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{{Infobox album
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}{{Infobox album
| name = Knee Deep in the Hoopla
| name = Knee Deep in the Hoopla
| type = studio
| type = studio
| artist = [[Starship (band)|Starship]]
| artist = [[Starship (band)|Starship]]
| cover = Kneedeep2.jpg
| cover = Knee Deep in the Hoopla album cover.jpg
| border = yes
| border = yes
| alt =
| alt =
| released = September 10, 1985
| released = September 12, 1985
| recorded = 1984−85
| recorded = 1984−1985
| studio = {{flatlist|
| studio = {{flatlist|
* [[Record Plant]], [[Sausalito]]
* [[Record Plant]], [[Sausalito]]
* Music Grinder, Los Angeles
* Music Grinder, Los Angeles
}}
}}
| genre = [[Album-oriented rock|AOR]], [[pop rock]]
| venue =
| length = 40:28
| genre = [[Album-oriented rock|AOR]], [[pop rock]]
| label = [[Grunt Records|Grunt]]/[[RCA Records|RCA]]
| length = 40:28
| label = [[Grunt Records|Grunt]]/[[RCA Records|RCA]]
| producer = * [[Peter Wolf (producer)|Peter Wolf]]
| producer =
* [[Peter Wolf (producer)|Peter Wolf]]
* Jeremy Smith
* Jeremy Smith
* [[Dennis Lambert]] (executive producer)
* [[Dennis Lambert]] (executive producer)
| prev_title =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| prev_year =
| next_title = [[No Protection (Starship album)|No Protection]]
| next_title = [[No Protection (Starship album)|No Protection]]
| next_year = 1987
| next_year = 1987
| misc = {{Singles
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Knee Deep in the Hoopla
| name = Knee Deep in the Hoopla
| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = [[We Built This City]]
| single1 = [[We Built This City]]
| single1date = August 1, 1985<ref name="RIAA">[http://www.riaa.org/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database RIAA Gold and Platinum Database]</ref>
| single1date = August 26, 1985<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/FMQB-Album/1985/FMQB-1985-08-23.pdf|title=FMQB|page=30}}</ref><ref name="RIAA">[https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ RIAA Gold and Platinum Database]</ref>
| single2 = [[Sara (Starship song)|Sara]]
| single2 = [[Sara (Starship song)|Sara]]
| single2date = December 1985
| single2date = December 1985
| single3 = Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight
| single3 = Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight
| single3date = 1986
| single3date = April 1986
| single4 = Before I Go
| single4 = Before I Go
| single4date = June 1986<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/430/mode/2up|title=The Great Rock Discography|year=1995|page=430 |isbn=9780862415419 |last1=Strong |first1=Martin Charles |publisher=Canongate Press }}</ref>
| single4date = 1986
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''''Knee Deep in the Hoopla''''' is the debut studio album by American [[Album-oriented rock|AOR]] band [[Starship (band)|Starship]], the succeeding musical project to [[Jefferson Starship]]. It was released on September 10, 1985, through record label [[Grunt Records|Grunt]].
'''''Knee Deep in the Hoopla''''' is the debut album by American [[Album-oriented rock|AOR]] band [[Starship (band)|Starship]], the succeeding musical project to [[Jefferson Starship]]. It was released on September 12, 1985, by [[RCA Records|RCA]] and [[Grunt Records|Grunt]],<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/FMQB-Album/1985/FMQB-1985-09-06.pdf |title=Friday Morning Quarterback |date=1985-09-06 |publisher=Kal Rudman |editor-last=Hard |editor-first=Bill |pages=25 |language=en}}</ref> with four singles: the No. 1 hits "[[We Built This City]]" and "[[Sara (Starship song)|Sara]]", "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" (No. 26) and "Before I Go" (No. 68).<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |title=Starship |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/starship/chart-history/hot-100/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Background ==
Four singles were released from the album: the No. 1 hits "[[We Built This City]]" and "[[Sara (Starship song)|Sara]]", "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" and "Before I Go".
In May 1984, [[Jefferson Starship]] released ''[[Nuclear Furniture]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruhlmann |first=William |title=Jefferson Starship |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jefferson-starship-mn0000840050 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref> [[Paul Kantner]], one of the band's founding members, left shortly after, criticizing the group's tilt toward commercial rock.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ruhlmann |first=William |title=Starship |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/starship-mn0000748168#biography |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref> In October, he sough to dissolve the band and sued his former bandmates over the ownership of its name.<ref name=":0" /> The lawsuit was settled in March 1985 with the agreement that the "Jefferson Starship" name would be retired by the group in favor of "Starship", a name now owned by singer [[Grace Slick]] and manager [[Bill Thompson (manager)|Bill Thompson]].<ref name=":0" />


Shortly after the new group's creation, [[David Freiberg]] (another Jefferson Starship founding member) departed as well. For the band's debut album, the lineup was reduced to a quintet consisting of singer [[Grace Slick]], co-lead singer [[Mickey Thomas (singer)|Mickey Thomas]], guitarist [[Craig Chaquico]], bassist [[Pete Sears]], and drummer [[Donny Baldwin]].<ref name=":0" />
== Content ==


