The Horizontal Bop

"The Horizontal Bop" is a song written by Bob Seger that was first released on his 1980 album Against the Wind. It was also released as the fourth single from the album, backed by "Her Strut." The single did not perform as well as the earlier singles from the album, stalling at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"The Horizontal Bop"
Single by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
from the album Against the Wind
B-side"Her Strut"
Released1980
GenreRock
Length3:20
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Bob Seger
Producer(s)Punch Andrews, Bob Seger
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band singles chronology
"You'll Accomp'ny Me"
(1980)		 "The Horizontal Bop"
(1980)		 "Tryin' to Live My Life Without You"
(1981)

Music and lyrics

Unlike the earlier, more successful singles from Against the Wind, "Against the Wind," "You'll Accomp'ny Me" and "Fire Lake," "The Horizontal Bop" is not a ballad but a fast rock and roll song.[1][2] Roy Trakin of The Daily News felt it lacked the drive of the more popular, slower songs from Against the Wind.[3] Music critic Herb Ditzel describes it as being a "tongue-in-cheek devil-may-care basic [rocker] that has its roots in hundreds of songs."[4] Ed Padgett describes it as a "Chuck Berry style song."[5]

The subject is having sex.[1] Music journalist Jimmy Guterman and arts editor Owen O'Donnell describe the song as being a "huffy song about sex" as well as a "safe song about sex" that was issued long before the age of safe sex.[6] Music critic Ron Kroese views it as displaying Seger's sense of humor and describes the lyrics as presenting "a night of wild partying and dancing as merely sustained foreplay before the real bop can begin."[7] Seger felt that "The Horizontal Bop" added something new to his live shows that other songs didn't provide.[8]

Reception

Musician Alix Dobkin criticized the lyrics of "The Horizontal Bop" for promoting activities which could lead to harmful ramifications for women, such as unwanted pregnancy.[9] Rolling Stone Magazine critic Dave Marsh felt it was "hollow."[10] Guterman and O'Donnell rated it as one the 50 worst rock and roll singles of all time.[6] They particularly criticize the fact that in their opinion it could be sung by high school boys to bond with other boys over their fear of girls, while high school girls could sing it as a "goofy song" about having sex without any dirty words.[6] Roysdon considered it one of the most fun songs on Against the Wind.[1] In 2004 Brian McCollum called it one of "a handful of frisky numbers" from Against the Wind "that remain audience faves."[11] On the other hand, Billboard Magazine described it as being "graced by sterling guitar work, a hot sax solo and Seger's gruff rock vocal."[12]

Although the previous three singles from Against the Wind reached the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, "The Horizontal Bop" only reached #42.[13]

"The Horizontal Bop" has been performed live on several Bob Seger tours with the Silver Bullet Band. Silver Bullet Band saxophonist Alto Reed received praise for his performances on this song during Seger's 1980 tour.[14][5]

References
  1. Roysdon, Keith (March 22, 1980). "Latest Bob Seger Album Up to Past Standards". Muncie Evening Press. p. 24. Retrieved 2018-11-07 – via newspapers.com.
  2. Kot, Greg (March 21, 1980). "The Principled Bob Seger". Quad City Times. p. 49. Retrieved 2018-11-07 – via newspapers.com.
  3. Trakin, Roy (September 7, 1980). "Bob Seger, Rock Survivor". The Daily News. p. 130. Retrieved 2018-11-07 – via newspapers.com.
  4. Ditzel, Herb (April 26, 1980). "Seger and Silver Bullet Band's Michigan Sound Blows Quite a Storm". Courier-News. p. 24. Retrieved 2018-11-07 – via newspapers.com.
  5. Padgett, Ed (May 21, 1980). "Seger Pours It On". The Folsom Telegraph. p. 8. Retrieved 2018-11-07 – via newspapers.com.
  6. Guterman, Jimmy & O'Donnell, Owen (1991). The Worst Rock n' Roll Records of All Time. Citadel Press. pp. 22–24. ISBN 9780806512310.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. Kroese, Ron (April 4, 1980). "Sounds '80". Rapid City Journal. p. 24. Retrieved 2018-11-07 – via newspapers.com.
  8. Heron, W. Kim (January 7, 1982). "Seger Tools Up for New Release". The Daily News. p. C21. Retrieved 2018-11-07 – via newspapers.com.
  9. Levoy, Gregg (December 18, 1980). "Are Rock Songs the Building Blocks of Bias and Violence?". The News Journal. p. 48. Retrieved 2018-11-07 – via newspapers.com.
  10. Marsh, Dave (1985). Fortunate Son. Random House. pp. 130–132. ISBN 0394721195.
  11. McCollum, Brian (March 14, 2004). "On the Records". Detroit Free Press. p. 70. Retrieved 2018-11-07 – via newspapers.com.
  12. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. November 8, 1980. p. 62. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  13. "Bob Seger Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  14. Dunkin, Zach (June 4, 1980). "Seger Concert Is the Best". The Indianapolis News. p. 55. Retrieved 2018-11-07 – via newspapers.com.
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