Robin Johnson

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This 6-track, white-labelled, white-sleeved record was used by RSO to promote the Times Square soundtrack in the U.S. As there was no art, it may be the most boring promotional item released. It would have been distributed to radio stations, and copies were later handed out at the film’s premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater, or at the party afterward at Tavern on the Green, on October 14, 1980.

Can’t argue with the track list for Side One: “Life During Wartime” and “Talk of the Town” are two of the best songs on the soundtrack, and “Damn Dog” IS the film. Side Two starts with “Rock Hard” and closes with “Same Old Scene,” two more winners, and in between is sandwiched “Help Me!” which was Robert Stigwood hedging his bets.

Would you buy the double-album soundtrack based on this? There certainly is no incentive anywhere in this package to go see the movie. I wonder if the lack of a picture sleeve was of any note to the people who got this record at the premiere.

I do note that Norman Ross’s writing credit is absent from “Damn Dog.” Yes, I didn’t know who he was before last Christmas, but now I am righteously angry on his behalf.