Our top 10 Dan Reed Network songs list digs deep into the music catalog of an American band that earned quite some following in the mid-’80s and early ‘90s. Dan Reed Network was formed in 1984 by singer Dan Reed—joining him were drummer Dan Pred, keyboardist Jeff Siri, guitarist Brion James, and bassist Melvin Brannon II. The band’s lineup has been quite stable with a few changes in the lineup, specifically on the keyboards.
Dan Reed Network’s first stint (1984 to 1993) is regarded as the band’s prime days—most of its popular songs were released during that time. The band would later regroup in the 2010s rekindling its musical pursuits through a series of releases. Over the years, Dan Reed Network has issued six studio albums (three during the first stint and the rest since its reunion in 2012).
Dan Reed Network’s Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
In 1986, Dan Reed Network members went ahead to issue their first extended play Breathless through Nu Vision Records. At the time Dan Reed Network recorded Breathless, the band was without the services of original keyboardist Jeff Siri who had left the lineup. The void left by keyboardist Jeff Siri was filled by former Quarterflash member Rick DiGiallonardo.
Breathless was barely critically acclaimed—however, the extended play paved way for Dan Reed Network’s groundbreaking work in the late ‘80s. The extended play was produced by Marlon McClain who also worked with artists/bands like Dazz Band, David Frizzell, Insane Poetry, and Jeff Lorber. “Eye On You” and “Breathless” are some of the notable musical gems from the extended play.
Dan Reed Network’s Album Releases over the Years
Dan Reed Network issued their eponymous debut studio album in 1988. The eleven-track album finds the band exploring funk-rock influences. Dan Reed Network was produced by Bruce Fairbairn, a renowned record producer who worked with music legends like Van Halen, Loverboy, Poison, AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Bon Jovi.
The departure of keyboardist Rick DiGiallonardo saw the band recruit Blake Sakamoto who features on this album. Dan Reed Network was a mainstream success climbing to position ninety-five on the Billboard 200. “Ritual,” Get to You,” “World Has a Heart Too,” and “I’m Sorry” are some of the best Dan Reed Network songs from the band’s debut LP.
Slam, issued in 1989, marked the band’s sophomore studio album. The album was produced by Nile Rodgers, the cofounder of Chic. Nile has also produced for other artists including Debbie Harry, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Duran Duran, and Madonna among others. Slam made it to number one hundred and sixty on the Billboard 200. The album also made it to the sixty-sixth spot on the UK Albums Chart. “Rainbow Child,” “Tiger in a Dress,” “Lover,” “Stronger Than Steel,” and “Come Back Baby” are the most popular songs by Dan Reed Network from the album.
In 1991, Dan Reed Network returned with their third studio album The Heat. The album was fairly successful in the mainstream rising to position fifteen on the UK Albums Chart. While this marked the band’s highest-charting album in the UK mainstream, The Heat failed to impress in the US mainstream. Other than the great musicianship exuded by the band members, The Heat had quite some skillful technical personnel.
Among the technical personnel contracted to make The Heat a success were producers Neil Rodgers and Bruce Fairbairn, and record engineer Mike Fraser. Mike Fraser has also worked with reputable bands/artists including Poison, Dio, AC/DC, Joe Satriani, and Aerosmith. “Long Way to Go,” “Mix It Up,” “Baby Now I,” and “Salt of Joy” are the best Dan Reed Network songs from The Heat. The album is also home to Dan Reed Network’s cover of the 1973 song “Money” by Pink Floyd.
Unfortunately, Dan Reed Network disbanded in 1993 regrouping in the 2010s. Four years after its reunion, the band issued its fourth studio album Fight Another Day through Frontiers Records. Other notable bands that have rekindled their pursuits/(once) affiliated with Frontiers Records include Whitesnake, Survivor, Yes, and Styx.
While the band’s reunion was quite a significant move, albums like Fight Another Day failed to catapult Dan Reed Network back to mainstream success. However, these works are evocative of the band’s funk rock efforts back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. “Divided,” “Champion,” and “B There With U” are the most popular songs by Dan Reed Network from Fight Another Day.
Dan Reed Network just record one album under Frontiers Records. Origins, the band’s next release, was released through Zero One Music, a label belonging to Dan Reed. The album saw the band rerecord some of its most popular songs with additional new songs including “Face to Light” and “One Last Time.” Dan Reed Network later returned in 2022 with their sixth studio album Let’s Hear It for The King. The album was quite a fair release featuring some of the best Dan Reed Network songs including “Homegrown,” “Pretty Karma,” and “Starlight.”
Dan Reed Network’s Other Musical Pursuits and Legacy
After Dan Reed Network disbanded, singer Dan Reed continued his musical pursuits issuing the record Adrenaline Sky alongside new instrumentalists. The singer would later issue a few albums before Dan Reed Network’s fourth studio album Fight Another Day. While the band was tipped for success in the funk rock scene—however, the projected levels of success were not realized. Poor promotion of the band’s musical pursuits is part of the reason Dan Reed Network never made it big in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Here we present our all-time best Dan Reed Network songs.
#10- Starlight
At the tenth spot on our best Dan Reed Network songs list, is the striking hit “Starlight.” This musical gem is featured on the band’s most recent album release Let’s Hear It for The King. “Starlight” is a perfect emblem of Dan Reed Network’s hard-edged funk rock albeit spiced up with alluring melodies and pop sensibilities. Dan Reed Network’s sound exploration on this album gifted us with some of the catchiest songs ever issued by the band.