== Recording and production ==
[[AllMusic]] retrospectively described ''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' as the [[Jefferson Airplane]]/[[Jefferson Starship]]/Starship project's "most overtly commercial effort to date".<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/knee-deep-in-the-hoopla-mw0000195853 |title=''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' – Starship <nowiki>| Songs, Reviews, Credits |</nowiki> AllMusic |last=McCombs |first=Joseph |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=March 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215174038/https://www.allmusic.com/album/knee-deep-in-the-hoopla-mw0000195853 |archive-date=December 15, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Peter Wolf (producer)|Peter Wolf]], who had worked on ''[[Nuclear Furniture]]'', was hired to produce ''Knee Deep in the Hoopla''. As the band sought a new, radio relevant sound, Wolf brought novel recording techniques. Among these was the use of the [[Synclavier]], which guitarist [[Craig Chaquico]] later described as "cutting edge," adding that despite the changes, the group did not feel like they were "selling out," but rather felt like "they were trying to land a man on the moon."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Tannenbaum |first=Rob |date=2016-08-31 |title=We Built This S#!tty: An Oral History of the Worst Song of All Time |url=https://www.gq.com/story/oral-history-we-built-this-city-worst-song-of-all-time |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}</ref> However, short-term member [[David Freiberg]] recalled in a 1997 interview that one of the reasons for his departure was that in the studio "nobody in the band was playing anything" as it was all about "producing" and "hot stuff keyboard players."<ref>{{cite web |last=Barthel |first=John |date=1997-09-04 |title=David Freiberg Interview |url=http://www.penncen.com/quicksilver/freiberg/interview.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222114511/http://www.penncen.com/quicksilver/freiberg/interview.html |archive-date=2012-02-22 |access-date=2024-09-23 |language=en-US |quote=Well, because they want me in, and I didn't want to be there because they were doing 'We Built This City' and all. It was at the point where they were going to the studio, and nobody in the band was playing anything. Maybe if they needed a guitar… Craig would play it. It was all producing and it was all hot stuff keyboard players and that is what I was basically playing with them…you know…and that wasn’t me. Why have me around? Why should I be around? |ref=hear |df=mdy-all}}</ref>


For the album, Wolf also sourced material from a wide variety of outside songwriters, which was said to have made the group more "unified and focused".<ref name=":11">{{Cite magazine |last=McDonough |first=Jack |date=1985-11-02 |title=New Starship: 'Cleaner, More Focused' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RyQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA47 |access-date=2024-10-04 |magazine=Billboard |pages=47 |volume=97 |issue=44}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Giles |first=Jeff |date=2014-08-15 |title=How Jefferson Airplane Ultimately Became Starship |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/jefferson-airplane-jefferson-starship-starship/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |language=en}}</ref> This was an important change from the old lineup's previous albums, as the songs were primarily written by its members.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McShane |first=Larry |date=1986-02-04 |title=Starship sails ahead despite critics' barbs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VJhGAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11 |access-date=2024-10-04 |work=The Day |pages=C3}}</ref> "[[We Built This City]]" was the first product from these new recording efforts and the album's lead single.<ref name=":0" /> Originally written by [[Bernie Taupin]] (lyricist known for his work with [[Elton John]]) and [[Martin Page]], the track was further developed by Wolf and co-producers [[Dennis Lambert]] and Jeremy Smith.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Fielder |first=Hugh |date=2023-12-09 |title="Grace was three sheets to the wind, so Marty sang to her while holding her in an arm-lock so she couldn't get away": the epic, drunken and very crazy story of Jefferson Starship |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/jefferson-starship-band-story-grace-slick |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=louder |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dellar |first=Fred |date=2022-05-13 |title=MOJO Time Machine: The Starship Takes Off! |url=https://www.mojo4music.com/time-machine/1980s/mojo-time-machine-the-starship-takes-off/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Mojo |language=en}}</ref> The album's title was taken from one of the song's lyrics: "Knee deep in the hoopla, sinking in your fight".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deep Dive: Starship, WE BUILT THIS CITY |url=https://www.rhino.com/article/deep-dive-starship-we-built-this-city |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Rhino |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtM3jjLP7AE |title=We Built This City |date=2018-12-12 |last=Starship |type=Video |language=en |access-date=2024-09-23 |via=YouTube}}</ref> The second single, "[[Sara (Starship song)|Sara]]", was a ballad written by Wolf and his wife, [[Ina Wolf]], and named after [[Mickey Thomas (singer)|Mickey Thomas]]' then-wife.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> Both of these songs reached No. 1 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" />
The track "Desperate Heart", written by [[Michael Bolton]] and Randy Goodrum, also appears on Bolton's album ''[[Everybody's Crazy]]'', released the same year. Two songs sung by [[Grace Slick]] were recorded for but left off the album: Slick's own "Do You Remember Me?" (released on ''[[The Best of Grace Slick]]'') and the Peter Wolf–Jeremy Smith composition "Casualty" (included as a bonus track on the 1999 remaster). Jeannette and Pete Sears wrote a song for the album called "One More Innocent", but it was rejected for its political lyrics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jeannettesears.com/jefferson-starship/we-built-this-city-making-the-muppets-dance/|title=We Built This City|publisher=jeannettesears.com|last=Sears|first=Jeannette|date=January 3, 2012|access-date=October 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926143345/http://www.jeannettesears.com/jefferson-starship/we-built-this-city-making-the-muppets-dance/|archive-date=September 26, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>


The track "Desperate Heart", written by [[Michael Bolton]] and [[Randy Goodrum]], also appeared on Bolton's album ''[[Everybody's Crazy]]'', released earlier that year in March. "Rock Myself to Sleep" was written by [[Katrina and the Waves]] members Kimberley Rew and Vince de la Cruz and featured additional vocals by [[Quiet Riot]]'s [[Kevin DuBrow]].<ref name=":6" /> The album's closing track, "Love Rusts", also written by Page and Taupin, featured additional background vocals by artists like [[Peter Beckett]] (from [[Player (band)|Player]]), [[Simon Climie]] (later of [[Climie Fisher]] fame), and [[Siedah Garrett]].<ref name=":6" /> The only song on the record written by any of the band's members was "Private Room", penned by vocalist [[Mickey Thomas (singer)|Mickey Thomas]] and guitarist [[Craig Chaquico]].<ref name=":2" /> The music video for the album's third single, "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" was directed by [[Francis Delia]] (director of the videos for "Sara" and "We Built This City") and shot in a converted warehouse located in downtown Los Angeles.<ref name=":12">{{Cite magazine |date=1985-04-05 |title=Video Track |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_CQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT55 |access-date=2024-10-04 |magazine=Billboard |pages=54 |volume=98 |issue=14}}</ref> The set was designed by Waldemar Kalinoswky.<ref name=":12" />
== Release ==


