Go All The Way – Raspberries | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#5); 1972
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Around Cleveland, Ohio in 1970 the Raspberries were brewing up a blend of Beach Boys/ Beatles/Byrds harmonies and catchy riffs that would become known as power-pop.
After a few personnel shifts, the core lineup settled down to lead singer Eric Carmen of Cyrus Erie along with drummer Jim Bonfanti, guitarist Wally Bryson, and rhythm guitarist Dave Smalley, the latter three from the Choir, famous for 1967’s It’s Cold Outside.
The Raspberries’ lead-off single, Don’t Want To Say Goodbye, stalled at #86 in May of 1972. On May 22 Capitol Records released Go All The Way over the vehement objections of writer – and, on Go, bass player – Eric Carmen who felt it sounded “awful.”
Enamored of Brian Wilson’s work with the Beach Boys, Eric worked hard at crafting pop songs that surprised listeners. For Go All The Way he went against the conventional current, creating an ultra-short verse and super-long chorus. His work paid off as Go All The Way went all the way to #5.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Jimmy Ienner
Lyrics Written by:
- Eric Carmen
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).