The band’s lead singer, Dan Reed, went ahead to issue a fair warning that Let’s Hear It for The King is the heaviest and most melodic funk-oriented record ever released by the band. While the song’s chorus might feel funky, its beginning tells of Dan Reed Network’s explorations into heavy metal/hard rock influences.
The band’s lead singer went ahead to cite “Starlight” to be Dan Reed Network paying homage to AC/DC. While “Starlight” is our “perfect” emblem to Dan Reed Network’s new sound explorations, it receives quite some competition from songs like “Homegrown” and “Let’s Hear It for The King.”
#9- Stronger Than Steel
If a song has to be long, then it better be captivating! Dan Reed Network members understood the assignment when they issued the seven-minute hit “Stronger Than Steel.” The song rocks our hearts with its touching lyrical content and amazing delivery. A slow tempo works even better for this powerful romantic anthem.
In the song, the singer gives a few metaphors to describe the love he shares with his partner. While the song never made it to the mainstream charts it remains one of Dan Reed Network’s most sought-after hits of all time. “Stronger Than Steel” is featured on the band’s sophomore studio album Slam.
#8- I’m So Sorry
Coming in at the eighth spot on our best Dan Reed Network songs list is the prodigious hit “I’m So Sorry.” The song is one of the most sought-after hits off the band’s eponymous debut studio album. “I’m So Sorry” explores the emotional side of the singer while still giving us a taste of the band’s luscious blend of funk and rock influences. Unfortunately, the song never made it to the mainstream charts.
#7- Long Way to Go
Album opening songs are in most cases the most momentous tracks to a given record. However, Dan Reed Network showed us that the end matters too as exhibited by the band’s third studio album The Heat. As a result, the album’s closing hit “Long Way to Go” has easily won the hearts of many proving to be one of the indispensable fan favorite tracks.
Three and a half minutes of pure musicianship is all that “Love Way to Go” yields! The song barely explores any hard rock/heavy metal influences. Additionally, its lyrical content and delivery ooze a contagious feel that hooks you from the start of the song to the end. A promotional music video was released for this hit making it even more popular.
#6- Divided
The sixth spot on our ten best Dan Reed Network songs list is the energetic hit “Divided.” “Divided” takes us back to Fight Another Day, the band’s fourth studio album. Thanks to songs like “Divided” Dan Reed Network members were able to rekindle the same funk rock charm of the ‘90s (albeit with minimal success in the mainstream).
A massively alluring chorus is one of the most notable takeaways from “Divided.” Thumbs up to the band for the intoxicating melodic heave on this hit, something that adds some glamour to its overall feel. Without a doubt, “Divided” serves as a perfect comeback in the music scene after over twenty years of no new release.
#5- Baby Now I
The Heat, the band’s third studio album, is home to the fifth pick of our ten best Dan Reed Network songs “Baby Now I.” Unlike the album’s closing hit “Long Way to Go” which barely explored the heavy side of Dan Reed Network, “Baby Now I” showcased how hard/heavy the band can go. However, the funk-rock influences are also quite notable in this hit.
“Baby Now I” went ahead to be featured on the soundtrack of the 1992 film The Cutting Edge. The song “Feels Like Forever” by Joe Cocker was the movie theme song to The Cutting Edge. Other artists whose songs made it to the soundtrack of the same movie include Delbert McClinton and Johnny Winter. “Baby Now I” made it to the sixty-fifth spot on the UK Singles Chart.
#4- Tiger in a Dress
“Tiger in a Dress” is yet another impressive hit off Dan Reed Network’s second studio album Slam. The song is one of the most impressive high-energy rockers ever released by the Dan Reed Network. Unlike the “Stronger Than Steel,” “Tiger in a Dress” finds Dan Reed Network going a tad bit heavier while still holding on tight to their funk-rock template. “Tiger in a Dress” is among the songs that should have made it big on the mainstream charts!
#3- Get to You
The third track on our ten best Dan Reed Network songs list is the grooving hit “Get to You.” “Get to You” finds the band striking a balance between going funk while still exploring the beauty of hard-rocking sounds. This anthemic hit is yet another reason why one would classify Dan Reed Network to be among the most underrated bands of all time—definitely a song worth more success than it obtained (didn’t even make it to the Billboard Hot 100).
#2- Rainbow Child
Told to select a song that gives “Ritual” a run for its money, then most of Dan Reed Network’s fans would go for “Rainbow Child.” The song finds Dan Reed Network going soulful on their delivery. However, the main catch in this song is Dan Reed’s impressive vocal range which points to his skills as the pillar upon which Dan Reed Network’s musicianship has constantly been established.
This isn’t meant to discredit the input of the rest of the band members. In fact, it is hard to talk about Dan Reed’s success as a singer without mentioning the input of drummer Pred, bassist Melvin, and guitarist Brion with whom Reed established deep chemistry. “Rainbow Child” was a mainstream success rising to the spot on the UK Singles Chart.
#1- Ritual
Number one on our top ten Dan Reed Network songs list is the alluring hit “Ritual.” The song is the most striking release ever made by Dan Reed Network since its beginning. “Ritual” is the perfect emblem of Dan Reed Network’s promising funk-rock career. Dan Reed Network’s ability to infuse hard-rocking elements into its grooving funk-rock explorations remains quite prodigious.
Lead vocalist Dan Reed went ahead to reveal that the song’s lyrics alludes to getting addicted to someone else, a craving that arouses most of us (if not all). “Ritual” is the most successful song by Dan Reed Network in the US—the song rose to the thirty-eighth spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
Feature Photo: JürnC, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 10 Dan Reed Network Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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