Two songs sung by [[Grace Slick]] were recorded for but left off the album: Slick's own "Do You Remember Me?" (released on ''[[The Best of Grace Slick]]'') and the Peter Wolf–Jeremy Smith composition "Casualty" (included as a bonus track on the remastered 1999 CD edition of the album). [[Pete Sears]] and his wife, Jeannette, wrote a song for the album titled "One More Innocent", which was rejected due to its political lyrics.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Sears |first=Pete |title=1985. "Knee Deep in the Hoopla" |url=https://petesears.com/music/1985-knee-deep-in-the-hoopla/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=PETE SEARS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sears |first=Jeannette |date=January 3, 2012 |title=We Built This City |url=http://www.jeannettesears.com/jefferson-starship/we-built-this-city-making-the-muppets-dance/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926143345/http://www.jeannettesears.com/jefferson-starship/we-built-this-city-making-the-muppets-dance/ |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |access-date=October 22, 2015 |newspaper=Jeannette Sears}}</ref>
''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' was released on September 10, 1985, through record label [[Grunt Records|Grunt]].


In November 1985, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' reported that Slick characterized the sound on the album as "cleaner, more crisp", while Thomas called it "more current, and more focused."<ref name=":11" /> In September, the publication also wrote that the album had been "tentatively titled 'Another American Dream Goes Berserk'."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=1985-09-07 |title=Wonder's 'Circle' Album Finally Ready |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1985/BB-1985-09-07.pdf |access-date=2024-10-04 |magazine=Billboard |pages=4 |via=World Radio History |volume=97 |issue=36}}</ref>
Four singles were released from the album: the No. 1 hits "[[We Built This City]]" and "[[Sara (Starship song)|Sara]]", "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" and "Before I Go".


Reflecting on the creation of ''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'', vocalist Mickey Thomas would later say that:<blockquote>"[with the album] we definitely made a conscious effort to sort of redefine ourselves and say: 'Let’s go in and try to do a completely different approach to music. Let’s use a different method. Let’s try to have a couple of hit singles. Let’s just go for it'."<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeRiso |first=Nick |date=2013-07-04 |title=Mickey Thomas, on Jefferson Starship's transformation into Starship: Something Else! Interview |url=https://somethingelsereviews.com/2013/07/04/something-else-interview-starships-mickey-thomas/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Something Else! |language=en-US}}</ref></blockquote>
The album was certified [[Platinum certification|platinum]] by the [[RIAA]].


== Reception ==
== Release ==
''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' was released on September 10, 1985, through [[RCA]] and [[Grunt Records|Grunt]]. Four singles were released from the album, which all charted on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart: the No. 1 hits "[[We Built This City]]" and "[[Sara (Starship song)|Sara]]", the No. 26 hit "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" (peaked at No. 26), and the No. 68 "Before I Go".<ref name=":1" /> ''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' was certified platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] on 27 December 1985.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=knee+deep+in+the+hoopla#search_section |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 22 September 2023, ''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' was reissued as part of the limited-edition "Rhino Reds" series, launched in celebration of [[Rhino Entertainment|Rhino]]'s 45th anniversary.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2023-07-28 |title=Rhino Records Celebrates 45 Years with the RHINO REDS Vinyl Series |url=https://www.rhino.com/article/rhino-records-celebrates-45-years-with-the-rhino-reds-vinyl-series |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Rhino |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Becky |date=2023-07-31 |title=Rhino celebrate 45th anniversary with limited-edition reissue series |url=https://thevinylfactory.com/news/rhino-red-rhino/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=The Vinyl Factory |language=en-US}}</ref> The album was pressed on translucent red vinyl at [[Third Man Records|Third Man]] and mastered by Jeff Powell.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Knee Deep In The Hoopla + Bonus 7" (Rhino Red Vinyl) |url=https://store.rhino.com/en/rhino-store/special-edition-shops/rhino-reds/knee-deep-in-the-hoopla-bonus-7%22-rhino-red-vinyl/081227819972.html |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=Rhino |language=en}}</ref> This release also included "Casualty" as a bonus track and was accompanied by a bonus 7" single featuring "We Built This City" and "Private Room".<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" />

== Critical reception ==
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/knee-deep-in-the-hoopla-mw0000195853 |title=''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' – Starship {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits |last=McCombs |first=Joseph |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=March 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215174038/https://www.allmusic.com/album/knee-deep-in-the-hoopla-mw0000195853 |archive-date=December 15, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="AllMusic"/>
| rev2 = ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''
| rev2 = ''[[Melodic (magazine)|Melodic]]''
| rev2Score = negative<ref>{{cite journal |date=November 11, 1985 |title=Pick and Pans Review: ''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-knee-deep-in-the-hoopla-vol-24-no-20/ |access-date=March 12, 2019}}</ref>
| rev2score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gutierrez |first=Virginia |date=2019-02-11 |title=Starship - Knee Deep In The Hoopla |url=https://melodic.net/album/starship-knee-deep-in-the-hoopla |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Melodic}}</ref>
}}Joseph McCombs of [[AllMusic]] retrospectively described ''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' as the [[Jefferson Airplane]]/[[Jefferson Starship]]/Starship project's "most overtly commercial effort to date."<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=McCombs |first=Joseph |title=Knee Deep in the Hoopla |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/knee-deep-in-the-hoopla-mw0000195853 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=AllMusic}}</ref> He noted that the album's songs "are pleasant but lightweight" and that while they "are less than memorable, they are very tuneful and melodic."<ref name=":9" /> McCombs highlighted "Love Rusts" as the standout cut.<ref name=":9" />
}}

