Ridin’ The Storm Out Songs Ranked
Ridin’ the Storm Out is the third studio album by REO Speedwagon, released in 1973. It peaked at number 171 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1981, and reached platinum status in 1989. It was the first album to feature Mike Murphy on vocals. The sessions started out with Kevin Cronin, but he left the band before the album was finished, due to creative differences. The title track would later become a hit for the band on their live album, after Cronin had returned to the band. The song refers to the band being stuck in a harsh winter blizzard after a show in Boulder, Colorado, at a bar named Tulagi’s (now closed). The album includes a new composition by Stephen Stills, “Open Up”, which was never recorded by Stills himself or any of his bands, although “Know You Got to Run” from Stephen Stills 2 is essentially an embryonic version of the song. “Know You Got to Run” consists of only verses and uses a sombre acoustic folk arrangement, while “Open Up” includes a chorus and uses an up-tempo rock arrangement. Here are all of Ridin’ The Storm Out songs ranked. Here are all of Ridin’ The Storm Out songs ranked.
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10. Son of a Poor Man
“Son of a Poor Man” has an intro similar to Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited” before morphing into an upbeat, chugging-paced tune with fun lyrics that nicely captures the party atmosphere of the early 70’s (and the early days of the band). Great song overall.”
9. Movin’
“Movin” sounds a little incomplete with the less than stellar verse and tacky gospel vocals, but the lyrics about moving to California and getting a taste of the lifestyle there are really nice.”
8. Without Expression (Don’t Be that Man)
“Without Expression (Don’t Be That Man)” has exceptionally hoarse vocals courtesy of Murphy, but the melody is unbelievably heartfelt and wonderful. Easy to sing along with as well.”
See more: REO Speedwagon Albums Ranked
7. Find My Fortune
“Find My Fortune” has a Donny Osmond-like vocal melody but it’s really melodic so nobody can complain! This is the sound of REO before they became pop artists. Most of the people I know like the sound of REO from this era.”
6. Open Up
“Open Up” is another upbeat song with a more frantic pace perhaps. It’s just as good as “Son of a Poor Man” with an *awesome* guitar solo at the end. REO Speedwagon was in the early seventies one of the best bands around. Their music was inovative, unique, rocked like crazy and was definitly not top forty schlock!”
5. Whisky Night
“Whiskey Night” is that Mike Murphy has a voice not at all appropriate for REO Speedwagon, but you know, by the second time I played the song I was already enjoying it tremendously. Sure, it’s an oddly sung power ballad with gospel vocals, and the verse closely resembles the Band’s “Life Is a Carnival” and it’s nothing like the stuff one would find on T.W.O., but I love it nonetheless.”
See more: REO Speedwagon Songs Ranked
4. It’s Everywhere
“It’s Everywhere” has an oddly sung verse melody leading into an optimistic chorus with lyrics that reveal a touch of sadness. At least to me they sound sad.”
3. Start a New Life
“Start A New Life” is a soulful and downbeat piano ballad with slide guitar. It’s memorable too. Kevin Cronin was the driving force behind their decline into comercialized blandness, Cronin is responsible for some of the worst music ever written.”
2. Ridin’ the Storm Out
“Even though this version of “Ridin’ the Storm Out” is probably not as good as the more famous live version we’d hear later due to being restrained and better suited as a live track anyway, the vocals and guitar playing are mighty fine regardless. Yes, I miss the aggressive and more energetic (and superior) live version, but what we here is a suitable mid-tempo version that’s definitely able to stand in the same league.”
1. Oh Woman
“Oh Woman” is REO’s brand of rockabilly, and the results are wonderful. I seriously wasn’t expecting a near classic with this album. I was convinced it’d be a letdown judging the reviews. I was wrong. I highly recommend it. No it’s not really the arena rock we associate with REO Speedwagon (well, except for the title song) but it makes up for that by laying down some really good songwriting the entire way through.”
