DJ Allyn – The Soundtrack for my Life

Go All The Way – The Raspberries  

Raspberries are a power pop/pop rock band from Cleveland, Ohio in the United States. They had a run of success in the 1970s music scene with their crisp pop sound, which Allmusic later described as featuring “exquisitely crafted melodies and achingly gorgeous harmonies.” The members were known for their clean-cut public image, with short-hair and matching suits, which brought them teenybopper attention as well as scorn from some mainstream media outlets as ‘uncool’.^[2] The group drew influence from the British Invasion era — especially The Beatles, The Who, The Hollies, and The Small Faces — and its mod sensibility. In both the U.S. and the U.K., the Raspberries helped pioneer the power pop music style that took off after the group disbanded

The group’s original lineup consisted of Eric Carmen (vocalist/guitarist/bassist), Wally Bryson (guitarist), Jim Bonfanti (drummer), and Dave Smalley (guitarist/bassist). Their best known songs include “Go All The Way”, “Let’s Pretend”, “I Wanna Be With You”, “Tonight”, and “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)”. Producer Jimmy Ienner was responsible for all the Raspberries’ albums in the 1970s, which often attempted to replicate Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” production techniques. The group broke up in 1975 after a five year run, and Eric Carmen proceeded to a successful career as a solo artist. Bryson and Smalley resurrected the group’s name in 2000 and continue to tour, taking in indie pop singer/songwriter Scott McCarl working as the vocalist.

Correction:

According to Jim Bonfanti in a comment below:

“The project that Dave and Wally worked on in 2000 did include Scott but it did not do any touring. The original lineup did reform in 2004 and tour until 2007. Our last show was in April of 2009 at the Rock Hall for the Induction weekend.”

Go all The Way

“Go All the Way” is a hit single by the Raspberries, released in July 1972. It was written by band leader Eric Carmen, who also provided lead vocals, and co-written by Wally Bryson.  Because of its sexually suggestive lyrics, considered risque for the day, the song was banned by the BBC.

I never knew how complete love could be
Till she kissed me and said
Baby, please, go all the way
It feels so right
Being with you here tonight
Please, go all the way
Just hold me close
Don’t ever let me go

I couldn’t say what I wanted to say
Till she whispered, I love you
So, please, go all the way
It feels so right
Being with you here tonight
Please, go all the way
Just hold me close
Don’t ever let me go

[Instrumental Interlude]

Before her love
I was cruel and mean
I had a hole in the place
Where my heart should have been
But now I’ve changed
And it feels so strange
I come alive when she does
All those things to me
And she says

(Come on), come on
(Come on)
(Come on), come on
(Come on)
I need you (come on)
I love you (come on)
I need you (come on)
(Come on)

Please, go all the way
It feels so right
Being with you here tonight
Please, go all the way
Just hold me close
Don’t ever let me go, oh, no

• Audio from the 1972 album, Raspberries:

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