{{expand section|date=February 2020}}
On 7 September 1985, ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' stated that "We Built This City" was a "must-add," describing it as an "ear-catching" and "bouncy" song that was "dance rock with sharp hooks" for [[Contemporary hit radio|Contemporary hits radio]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1985-09-07 |title=Single Releases |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1985/CB-1985-09-07.pdf |access-date=2024-10-04 |work=Cashbox |pages=9 |via=World Radio History |volume=XLIX |issue=13}}</ref> On September 21, the magazine said that ''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' was "rich in commercial potential and musical satisfaction," observing that it placed emphasis on "melodic, pop songwriting" and the "vocal interplay" of Slick and Thomas.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1985-09-21 |title=Album Releases |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1985/CB-1985-09-21.pdf |access-date=2024-10-04 |work=Cashbox |pages=8 |via=World Radio History |volume=XLIX |issue=14}}</ref> On the same day, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' noted that with the album, the band took their "techno-rock swing" to a "more decisive stance," describing the makeover as a shift toward the "mainstream '80s."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=1985-09-21 |title=Pop - Picks |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1985/BB-1985-09-21.pdf |access-date=2024-10-04 |magazine=Billboard |pages=62 |via=World Radio History |volume=97 |issue=38}}</ref>
''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' has received a negative response from professional music critics.

In November 1985, Stephen Holden of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said that the album, as a <nowiki>''</nowiki>compendium of strutting pop-rock cliches," represented everything [[Jefferson Airplane]] stood against: "conformity, conservatism and a slavish adherence to formula."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=1985-11-27 |title=The Pop Life: Sade's 2d Album, a Refined Fusion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/11/27/arts/the-pop-life-sade-s-2d-album-a-refined-fusion.html |work=The New York Times |pages=24}}</ref> That same month, ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' argued that "although the producers give Starship’s music some punch," it was like trying to "resuscitate a pork chop".<ref name=":13" /> They considered "We Built This City" a tease "with nice keyboards by Wolf", and described the rest of the album as "weary hackwork."<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |last=People Staff |date=1985-11-11 |title=Picks and Pans Review: Knee Deep in the Hoopla |url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-knee-deep-in-the-hoopla-vol-24-no-20/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |work=People}}</ref> Some days later, ''[[Associated Press]]'' writer Larry Kilman described "[[We Built This City|We Built this City]]" as a "short and snappy" song that, with a catchy chorus, was made for radio play.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Kilman |first=Larry |date=1985-11-23 |title=Starship is a band in search of an image |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qv1NAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA39 |access-date=2024-09-23 |work=The Free Lance-Star |pages=17}}</ref> He found the album to be "uneven," noting that "listeners drawn to it by 'We Built the City'{{Sic}} will enjoy 'Hearts of the World' but little else."<ref name=":10" /> Kilman also singled out "Love Rusts", calling it the second-best song on the record.<ref name=":10" /> In December, Tom Ford of [[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)|''The Blade'']] referred to ''Knee Deep in the Hoopla'' as the "quagmire of the commercial music market", describing the songs on it as "flashy and toothless," and concluding that there was no vision from the people who "should have some."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ford |first=Tom |date=1985-12-07 |title=New Starship Release Is Slick, But It Lacks Vision |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pw1PAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA52 |access-date=2024-10-04 |work=The Blade |pages=3}}</ref>

