Greg Lake: “Let Me Love You Once” (1981)

Lake puts the “ex” in “sex” with this professionally penned piece by the author of the theme to Growing Pains.

Kronomyth 1.2: Let me love you too much.

The eighties saw the elegy of -ologies, of fustian philosophies, as proggers traded their mystical visions, amulets and ankhs for a pair of sunglasses and a gold chain around their neck. Which brings us to Greg Lake’s first album, on which the former ELP frontman earns the dubious distinction of selling out faster, deeper and harder than Asia. If a half-assed tune tossed off by Bob Dylan and his teenage girlfriend, Love You Too Much, didn’t shake your foundational faith in the man’s future, this piece of horndoggery would have finished the job. I’m not saying that every song has to be about wizards and warmachines, but sex with your ex? Really, that’s what you want to sing about? I’m pretty sure that’s why porn exists—or used to exist, as it’s the only practical application I can see for AI in the years ahead (well, that and generating graphics for video games). Penned by professional songwriters Steve Dorff (auteur of the theme to Growing Pains) and Mary Ann Leiken, “Love You Too Much” is a low point on Greg Lake. Better is the B side, Retribution Drive, which prominently features the lead guitar work of Gary Moore. It’s still not up to the standards of his work with ELP, but at least it rocks harder than the link below.

Original 7-inch single version

A1. Let Me Love You Once (Steve Dorff/Mary Ann Leiken) (4:16)
B1. Retribution Drive (Greg Lake/Tony Benyon/Tommy Eyre) (5:03)

Promotional 7-inch single version
A1. Let Me Love You Once (Steve Dorff/Mary Ann Leiken) (3:45)
B1. Let Me Love You Once (Steve Dorff/Mary Ann Leiken) (4:16)

The Plastic

Released on 7-inch single in December 1981 in the US (Chrysalis, CHS 2571). Reached #48 on the US charts. Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1981 in the US (Chrysalis, CHS 2571) with A edit and LP versions.