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 "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":
Cash Box said of "It's You" that "This mid-tempo ballad has a mellow country inflection with the customary Seger rock edge." Billboard called it a "subdued mid-tempo song" that "fairly begs for a country cover."
Cash Box called "Miami" a "more relaxed, meldodic outing." Billboard called it a "wistful boogie that contemplates the immigrant's dilemma."
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 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.Billboard, November 2, 1985
Track listing
Personnel As listed in the liner notes.
Bob Seger – guitar (1), piano (3), acoustic guitar (4), vocals (1–10)
Silver Bullet Band Craig Frost – organ (1–4, 7), piano (4, 10), synthesizer (5, 6, 8, 9) Chris Campbell – bass (1–10) Alto Reed – baritone saxophone (1, 7), tenor saxophone (3, 6), organ (10)
Additional musicians Guitars Pete Carr – guitar (1) Dawayne Bailey – acoustic guitar (2), electric guitar (10) Rick Vito – slide guitar (2, 5, 6), acoustic guitar (3, 4) Fred Tackett – acoustic guitar (4, 9), guitar solo (7) Dann Huff – guitar (7) Mark Chatfield – electric guitar (10) Drums and percussion Russ Kunkel – drums (1, 2) John Robinson – drums (3, 5–9) Gary Mallaber – drums (4) Don Brewer – drums (10) Paulinho da Costa – percussion (3, 6, 8) Keyboards Bill Payne – piano (1, 2, 6–9), piano solo (8), synthesizer (3, 4, 8) David Cole – synthesizer solo (8) Horns Gary Grant – trumpet (3) Gary Herbig – saxophone (3) Jerry Hey – trumpet (3, 6, 7) Kim Hutchcroft – saxophone (3, 7) Bill Reichenbach Jr. – trombone (3, 6, 7) Marc Russo – saxophone (3, 6, 7) Ernie Watts – saxophone (3, 6, 7) Additional vocals Douglas Kibble – background vocals (2) The Weather Girls (Izora Armstead and Martha Wash) – background vocals (2, 5, 6) Don Henley – background vocals (3) Timothy B. Schmit – background vocals (3) Laura Creamer – background vocals (5, 6, 8, 9) Mark Creamer – background vocals (5, 6, 8, 9) Donny Gerrard – background vocals (5, 6, 8, 9) Shaun Murphy – vocals (5), background vocals (6, 9), harmony vocals (7, 8)
Production 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
Weekly charts Chart (1986) Peak position Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 24
Year-end charts Chart (1986) Position US Billboard 200 22
Singles
Year Song title Billboard chart Peak 1986 "American Storm"Mainstream Rock Tracks2 Hot 100 13"Fortunate Son" Mainstream Rock Tracks9 "It's You"Adult Contemporary 22Mainstream Rock Tracks 8Hot 100 52 "Like a Rock"Adult Contemporary 21Mainstream Rock Tracks 1Hot 100 12"Miami" Hot 10070"Tightrope" Mainstream Rock Tracks35"The Aftermath"Mainstream Rock Tracks9
References