In April 1986, ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' said that "Mickey Thomas' sensational lead vocal" kept "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" "aloft with exhilerating{{Sic}} sonic flight," adding that the track, backed by "searing rock guitars and a churning rhythm," sliced "like a double bladed sword."<ref name="cb">{{cite magazine |date=1985-04-05 |title=Single Releases |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1986/CB-1986-04-05.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120132327/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1986/CB-1986-04-05.pdf |archive-date=2022-01-20 |magazine=Cash Box |page=10 |volume=XLIX |issue=42 |accessdate=2022-08-04}}</ref> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' called it "exemplary American [[album oriented rock|AOR]] of the '80s, interrupted only by an ethereal [[bridge (music)|bridge]]."<ref>{{cite magazine |date=1986-04-05 |title=Pop - Picks |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_CQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT74 |access-date=2024-10-04 |magazine=Billboard |page=71 |volume=98 |issue=14}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{Track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Side one
| headline = Side one
| title1 = [[We Built This City]]
| title1 = [[We Built This City]]
| writer1 = [[Bernie Taupin]], [[Martin Page]], Dennis Lambert, [[Peter Wolf (producer)|Peter Wolf]]
| writer1 = {{hlist|[[Bernie Taupin]]|[[Martin Page]]|[[Dennis Lambert]]|[[Peter Wolf (producer)|Peter Wolf]]}}
| length1 = 4:53
| length1 = 4:53
| title2 = [[Sara (Starship song)|Sara]]
| title2 = [[Sara (Starship song)|Sara]]
| writer2 = Ina Wolf, P. Wolf
| writer2 = {{hlist|[[Ina Wolf]]|P. Wolf}}
| length2 = 4:48
| length2 = 4:48
| title3 = Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight
| title3 = Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight
| writer3 = Steven Cristol, Robin Randall
| writer3 = {{hlist|Steven Cristol|Robin Randall}}
| length3 = 3:41
| length3 = 3:41
| title4 = Rock Myself to Sleep
| title4 = Rock Myself to Sleep
| writer4 = [[Kimberley Rew]], [[Katrina and the Waves|Vince De la Cruz]]
| writer4 = {{hlist|[[Kimberley Rew]]|Vince de la Cruz}}
| length4 = 3:24
| length4 = 3:24
| title5 = Desperate Heart
| title5 = Desperate Heart
| writer5 = [[Randy Goodrum]], [[Michael Bolton]]
| writer5 = {{hlist|[[Randy Goodrum]]|[[Michael Bolton]]}}
| length5 = 4:04
| length5 = 4:04
}}
}}
{{Track listing
{{Tracklist
| headline = Side two
| headline = Side two
| total_length = 40:28
| title6 = Private Room
| title1 = Private Room
| writer6 = [[Craig Chaquico]], [[Mickey Thomas (singer)|Mickey Thomas]]
| length6 = 4:51
| length1 = 4:51
| writer1 = {{hlist|[[Craig Chaquico]]|[[Mickey Thomas (singer)|Mickey Thomas]]}}
| title7 = Before I Go
| writer7 = David Roberts
| title2 = Before I Go
| length7 = 5:30
| length2 = 5:11
| title8 = Hearts of the World (Will Understand)
| writer2 = David Roberts
| writer8 = Stephen Broughton Lunt, Arthur Stead
| title3 = Hearts of the World (Will Understand)
| length8 = 4:21
| length3 = 4:21
| title9 = Love Rusts
| writer3 = {{hlist|Stephen Broughton Lunt|Arthur Stead}}
| writer9 = Taupin, Page
| title4 = Love Rusts
| length9 = 4:57
| length4 = 4:57
| writer4 = {{hlist|Taupin|Page}}
}}
}}

{{tracklist
{{Track listing
| collapsed = yes
| headline = Remastered CD bonus track
| headline = Remastered CD bonus track
| title10 = Casualty
| title1 = Casualty
| note10 =
| length1 = 4:34
| writer10 = P. Wolf, Jeremy Smith
| writer1 = {{hlist|P. Wolf|Jeremy Smith}}
| length10 = 4:34
}}
}}


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
Adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref name=":6">{{Cite AV media notes|id=FL85488|title=Knee Deep In The Hoopla|year=1985|type=liner notes|publisher=Grunt}}</ref>
* [[Mickey Thomas (singer)|Mickey Thomas]] – lead (1-3, 5-7, 9) and backing (1, 4, 8, 9) vocals
* [[Grace Slick]] – lead (1, 4, 8, 9) and backing (1-3, 5-7, 9) vocals
* [[Craig Chaquico]] – guitar (all tracks), backing vocals (2, 7, 9)
* [[Pete Sears]] – bass guitar (1, 4-7) synth bass (2, 3, 8, 9), backing vocals (2, 5, 7, 9)
* [[Donny Baldwin]] – electronic drums (1-3, 6, 8, 9), drums (4, 5, 7), backing vocals (1-3, 5, 7, 9)


'''Starship'''
;Additional personnel
* [[Peter Wolf (producer)|Peter Wolf]] – keyboards, synthesizers (all tracks)
* [[Mickey Thomas (singer)|Mickey Thomas]] – lead (1-3, 5-7, 9), backing vocals (1, 4, 8, 9)
* [[Les Garland]] – [[Disc jockey|DJ]] voice (1)
* [[Grace Slick]] – lead (1, 4, 8, 9), backing vocals (1, 2, 5, 6, 9)
* [[Peter Beckett]], J. C. Crowley, [[Siedah Garrett]] and Ina Wolf – backing vocals (3)
* [[Craig Chaquico]] guitars, backing vocals (5-7)
* [[Simon Climie]], Lorraine Devon, [[Phillip Ingram]], [[Martin Page]], Chris Sutton and [[Oren Waters]] – backing vocals (9)
* [[Pete Sears]] bass guitar, synth bass, backing vocals (5-7)
* [[Kevin Dubrow]] – backing vocals on (4)
* [[Donny Baldwin]] – drums, electronic drums, backing vocals (1, 5-8)
{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}
* Dave Jenkins – backing vocals (5)
'''Additional musicians'''

* [[Peter Wolf (producer)|Peter Wolf]] – keyboards, electronics
;Production
* [[Kevin DuBrow]] – additional vocals (on "Rock Myself to Sleep")
* Dave Jenkins – additional background vocals (on "Desperate Heart")
* [[Peter Beckett]], J. C. Crowley, [[Siedah Garrett]], Ina Wolf – additional background vocals (on "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight")
* [[Les Garland]] – [[Disc jockey|DJ]] voice (on "We Built This City"){{col-2}}
'''''Love Rusts'' additional background vocals'''
* [[Peter Beckett]]
* [[Simon Climie]]
* J. C. Crowley
* Lorraine Devon
* [[Siedah Garrett]]
* [[Phillip Ingram]]
* [[Martin Page]]
* Chris Sutton
* [[Oren Waters]]
* [[Ina Wolf]]{{col-end}}{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}
'''Production'''
* Peter Wolf – [[Record producer|producer]], [[arrangement]]s
* Peter Wolf – [[Record producer|producer]], [[arrangement]]s
* Jeremy Smith – producer, [[Audio engineer|engineer]]
* Jeremy Smith – producer, [[Audio engineer|engineer]]
* Paul Ericksen, Dana Chappelle, David Luke, Maureen Droney – assistant engineers
* Dennis Lambert – executive producer
* Tom Size – additional engineering
* [[Stephen Marcussen]] – mastering (at Precision Laquer, [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]])
* [[Dennis Lambert]] – executive producer
* Skip Johnson – production coordinator
* Skip Johnson – production coordinator
* Bill Thompson – manager
* Bill Thompson – manager
* [[Bill Bottrell]] – [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing engineer]] (1)
* [[Bill Bottrell]] – mixing (on "We Built This City")
* Tom Size – additional engineering
* Paul Ericksen, Dana Chappelle, David Luke, Maureen Droney – assistant engineers.
* [[Stephen Marcussen]] – mastering engineer
* Raess Design (Ted Raess) – art, design
* Raess Design (Ted Raess) – art, design
* Bill Robbins – photography
* Bill Robins – photography{{col-2}}
'''Assistant engineers'''
* Recorded at The Plant Studios (Sausalito, CA); The Music Grinder (Los Angeles, CA).
* Paul Ericksen
* Mixed at Fantasy Studios (Berkeley, CA).
* Dana Chappelle
* "We Built This City" re-mixed at The Soundcastle, L. A.
* David Luke
* Mastered at Precision Lacquer (Los Angeles).
* Maureen Droney {{col-end}}'''Starship crew'''


