Top 10 Crack The Sky Songs

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Our Top 10 Crack The Sky songs list presents a collection of songs showcasing a popular East Coast band that fans have always clamored deserved to be more well known. Well, they are in Maryland. Nonetheless, rock and roll history is filled with fantastic bands like Crack The Sky that never got the recognition they deserved on a global level. The band was first formed in the early part of the 1970s. They released their first album in 1975. The album broke into the Billboard Top 200 while being hailed by critics from national magazines and newspapers as a band to watch.
The original group consisted of John Palumbo on lead vocals, keyboards, and guitar; Rick Witkowski on lead guitar and percussion; Joe Macre on bass guitar and back-up vocals; Jim Griffiths also on lead guitar and back-up vocals; and Joey D’Amico playing the drums. Over the years, the band would break up, reunite, and change members multiple times. Since 1975, the group has released over thirty albums. As of 2023, they were still releasing records. The following is just a sampling of their music from various time periods throughout their career.

# 10 – She’s A Dancer

We open up our Top 10 Crack The Sky Songs list with the smoking song “She’s A Dancer.” We wanted to open up our Crack The Sky Songs list with something from the first album, and this is one of their most iconic songs. We wanted to get your attention immediately regarding how good these guys are. The band also had some juice in the business because they landed the Brecker Brothers and David Sanborn to play on the track. There is so much going on musically in this track. It’s progressive rock meets pop meets jazz.

# 9 – Don’t Feed The Tigers

We jump almost 50 years into the future with the next one. Continuing with our Top 10 Crack The Sky Songs list, we take a listen to the funky New Orleans style song “Don’t Feed The Tigers.” The song was released on the band’s latest album, From The Wood, which was released in 2023. There is a bit of a Little Feat meets Allman Brothers Band groove here. John Palumbo still leads the band.

# 8 – Monkeyboy

In the number eight spot on our Top 10 Crack The Sky Songs list we present the fun song entitled “Monkeyboy.” This one has a little bit of everything, humor, cool guitar solos, funky bass lines and brass. The lead vocals remind me of a mix of Frank Zappa’s wit and Peter Gabriel’s phrasing. The song was released on the album entitled From the Greenhouse. The album was released in 1989.

# 7 – Here It Comes Again

In the number seven position on our Top 10 Crack The Sky Songs list is the song entitled “Here It Comes Again.” Now, this one is really cool. The song’s opening is very intense with some raging tight guitar riffs that dance with some hot organ-playing. This is one kicking song filled with aggressive guitar solos and sensational time changes. The song was released on the album entitled Machine. The album was released in 2010.
The album featured John Palumbo on vocals, guitar, and keyboards; Bobby Hird on vocals, guitar, and mandolin; Joe Macre on bass synthesizer and electric bass; Rick Witkowski on vocals and guitar; Glenn Workman on vocals and keyboards; Joey D’Amico on vocals and drums; and Anthony Rankin playing drums on the song “Hero.” I love the line ” I Am The Anti-Everything.” I think this was a band that possibly Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree was listening to. You can hear Crack The Skys’ influence in his music.

# 6 – Coconuts

Sunding a little bit like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the band delivers some outrageous funk rock on this one. Landing in the number six spot on our Top 10 Crack The Sky Songs list we present the song Coconuts. It’s space rock funk! And no, they are not talking about the fruit. The song was released on the album entitled Ghost. The album was released in 2001. The lineup for this record consisted of John Palumbo on lead vocals, guitar, and synthesizer; Rick Witkowski and Bobby Hird on guitar; Carey Ziegler playing the bass guitar; Tracey Worsman on drums; and Glenn Workman on keyboards and piano.

# 5 – We Want Mine

At the halfway point on our Top 10 Crack The Sky Songs list is the song entitled “We Want Mine.” The group sounds very much like John Miles on this one, from the guitar to the lead vocals. The song was issued on the album entitled Animal Notes. The album was released in 1976.

# 4 – Hold The Sky

It’s Rush meets Yes in the song’s opening on this cranking tune that I just can’t get enough of. The band’s originality comes shining through with the vocal entrance. You never know where these guys are going with their music. It’s what makes it such a fun ride. The song “Hold The Sky” was released on the album Crack The Sky, which was released in 1975. It was the band’s debut album. The song “Hold The Sky” opened the album.

# 3 – All Fly Away

In the number three spot on our Top 10 Crack The Sky Songs list, we celebrate the song entitled “All Fly Away.” I’m digging this song. There is a bit of a Yes vibe going on here, especially in the opening guitar strumming and the backing vocals. The lead vocals remind me of Gentle Giant meets early Genesis. There is also a killer guitar solo just past the two-minute mark. The song was released on the album entitled World In Motion. The album was released in 1983.

# 2 – Nuclear Apathy

This one is simply breathtaking. The song “Nuclear Apathy” was released on the band’s album, Saftey In Numbers. The first two minutes of the song are fueled by a very sweet-sounding acoustic guitar part and soft dreamy vocals. However, that’s all blown out the window as the band ignites into an explosive time change that sounds like vintage Yes. Make sure to listen to this one all the way through.

# 1 – Hot Razors In My Heart

We close out our Top 10 Crack The Sky Songs list with one of the band’s most popular songs, “Hot Razors In My Heart.” The song “Hot Razors In My Heart” was released on the White Music album. The album was released in 1980. This is such a fantastic piece of music. The band was so original sounding in the way they blended progressive rock music Moody Blues sounding string arrangements with a sense of British glam metal like bands such as Sweet. They were often compared to Steely Dan, especially early on, but I dont think they sounded anything like Steely Dan. In the end, they had their own original sound, and that’s probably why they have generated such a strong, loyal, localized following who truly understood how good this band was.