Written for Glyn’s Mixed Music Bag week #29 where we are
asked to write about a song by a group or solo singer
beginning with the letter M or N.
Hard rock band Night Ranger was formed in San Francisco in 1982 and continued to gain popularity during the 1980s with a series of albums and singles. Guitarist Brad Gillis and drummer Kelly Keagy have been the band’s only constant members, though singer/bassist Jack Blades performed on all but one of their albums.
The band’s first five albums sold more than 17 million copies worldwide. They are best known for the 1984 power ballad “Sister Christian” which was inspired by drummer Kelly Keagy’s younger sister, Christy. Upon returning from a visit to his hometown of Eugene, Oregon, Keagy wrote the song after being astonished at the speed at which his ‘little’ sister was growing up. The song was the band’s biggest hit, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying on the charts for 24 weeks.
This is “Sister Christian”:
Another top 40 single in the 1980s for Night Ranger was “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me”, a song written by vocalist/bassist Jack Blades about a hypothetical relationship that is “fun and happy” until it no longer is after one person confesses they love the other, at which point it gets weird.
This is “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me”:
After their success waned in the late 1980s, the band split up in 1989 and its members pursued other musical endeavors including group and solo efforts. Night Ranger’s music is typically classified as hard rock, glam metal and arena rock.
Big thanks to Glyn for hosting Mixed Music Bag every week.
Thanks for joining me today and spinning some tunes.
See you on the flip side. 😎
NAR©2024
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
A lovely song! And what a performance! A nice share, Nancy!
LikeLike
I’ve only ever heard “Sister Christian” (cool backstory!) but it’s one that still pops up on the car radio, from rock, to classic to middle-of-the-road.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably because it doesn’t sound like it belongs in any one particular category.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never heard of them, but as they achieved the square root of diddly squat in the UK charts that’s hardly a surprise. They sound like a kind of Foreigner-lite, but did nothing for me I’m afraid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My first choices were Mountain and Nazareth but I figured they’re pretty popular and well-known …. why not go for the relatively obscure? 😂
I’m back! 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mountain were almost as obscure here too. For a reason, in both cases.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know the band and as far as I know, they never charted over here in the UK? Nice choice Nancy
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s cool, Glyn! I always enjoy introducing new music to my friends!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember Sister Christian, but I had no idea who did it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That happens fairly often with some of the more obscure names
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another lovely stroll down memory lane!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed these golden oldies, D!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many new tunes for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always happy to introduce my friends to new music!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi there Nancy. Splendid to have you back!
‘Sister Christian’ was used to great effect in the P.T.A movie ‘Boogie Nights’. Classic 80’s sound.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true …. among other movies as well.
Thanks, Matt! Great to be back!
LikeLiked by 1 person
17 million album sales … and I’d never heard of them! Then, I don’t suppose they’ve heard of this daft wee punk from Glasgow either. 😉 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it when I come up with a band people don’t know! It’s cool introducing new music to my friends.
Thanks, Cee Tee.
LikeLiked by 1 person