Tag: Mike Ladano

For My Sunday Song #398, we are to the next Japanese Bonus selection in Mike’s Choices. This time around we have the song “Straight Down the Line” by the band Shaw Blades. This short lived band of two great friends consisted of Night Ranger’s Jack Blades and Styx’s own Tommy Shaw. The boys were also part of the supergroup Damn Yankees. This song was written by both and was the Japanese Bonus track on the stellar debut album simply titled Shaw Blades. Later, Tommy did include it on his album 7 Deadly Zens but with Kevin Cronan on backing vocals instead of Jack (and that is the one I have the video for…sorry).

The song seems to be about a woman Tommy loves but she doesn’t love him back. She is out trying to find herself and that one thing to complete her and they are all dead end roads like a trip to Mexico, voodoo, a new age guru, being a Hollywood Star. When she looks in the mirror, I don’t know if anyone is looking back. She seems empty. He still loves her and hopes she’s thinking of him and will come back to him. He believes she’s the one for him. I hope she finds herself. She reminds me of Jenny and Forrest Gump.

What does Mike have to say about the song…”Straight Down the Line” is the gem.  It’s the fastest song of the whole bunch, upbeat but light, and a blast in the car.  Tommy’s intricate little lightning fast guitar hook is a tasty delight.  Tracks like this are why collectors really seek out Japanese imports.  They are their own rewards.” And he isn’t wrong on his view of the song. There is a light, upbeat feeling despite the sadness in the lyrics of this lost go trying to find herself. The guitar work is great and it is such a catchy, airy song. I will have to go crank it in the car and see if he’s right about it being a blast. I have a feeling he is!