Graham Nash: “Innocent Eyes” (1986)
A leather-panted Nash never landed posh, whether pandering or not.
Kronomyth 4.1: Graham numan.
Graham Nash in leather pants. You had that to look forward to in the 80s. Honestly, that decade found new ways to suck every year. Just when you thought you’d reached the bottom, Mick Jagger and David Bowie would prance across the television screen singing “Dancin’ in the Streets” or Graham Nash and Kenny Loggins would hold a Rick Springfield soundalike contest (i.e., this song). “Innocent Eyes” was written by Paul Bliss, who was currently a touring member of the reconstituted Hollies, which also featured Nash. The flip side is actually one of the few highlights from Innocent Eyes, “I Got A Rock,” which matches anti-nuclear sentiments to quirky synthesizers and sounds similar to the work of Genesis’ Tony Banks. I get that Graham was trying to stay relevant in the 80s, I just think he could have done it without leather pants and synthesizers.
Original 7-inch single version
A1. Innocent Eyes (Paul Bliss) (3:10)
B1. I Got A Rock (Graham Nash) (3:17)
The Plastic
Released on 7-inch single in April 1986 in the US and Australia (Atlantic, 7-89434), the UK (Atlantic, A9434), Canada (Atlantic, 78 94347) and Germany (Atlantic, 789 434-7) with picture sleeve. Reached #86 on the US charts (charted on April 26, 1986 for 7 weeks). Also released as a promotional 7-inch and 12-inch single in 1986 in the US (Atlantic, 7-89434/PR 857) feat. A on both sides.
At least Graham was honest enough to admit in his autobiography that he WAS trying to sell out. But this bombed anyway. And if you want to see him ludicrously selling out, check out the video. “But, Mom! It’s Graham Nash”. Incidentally, Bliss also turned up composing and performing with Annie Haslam on her third solo album. After that, he was as a sideman with the Moodies starting with the “Keys of the Kingdom” album and subsequent tours. During THEIR sellout phases.