* Bill Laudner
==Singles==
* Eric Van Soest
*"We Built This City" (1985)
* Skip Johnson
*"Sara" (1986)
* Mark Haynes
*"Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" (1986)
* Jim Robison
*"Before I Go" (1986)
* Bruce Maglione
* Zeke Clark
* Billy Goodman
* Geoff Grace
* Mike Fischer
* Nadine Condon – office staff
* Linda Lalli – office staff
* Jacky Sarti – office staff


==Charts==
==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{| class="wikitable"
{{col-2}}
!Chart (1985/86)

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
!Chart (1985–1986)
!Peak<br>position
!Peak<br>position
|-
|-
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=291}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=291}}</ref>
|align="center"|34
|align="center"|34
|-
|-
{{album chart|Canada|16|chartid=0617|artist=Starship|album=Knee Deep in the Hoopla|refname=CAN1|rowheader=true|access-date=March 25, 2024}}
|US [[Billboard 200]]
|-
|align="center"|7
{{album chart|Netherlands|65|artist=Starship|album=Knee Deep in the Hoopla|rowheader=true|access-date=March 25, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|45|id=355|artist=Starship|album=Knee Deep in the Hoopla|rowheader=true|access-date=March 25, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|43|artist=Starship|album=Knee Deep in the Hoopla|rowheader=true|access-date=March 25, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|22|artist=Starship|album=Knee Deep in the Hoopla|rowheader=true|access-date=March 25, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|29|artist=Starship|album=Knee Deep in the Hoopla|rowheader=true|access-date=March 25, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|7|artist=Starship|rowheader=true|access-date=March 25, 2024}}
|}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!Chart (1986)
!Position
|-
{{album chart|Canada|78|chartid=0618|artist=Starship|album=Knee Deep in the Hoopla|refname=CAN2|rowheader=true|access-date=March 25, 2024}}
|-
!scope="row"|US ''[[Billboard 200]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1986/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1986|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=July 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707233531/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1986/top-billboard-200-albums|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|13
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=Starship|title=Knee Deep in the Hoopla|award=Platinum|certyear=1986|relyear=1985}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Starship|title=Knee Deep in the Hoopla|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=1985|certyear=1985}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}


==References==
==References==
Line 165: Line 229:


* {{Discogs master|82697}}
* {{Discogs master|82697}}
* [http://articles.latimes.com/1986-03-16/entertainment/ca-26313_1_jefferson-starship ''Starship: Too Old to Rock?''], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
* [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-03-16-ca-26313-story.html ''Starship: Too Old to Rock?''], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''


{{Jefferson Airplane}}
{{Jefferson Airplane}}
Line 175: Line 239:
[[Category:RCA Records albums]]
[[Category:RCA Records albums]]
[[Category:Starship (band) albums]]
[[Category:Starship (band) albums]]
[[Category:albums produced by Peter Wolf]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Peter Wolf (producer)]]

Latest revision as of 18:42, 21 December 2024

Knee Deep in the Hoopla
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 12, 1985
Recorded1984−1985
Studio
GenreAOR, pop rock
Length40:28
LabelGrunt/RCA
Producer
Starship chronology
Knee Deep in the Hoopla
(1985)
No Protection
(1987)
Singles from Knee Deep in the Hoopla
  1. "We Built This City"
    Released: August 26, 1985[1][2]
  2. "Sara"
    Released: December 1985
  3. "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight"
    Released: April 1986
  4. "Before I Go"
    Released: June 1986[3]

Knee Deep in the Hoopla is the debut album by American AOR band Starship, the succeeding musical project to Jefferson Starship. It was released on September 12, 1985, by RCA and Grunt,[4] with four singles: the No. 1 hits "We Built This City" and "Sara", "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" (No. 26) and "Before I Go" (No. 68).[5]

Background

[edit]

In May 1984, Jefferson Starship released Nuclear Furniture.[6] Paul Kantner, one of the band's founding members, left shortly after, criticizing the group's tilt toward commercial rock.[7] In October, he sough to dissolve the band and sued his former bandmates over the ownership of its name.[7] The lawsuit was settled in March 1985 with the agreement that the "Jefferson Starship" name would be retired by the group in favor of "Starship", a name now owned by singer Grace Slick and manager Bill Thompson.[7]

Shortly after the new group's creation, David Freiberg (another Jefferson Starship founding member) departed as well. For the band's debut album, the lineup was reduced to a quintet consisting of singer Grace Slick, co-lead singer Mickey Thomas, guitarist Craig Chaquico, bassist Pete Sears, and drummer Donny Baldwin.[7]

