March 31, 1983 at Cobo Hall in Detroit. It was originally available only as the B-side of the "American Storm" single, and was added as a bonus track to the CD release of the album. The vinyl version ends with "Somewhere Tonight". The song "Miami" is featured in an episode of the TV series Miami Vice.

Seger said of "The Ring":

I’ll tell you a song that Don Henley really likes of mine and nobody ever played it on the radio. When I played it for him it knocked him out. It’s a song called "The Ring." I think it’s on my album Like A Rock. It’s a six- minute ballad and it deals with a specific subject matter about a failing marriage out in a rural area and the restlessness that is setting in. The marriage has gone to pot and the ring doesn’t mean anything any more and they’re trying to hold it together. The characters are very sharply drawn. Nobody ever played it on the radio but I love it.[4]

Cash Box said of "It's You" that "This mid-tempo ballad has a mellow country inflection with the customary Seger rock edge."[5] Billboard called it a "subdued mid-tempo song" that "fairly begs for a country cover."[6]

Cash Box called "Miami" a "more relaxed, meldodic outing."[7] Billboard called it a "wistful boogie that contemplates the immigrant's dilemma."[8]

This is the first studio album credited to "Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band" that does not feature the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section replacing the Silver Bullet Band on any tracks.

History

[edit]

The album was originally going to be named American Storm after the first track and was going to be released in December 1985, but it was delayed and the name was changed.[9]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Bob Seger, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."American Storm" 4:17
2."Like a Rock" 5:56
3."Miami" 4:40
4."The Ring" 5:35
5."Tightrope"Craig Frost, Seger4:31
6."The Aftermath"Frost, Seger3:30
7."Sometimes" 3:31
8."It's You" 4:03
9."Somewhere Tonight" 4:25
10."Fortunate Son"John Fogerty3:20
Deluxe Edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Shakedown"Seger, Harold Faltermeyer, Keith Forsey4:03
12."Blue Monday"Dave Bartholomew2:23

Personnel

[edit]

As listed in the liner notes.[10]

  • Bob Seger – guitar (1), piano (3), acoustic guitar (4), vocals (1–10)

Silver Bullet Band

[edit]

Additional musicians

[edit]

Guitars

Drums and percussion

Keyboards

  • Bill Payne – piano (1, 2, 6–9), piano solo (8), synthesizer (3, 4, 8)
  • David Cole – synthesizer solo (8)

Horns

Additional vocals

Production

[edit]
  • Producers: Punch Andrews, David N. Cole, Bob Seger
  • Engineers: David N. Cole, Greg Edward, Shelly Yakus
  • Assistant engineers: David Axelbaum, Bob Castle, Judy Clapp, Peter Doell, Steve Himelfarb
  • Mixing: Punch Andrews, David N. Cole, Bob Seger
  • Mastering: Wally Traugott
  • Horn arrangements: Jerry Hey, Alto Reed
  • Art direction: Bill Burks, Roy Kohara
  • Design: Mark Shoolery
  • Photography: Aaron Rapoport

Charts

[edit]

Singles

Year Song title Billboard chart Peak
1986 "American Storm" Mainstream Rock Tracks 2[23]
Hot 100 13[24]
"Fortunate Son" Mainstream Rock Tracks 9[25]
"It's You" Adult Contemporary 22[26]
Mainstream Rock Tracks 8[27]
Hot 100 52[28]
"Like a Rock" Adult Contemporary 21[29]
Mainstream Rock Tracks 1[30]
Hot 100 12[31]
"Miami" Hot 100 70[32]
"Tightrope" Mainstream Rock Tracks 35[33]
"The Aftermath" Mainstream Rock Tracks 9[34]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Like a Rock is the thirteenth studio album by American rock singer-songwriter Bob Seger and his backing band the Silver Bullet Band, released on April 15, 1986, by Capitol Records. Featuring nine original tracks in the heartland rock style, the album explores themes of aging, resilience, and American working-class life, produced by Seger and Punch Andrews at studios in Hollywood and Miami. It debuted at number 47 on the Billboard 200 and ultimately peaked at number 3, spending 62 weeks on the chart and earning platinum certification from the RIAA for over one million units sold in the United States. The album's title track, "Like a Rock", served as the second single, released in May 1986, and topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart for two weeks while reaching number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Written by Seger as a reflection on the unshakeable confidence of youth contrasted with the vulnerabilities of middle age, the song's anthemic lyrics and driving rhythm made it a standout, bolstered by a music video directed by David Hogan that depicted Seger's live performance energy. Other singles included "American Storm" (number 13 on the Hot 100) and "It's You" (number 22 on the Mainstream Rock chart), contributing to the album's commercial success amid Seger's established status as a Detroit rock icon. Beyond its musical impact, "Like a Rock" gained enduring cultural prominence as the theme for Chevrolet's "Like a Rock" advertising campaign for trucks, launched in 1991 and running for 13 years until the end of the 2004 model year. Created by advertising executive Donald Gould at Campbell-Ewald, the campaign paired the song with visuals of rugged truck performance and everyday American dependability, transforming it into a symbol of durability that boosted Chevrolet's market share and became one of the longest-running ad slogans in automotive history. Seger initially declined licensing the track but relented after learning of its resonance with General Motors workers, leading to over 100 commercials that aired nationwide.

