Broadway is a fine ballad and a moody reflection os show business traumas. Hunter showcases his piano and vocals backed by a Broadway-style choir. Perhaps reminiscing of Mott The Hoople as the first rock band on Broadway this ditty is about a girl who is seeking success on The Great White Way.
The production limitations of the LP notwithstanding several songs are standouts from this LP and Broadway is one such example. Hunter thinks a great deal about Broadway and he considers it among the best slow songs he's ever written. The downside according to Ian is the lack of an effective hook and chorus. Although there are numerous rock life type of tunes in the Hunter oeuvre this song is similar except applied to aspirations of stage stardom. The words contrast the lights of Broadway with the darkness of the aspirant:
"But chances are you'll find out on Broadway Who you really are."Brilliant.There is a live version also from 2005 in Norway which is unusual since songs from this LP rarely made it into a live set.
Broadway
(Ian Hunter)
Green lights on Broadway
All the magic seems to say
Come and ride with me baby you know
It's got to be the greatest show on Broadway
Out here on the streets they say
You can see your life in one day
I long I long I long I long I long to hear every single street singer
Oh what a mood that feeling brings
You can capture life in a jar
Chances are that you'll find out on Broadway Who you really are
Sitting in a lonely room
Staring through the evening gloom
She'll never make the grade on Broadway
She'll never spend exciting nights
Surrounded by a maze of lights
And stars that line the streets on Broadway
Broadway
When the neon lights are shining bright
She knows she's going to make it someday
Broadway
You can hear the music of the night
She knows that she will
Broadway
When the neon lights are shining bright
Oh I know she's going to make it some day
Broadway
You can hear the music of the night
I know that she will
I said
Broadway
Oh how I love you how I love you
Broadway
How I love you how I love you
Broadway
It's your show I know I know
But chances are you'll find out on Broadway Who you really are Ian Hunter LP/CD: "Overnight Angels"
Sleeve and track listing
Sony/Columbia 474781-2.
Review
After receiving (and turning down) several offers in 1976, Ian realised he wanted to be in a band again. After the less than commercial success of Alien Boy, he went in to the studios wanting to record fast songs again (having recorded Alien Boy never wanting to do a fast song again!). With Roy Thomas Baker producing (he had produced several Queen albums), this should have been a monster.
The result could almost be described heavy metal - it is certainly not a typical Ian Hunter album. The rockers are certainly there, but the production is too thin - everything is at the same level in the mix (up front!), with Ian's voice almost drowned out at times.
Released when punk was at its height, the album and subsequent tour received mixed reviews. Columbia in the States was more forthright - they refused to release it (although a few test pressings exist). Ian would soon part company from CBS/Columbia and Fred Heller (his manager), and soon disowned the album, describing it as "that horrible album" and "a mistake", and hasn't played any track from it in concert since.
| Broadway | 3:47 | Originally issued on Overnight Angels. It can also be found on the compilations Gold and Once Bitten - the CBS Collection. |
| Broadway (live 29th April 2005) | (6:38) | This live version (recorded at the Nidaros Blues Festival, Trondheim Norway) was released on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 3) (box set only). |
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