Recording and production

[edit]

Peter Wolf, who had worked on Nuclear Furniture, was hired to produce Knee Deep in the Hoopla. As the band sought a new, radio relevant sound, Wolf brought novel recording techniques. Among these was the use of the Synclavier, which guitarist Craig Chaquico later described as "cutting edge," adding that despite the changes, the group did not feel like they were "selling out," but rather felt like "they were trying to land a man on the moon."[8] However, short-term member David Freiberg recalled in a 1997 interview that one of the reasons for his departure was that in the studio "nobody in the band was playing anything" as it was all about "producing" and "hot stuff keyboard players."[9]

For the album, Wolf also sourced material from a wide variety of outside songwriters, which was said to have made the group more "unified and focused".[10][11] This was an important change from the old lineup's previous albums, as the songs were primarily written by its members.[12] "We Built This City" was the first product from these new recording efforts and the album's lead single.[7] Originally written by Bernie Taupin (lyricist known for his work with Elton John) and Martin Page, the track was further developed by Wolf and co-producers Dennis Lambert and Jeremy Smith.[13][14] The album's title was taken from one of the song's lyrics: "Knee deep in the hoopla, sinking in your fight".[15][16] The second single, "Sara", was a ballad written by Wolf and his wife, Ina Wolf, and named after Mickey Thomas' then-wife.[7][13] Both of these songs reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[7][13]

The track "Desperate Heart", written by Michael Bolton and Randy Goodrum, also appeared on Bolton's album Everybody's Crazy, released earlier that year in March. "Rock Myself to Sleep" was written by Katrina and the Waves members Kimberley Rew and Vince de la Cruz and featured additional vocals by Quiet Riot's Kevin DuBrow.[17] The album's closing track, "Love Rusts", also written by Page and Taupin, featured additional background vocals by artists like Peter Beckett (from Player), Simon Climie (later of Climie Fisher fame), and Siedah Garrett.[17] The only song on the record written by any of the band's members was "Private Room", penned by vocalist Mickey Thomas and guitarist Craig Chaquico.[11] The music video for the album's third single, "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" was directed by Francis Delia (director of the videos for "Sara" and "We Built This City") and shot in a converted warehouse located in downtown Los Angeles.[18] The set was designed by Waldemar Kalinoswky.[18]

Two songs sung by Grace Slick were recorded for but left off the album: Slick's own "Do You Remember Me?" (released on The Best of Grace Slick) and the Peter Wolf–Jeremy Smith composition "Casualty" (included as a bonus track on the remastered 1999 CD edition of the album). Pete Sears and his wife, Jeannette, wrote a song for the album titled "One More Innocent", which was rejected due to its political lyrics.[19][20]

In November 1985, Billboard reported that Slick characterized the sound on the album as "cleaner, more crisp", while Thomas called it "more current, and more focused."[10] In September, the publication also wrote that the album had been "tentatively titled 'Another American Dream Goes Berserk'."[21]

Reflecting on the creation of Knee Deep in the Hoopla, vocalist Mickey Thomas would later say that:

"[with the album] we definitely made a conscious effort to sort of redefine ourselves and say: 'Let’s go in and try to do a completely different approach to music. Let’s use a different method. Let’s try to have a couple of hit singles. Let’s just go for it'."[22]

Release

[edit]

Knee Deep in the Hoopla was released on September 10, 1985, through RCA and Grunt. Four singles were released from the album, which all charted on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart: the No. 1 hits "We Built This City" and "Sara", the No. 26 hit "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" (peaked at No. 26), and the No. 68 "Before I Go".[5] Knee Deep in the Hoopla was certified platinum by the RIAA on 27 December 1985.[23]

On 22 September 2023, Knee Deep in the Hoopla was reissued as part of the limited-edition "Rhino Reds" series, launched in celebration of Rhino's 45th anniversary.[24][25] The album was pressed on translucent red vinyl at Third Man and mastered by Jeff Powell.[24][26] This release also included "Casualty" as a bonus track and was accompanied by a bonus 7" single featuring "We Built This City" and "Private Room".[24][26]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[27]
Melodic[28]

Joseph McCombs of AllMusic retrospectively described Knee Deep in the Hoopla as the Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship project's "most overtly commercial effort to date."[29] He noted that the album's songs "are pleasant but lightweight" and that while they "are less than memorable, they are very tuneful and melodic."[29] McCombs highlighted "Love Rusts" as the standout cut.[29]

On 7 September 1985, Cashbox stated that "We Built This City" was a "must-add," describing it as an "ear-catching" and "bouncy" song that was "dance rock with sharp hooks" for Contemporary hits radio.[30] On September 21, the magazine said that Knee Deep in the Hoopla was "rich in commercial potential and musical satisfaction," observing that it placed emphasis on "melodic, pop songwriting" and the "vocal interplay" of Slick and Thomas.[31] On the same day, Billboard noted that with the album, the band took their "techno-rock swing" to a "more decisive stance," describing the makeover as a shift toward the "mainstream '80s."[32]

In November 1985, Stephen Holden of The New York Times said that the album, as a ''compendium of strutting pop-rock cliches," represented everything Jefferson Airplane stood against: "conformity, conservatism and a slavish adherence to formula."[33] That same month, People argued that "although the producers give Starship’s music some punch," it was like trying to "resuscitate a pork chop".[34] They considered "We Built This City" a tease "with nice keyboards by Wolf", and described the rest of the album as "weary hackwork."[34] Some days later, Associated Press writer Larry Kilman described "We Built this City" as a "short and snappy" song that, with a catchy chorus, was made for radio play.[35] He found the album to be "uneven," noting that "listeners drawn to it by 'We Built the City' [sic] will enjoy 'Hearts of the World' but little else."[35] Kilman also singled out "Love Rusts", calling it the second-best song on the record.[35] In December, Tom Ford of The Blade referred to Knee Deep in the Hoopla as the "quagmire of the commercial music market", describing the songs on it as "flashy and toothless," and concluding that there was no vision from the people who "should have some."[36]