Background

Album development

Following the success of his 1982 album The Distance, Bob Seger sought to evolve his sound beyond the high-energy rock anthems of his earlier work, incorporating more introspective and reflective themes drawn from his personal experiences, including relationship challenges and the passage of time. This shift was motivated by a desire to connect with a maturing audience, moving toward heartland rock that balanced authenticity with broader emotional resonance. Development of Like a Rock spanned 1984 to 1985, during which Seger took a nearly three-year break from touring after the exhaustive promotion of The Distance, allowing him to focus on songwriting and experimentation without external pressures. He recorded approximately 25 demos across multiple locations, including initial sessions in Michigan studios, with plans for an album release in 1984 that was ultimately scrapped in favor of refining the material for greater depth. This period marked Seger's decision to emphasize themes of nostalgia and personal growth, aiming to appeal to listeners beyond his core rock fanbase. Key influences on Seger's vision included Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, whose polished yet rootsy production on albums like Born in the U.S.A. (1984) inspired Seger to pursue a similarly authentic sound with universal themes. Seger expressed admiration for Springsteen's ability to blend maturity with passion, noting that it encouraged him to avoid overly patriotic motifs and instead highlight wistful reflections on youth. For production, Seger opted to self-produce, drawing on ideas from past collaborations but prioritizing his own control to achieve a refined heartland aesthetic during the preparatory phase.

Initial songwriting

Bob Seger served as the primary songwriter for the majority of tracks on Like a Rock, penning eight of the ten songs solo while collaborating with longtime Silver Bullet Band keyboardist Craig Frost on two others, "Tightrope" and "Somewhere Tonight." These co-writes emerged from collaborative sessions where Frost contributed melodic ideas to Seger's lyrical frameworks, helping shape mid-tempo rockers that balanced the album's introspective tone with energetic drive. The title track, "Like a Rock," drew deeply from Seger's personal reflections on aging, resilience, and the challenges faced by the American working class in the 1980s, capturing a sense of unyielding strength amid life's transitions. Seger composed it following the end of an 11-year relationship, evoking memories of youthful vigor from his late teens, including high school track experiences symbolizing endurance. In a 1986 interview, he explained, “‘Like a Rock’ was inspired partly by the end of a relationship I had that had lasted for 11 years,” emphasizing themes of lost freedom and maturity that resonated with blue-collar audiences navigating economic shifts. Seger's songwriting process for the album contrasted ballads with rockers, often starting with simple acoustic sketches to explore emotional depth before expanding into fuller band arrangements. For instance, the anthemic ballad "Like a Rock" began as a stripped-down demo focused on lyrical introspection, evolving through iterative revisions into a sweeping production that amplified its themes of perseverance. Rockers like "American Storm," meanwhile, were crafted more rapidly to channel urgent social commentary, such as critiques of 1980s excess, drawing from Seger's reading of Bob Woodward's Wired on John Belushi's struggles with addiction. This selective approach allowed ballads to prioritize narrative vulnerability while rockers emphasized rhythmic propulsion. Much of the songwriting occurred between 1983 and 1985, amid a creative hiatus after The Distance, with Seger completing key tracks like "Like a Rock" during a period of personal turmoil that informed the album's thematic consistency around relationships and fortitude. He wrote over two dozen songs during this time, scrapping most to refine a cohesive set that aligned with the project's focus on heartfelt, working-class narratives.

