Cashbox Magazine described this week’s featured Great Song of the ‘8s as a “dense, multi-layered pop confection” that “keeps the listener on their toes throughout…going from a lazy tropical-type rhythm to a galloping brass section.”

“Take it Away” by Paul McCartney” is all of those things and more…especially when you add the contributions of Ringo Starr on drums and Beatles master producer George Martin on piano…not to mention some really solid background vocals by Linda McCartney and some extra dense and layered vocal harmonies provided by Eric Stewart of the group 10-CC.

“Take It Away” was a solid hit in the US, reaching #6 on both Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Chart as and the Cashbox Top 40. In Canada, it reached #2 on the AC Chart.

And here’s a fun fact: The video features actor John Hurt, playing “an important impresario.”

The take away from all this? “Take It Away” is definitely a Great Song of 1982!

For the stories behind more than 1,200 Great Songs of the ’70s and ’80s, visit my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/