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording sessions for Like a Rock occurred during 1985 and 1986, with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band establishing a residency at Capitol Studios in Hollywood to capture the album's core tracks. Background vocals were tracked at the Power Station studio in New York, contributing to the album's layered harmonies. Several songs were also recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida, where the warm acoustic environment helped shape the record's intimate feel. The sessions featured a collaborative workflow blending live band performances with selective overdubs, particularly for the rhythm section, to maintain the group's raw energy while allowing precision. Core members like bassist Chris Campbell and saxophonist Alto Reed participated alongside session players, including multiple drummers—Russ Kunkel on tracks like "American Storm" and "Like a Rock," John Robinson on several others, and Gary Mallaber on "The Ring"—reflecting adaptive band dynamics to achieve the desired drive amid scheduling demands. This multi-drummer approach addressed logistical challenges, ensuring consistent momentum without compromising the Silver Bullet Band's cohesive sound.

Production techniques

The production of Like a Rock was spearheaded by Bob Seger, Punch Andrews, and co-producer David Cole, emphasizing a polished and accessible sound that refined the raw energy of Seger's earlier 1970s work into a more radio-oriented clarity suitable for broader commercial appeal. This approach involved capturing a live band feel during sessions, with key performances like the title track's vocals and the song "Miami" nailed in just four takes to preserve organic spontaneity while enhancing overall precision. Recording spanned multiple studios, including Criteria Studios in Miami for tracks like "Like a Rock," where the focus on high-fidelity elements helped integrate rock foundations with subtle pop influences. Techniques prioritized live instrumentation, such as Seger's use of an Ovation Adamas acoustic guitar and a Fender Thinline Telecaster for rhythmic drive, alongside a 24-year-old Bösendorfer grand piano and Yamaha PF-15 electric piano for melodic depth. The mixing phase, lasting four months, applied limiting and compression to deliver punchy drums and prominent keyboards, creating a powerful, clear sonic profile optimized for car radio playback and blending Seger's signature rock intensity with contemporary polish. This meticulous process, informed by sessions across Michigan, Muscle Shoals, Miami, and Capitol Studios in Hollywood, underscored a commitment to high-fidelity execution amid the album's three-year development.

Musical content

Overall style and influences

Like a Rock is classified as heartland rock, a genre characterized by straightforward rock infused with Americana themes and working-class narratives, incorporating elements of arena rock's anthemic scale and adult contemporary's melodic accessibility. This album marked Seger's evolution from his earlier bar-band roots in Detroit's raw, high-energy rock scene to a more polished mainstream sound suitable for stadium audiences. The record draws key influences from Bruce Springsteen's narrative-driven storytelling, as heard in Born in the U.S.A. (1984), which emphasized personal and societal reflections through vivid, character-focused songs, alongside the refined, stadium-oriented production style prevalent in 1980s heartland rock by artists like John Mellencamp. Structurally, the album balances uptempo rockers, such as the driving "American Storm," with introspective ballads like "The Fire Inside," resulting in tracks averaging 4 to 5 minutes in length to maintain radio-friendly pacing. Instrumentation features prominent keyboards from Craig Frost and Bill Payne, layered with electric guitars by Rick Vito, Dawayne Bailey, and others such as Pete Carr and Fred Tackett, crafting a textured mid-1980s mainstream rock sound that blends electronic sheen with classic guitar-driven energy.

Song analyses

The title track "Like a Rock" is a slow-building ballad that opens with an acoustic guitar intro, gradually escalating to an electric crescendo driven by slide guitar solos from Rick Vito, culminating in a runtime of 5:36. Lyrically, it explores themes of perseverance and nostalgia for the unburdened freedom of late teens, with Seger reflecting on the discipline and tenacity from his high school track days as a metaphor for enduring life's challenges. Seger has stated that the song was partly inspired by the end of an 11-year relationship, capturing a sense of lost youth amid maturing responsibilities: “‘Like a Rock’ was inspired partly by the end of a relationship I had that had lasted for 11 years… it expresses my feeling that the best years of your life are in your late teens when you have no special commitments and no career.” "American Storm," written solely by Seger, delivers a high-energy rocker propelled by driving rhythm guitar and an uptempo pulse, serving as the album's lead single. Thematically, it warns against the destructive allure of cocaine abuse, drawing from Seger's observations of the drug epidemic spreading from Hollywood to the American heartland, rather than any personal experience. Seger clarified its intent in interviews, noting the song's frequent misinterpretation as a patriotic anthem: “About cocaine… I wrote it after reading ‘Wired,’ Bob Woodward’s biography of John Belushi… the plague has spread into the heartland,” and emphasizing, “I’m talking about drugs… Drugs are destroying so many people and I thought I ought to stand up and be counted.” "Somewhere Tonight" unfolds as a mid-tempo track anchored by evocative keyboard hooks that underscore its introspective mood, allowing the Silver Bullet Band's interplay—particularly between Seger's raspy vocals and the rhythm section—to highlight emotional depth. The lyrics delve into motifs of escapism and relational disconnection, portraying scenes of refusal, misunderstanding, and wintery isolation as metaphors for longing amid personal turmoil. Seger revealed it stemmed from the dissolution of his 11-year partnership with Jan Dinsdale, marked by repeated breakups and emotional numbness: “That was written when I was breaking up with Jan after 11 years together. The relationship was so dead and gone that it was just numb… We had broken up about eight times in two years. I don’t know why we kept hanging on. Just our shared history, I guess. We couldn’t admit defeat.” Among the lesser-known tracks, "Miami" stands out with its funky bass lines propelling a rhythmic groove that evokes the city's pulsating energy, paired with lyrics offering a satirical nod to 1980s excess through contrasts of glamour and gritty reality. The song centers on the 1980 Mariel boatlift, chronicling the arrival of 125,000 Cubans seeking freedom only to confront discrimination, crime, and bureaucratic lines in Miami, challenging America's self-image as a beacon of opportunity. Seger, who resided in the Miami area for three months in 1983, drew from firsthand observations of these social tensions, blending optimism in the immigrants' pursuit with critique of societal barriers.

Release and promotion

Commercial release

Like a Rock was released on April 14, 1986, by Capitol Records in LP, cassette, and CD formats. The album's packaging featured a printed inner sleeve with photographs, lyrics, and production credits. Initial distribution targeted the United States market, with simultaneous or near-contemporary releases in Canada, Europe (including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal), Australia, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, and India. Variants included promotional pressings, such as white-label test pressings in Australia, and early digital audio disc corporation (DADC) CDs in the US; the album was later remastered and reissued digitally in 2011.

Singles and marketing

The lead single from Like a Rock, "American Storm", was released in March 1986 and peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The second single, "Like a Rock", was released in May 1986 and peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The accompanying music video featured the band performing in a studio setting. The third single, "It's You", was released in August 1986 and peaked at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 on the Mainstream Rock chart. These releases were supported by Capitol Records' targeted marketing campaign, which allocated significant resources to radio promotion, securing heavy airplay on rock and adult contemporary stations to appeal to Seger's core working-class audience. Promotion extended to television appearances, including a performance on Late Night with David Letterman in September 1986, where Seger showcased tracks from the album to broaden exposure. The strategy also integrated with Seger's extensive 1986-1987 tour, where singles were highlighted in setlists to drive concert attendance and album sales among blue-collar demographics.

Commercial performance

Chart positions

Like a Rock achieved notable success on major music charts, particularly in North America and the UK, reflecting Bob Seger's enduring popularity in the mid-1980s rock scene. The album's performance was bolstered by the release of its lead single "American Storm" in advance of the LP and subsequent singles like the title track, which helped drive its climb on the charts. Its chart run demonstrated Seger's ability to maintain commercial momentum through a combination of radio airplay and live tour support. In the United States, Like a Rock peaked at number 3 on the Billboard 200, Seger's strongest showing since Against the Wind topped the chart in 1980. The album debuted on April 19, 1986, and reached its peak position on May 24, 1986, holding there for four consecutive weeks. It maintained a presence on the Billboard 200 into 1987, underscoring the album's lasting appeal amid Seger's extensive touring. Internationally, the album saw moderate success, with peaks in the top 40 in several markets due to crossover from U.S. sales and promotion.
CountryChartPeak PositionWeeks on Chart
United StatesBillboard 200362+ (charted through mid-1987)
CanadaRPM 100 Albums3553
United KingdomUK Albums Chart356

Sales certifications

"Like a Rock" achieved significant commercial success in the United States, where it was certified Platinum by the RIAA on May 28, 1986, denoting sales of 1 million copies. The album has sold over 5 million copies in the United States. The album performed strongly on year-end charts, reaching #22 on the Billboard 200 for 1986, bolstered by robust holiday season sales that contributed to its longevity. Internationally, "Like a Rock" was certified Gold (50,000 units) and Platinum (100,000 units) by Music Canada on August 19, 1986, in that market. The album's commercial endurance was further supported by Seger's 1986 tour, which grossed $20 million and helped drive additional sales momentum.

Critical and cultural reception

Contemporary reviews

Upon its release in April 1986, Like a Rock received generally favorable reviews from critics, who commended Bob Seger's matured songwriting and the album's blend of heartfelt rock anthems with introspective themes resonant in the Reagan-era cultural landscape. The Los Angeles Times described the album as evoking a sense of stagnation in Seger's established formula after a four-year hiatus, yet praised its underlying theme of personal renewal, noting that it "surfaces in frequently unexpected ways," such as the anti-drug message in "American Storm" and the title track's critique of the music industry's pressures. Reviewer Chris Willman highlighted how these elements reflected Seger's evolution, positioning the record as a sturdy return to his blue-collar roots amid broader American narratives of resilience and identity. Similarly, The New York Times lauded the album's commercial viability and emotional depth, stating it possessed "all the qualities that have made [Seger] one of rock's most reliable hitmakers: sturdy, blue-collar anthems, romantic ballads and songs about the road, all delivered in his trademark raspy baritone." The publication emphasized Seger's everyman appeal, akin to contemporaries like Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, as a key factor in its immediate resonance with audiences navigating 1980s societal shifts. Overall, initial critical consensus positioned Like a Rock as a solid, if predictable, extension of Seger's style.

Long-term legacy

The title track "Like a Rock" achieved enduring prominence through its licensing for Chevrolet's "Like a Rock" advertising campaign, which promoted the brand's trucks from 1991 to 2004 and became one of the longest-running and most iconic auto ad series in history. Originally intended as a short-term placement lasting three to six months, the campaign's success in evoking themes of resilience and reliability extended it for 13 years, significantly enhancing Seger's visibility among younger audiences and revitalizing interest in his catalog. Seger, a Michigan native, later expressed pride in the partnership, noting it helped sell numerous trucks and support jobs in his home state's automotive industry. The album's themes of perseverance, aging, and working-class life solidified its status as a symbol of 1980s blue-collar American ethos, resonating with heartland rock's emphasis on authentic, relatable narratives. This influence extended to subsequent artists in the genre, contributing to revivals that echoed Seger's blend of rock energy and introspective storytelling. The song's association with Chevrolet further cemented its cultural footprint, transforming it into an anthem for durability and everyday heroism often invoked in sports broadcasts and motivational contexts. Retrospective evaluations have highlighted the album's lasting rock appeal, with AllMusic praising its solid execution of familiar Seger territory in a review that noted its echoes of Bruce Springsteen while affirming its craftsmanship. The album's platinum certification reflects its sustained commercial endurance, underscoring Seger's role as a enduring figure in American rock.

Track listing and personnel

Track listing

All tracks are written by Bob Seger, except where noted. The original 1986 release contains nine tracks with a total runtime of 43:55; the track listing is identical across vinyl and CD formats, with no bonus tracks included.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1American StormSeger4:00
2Like a RockSeger5:54
3MiamiSeger4:39
4The RingSeger5:32
5TightropeSeger, Frost4:30
6The AftermathSeger3:28
7SometimesSeger3:30
8It's YouSeger4:01
9Somewhere TonightSeger, Frost4:21

Core musicians

The core lineup of the Silver Bullet Band provided the foundational sound for Bob Seger's 1986 album Like a Rock, with each member contributing key instrumental and creative elements drawn from their longstanding collaboration. Bob Seger served as lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and pianist on select tracks such as "Somewhere Tonight" and "Miami." Alto Reed, the band's multi-instrumentalist, played saxophone, flutes, and various horns across the album, while also arranging the horn sections to enhance its rock anthems. Craig Frost rounded out the rhythm section on keyboards—including organ, piano, and synthesizer—and provided backing vocals; he also co-wrote two tracks, "Tightrope" and "Somewhere Tonight," with Seger, adding melodic depth to those songs. Chris Campbell anchored the bass guitar on every track, delivering the steady groove that defined the band's heartland rock style. Charlie Martin, the longtime drummer, remained a core member of the Silver Bullet Band despite severe health issues stemming from a 1977 car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down, though session drummers filled his role on the recordings.

Guest contributors

Shaun Murphy contributed backing and harmony vocals to several tracks on Like a Rock, including "Miami," where her soulful delivery complemented Seger's lead. She also appeared on "Tightrope" and "Somewhere Tonight," adding layered vocal depth to these songs. Russ Kunkel provided additional drums on key tracks, such as the opening "American Storm" and the title song "Like a Rock," bringing a solid, nuanced groove to the album's ballads and rockers. The horn sections, arranged by saxophonist Alto Reed and trumpeter Jerry Hey, featured brass accents on "American Storm," with Hey performing trumpet to punctuate the track's driving energy. Overall, around 10 guest contributors participated in the album, including additional guitarists like Fred Tackett and Rick Vito, and vocalists such as Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit, all selected to subtly enhance the Silver Bullet Band's established sound without dominating it.

References

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