In April 1986, Cashbox said that "Mickey Thomas' sensational lead vocal" kept "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" "aloft with exhilerating [sic] sonic flight," adding that the track, backed by "searing rock guitars and a churning rhythm," sliced "like a double bladed sword."[37] Billboard called it "exemplary American AOR of the '80s, interrupted only by an ethereal bridge."[38]

Track listing

[edit]
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We Built This City"4:53
2."Sara"
4:48
3."Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight"
  • Steven Cristol
  • Robin Randall
3:41
4."Rock Myself to Sleep"
3:24
5."Desperate Heart"4:04
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Private Room"4:51
2."Before I Go"David Roberts5:11
3."Hearts of the World (Will Understand)"
  • Stephen Broughton Lunt
  • Arthur Stead
4:21
4."Love Rusts"
  • Taupin
  • Page
4:57
Total length:40:28
Remastered CD bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Casualty"
  • P. Wolf
  • Jeremy Smith
4:34

Personnel

[edit]

Adapted from the album's liner notes.[17]

Starship

  • Mickey Thomas – lead (1-3, 5-7, 9), backing vocals (1, 4, 8, 9)
  • Grace Slick – lead (1, 4, 8, 9), backing vocals (1, 2, 5, 6, 9)
  • Craig Chaquico – guitars, backing vocals (5-7)
  • Pete Sears – bass guitar, synth bass, backing vocals (5-7)
  • Donny Baldwin – drums, electronic drums, backing vocals (1, 5-8)

Starship crew

  • Bill Laudner
  • Eric Van Soest
  • Skip Johnson
  • Mark Haynes
  • Jim Robison
  • Bruce Maglione
  • Zeke Clark
  • Billy Goodman
  • Geoff Grace
  • Mike Fischer
  • Nadine Condon – office staff
  • Linda Lalli – office staff
  • Jacky Sarti – office staff

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[49] Platinum 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[50] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "FMQB" (PDF). p. 30.
  2. ^ RIAA Gold and Platinum Database
  3. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Canongate Press. p. 430. ISBN 9780862415419.
  4. ^ Hard, Bill, ed. (September 6, 1985). Friday Morning Quarterback (PDF). Kal Rudman. p. 25.
  5. ^ a b "Starship". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Jefferson Starship". AllMusic. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Ruhlmann, William. "Starship". AllMusic. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  8. ^ Tannenbaum, Rob (August 31, 2016). "We Built This S#!tty: An Oral History of the Worst Song of All Time". GQ. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Barthel, John (September 4, 1997). "David Freiberg Interview". Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2024. Well, because they want me in, and I didn't want to be there because they were doing 'We Built This City' and all. It was at the point where they were going to the studio, and nobody in the band was playing anything. Maybe if they needed a guitar… Craig would play it. It was all producing and it was all hot stuff keyboard players and that is what I was basically playing with them…you know…and that wasn't me. Why have me around? Why should I be around?
  10. ^ a b McDonough, Jack (November 2, 1985). "New Starship: 'Cleaner, More Focused'". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 44. p. 47. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Giles, Jeff (August 15, 2014). "How Jefferson Airplane Ultimately Became Starship". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  12. ^ McShane, Larry (February 4, 1986). "Starship sails ahead despite critics' barbs". The Day. pp. C3. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Fielder, Hugh (December 9, 2023). ""Grace was three sheets to the wind, so Marty sang to her while holding her in an arm-lock so she couldn't get away": the epic, drunken and very crazy story of Jefferson Starship". louder. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  14. ^ Dellar, Fred (May 13, 2022). "MOJO Time Machine: The Starship Takes Off!". Mojo. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  15. ^ "Deep Dive: Starship, WE BUILT THIS CITY". Rhino. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  16. ^ Starship (December 12, 2018). We Built This City (Video). Retrieved September 23, 2024 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ a b c Knee Deep In The Hoopla (liner notes). Grunt. 1985. FL85488.
  18. ^ a b "Video Track". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 14. April 5, 1985. p. 54. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  19. ^ Sears, Pete. "1985. "Knee Deep in the Hoopla"". PETE SEARS. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  20. ^ Sears, Jeannette (January 3, 2012). "We Built This City". Jeannette Sears. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  21. ^ Grein, Paul (September 7, 1985). "Wonder's 'Circle' Album Finally Ready" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 36. p. 4. Retrieved October 4, 2024 – via World Radio History.
  22. ^ DeRiso, Nick (July 4, 2013). "Mickey Thomas, on Jefferson Starship's transformation into Starship: Something Else! Interview". Something Else!. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  23. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c "Rhino Records Celebrates 45 Years with the RHINO REDS Vinyl Series". Rhino. July 28, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  25. ^ Rogers, Becky (July 31, 2023). "Rhino celebrate 45th anniversary with limited-edition reissue series". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Knee Deep In The Hoopla + Bonus 7" (Rhino Red Vinyl)". Rhino. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  27. ^ McCombs, Joseph. "Knee Deep in the Hoopla – Starship | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  28. ^ Gutierrez, Virginia (February 11, 2019). "Starship - Knee Deep In The Hoopla". Melodic. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  29. ^ a b c McCombs, Joseph. "Knee Deep in the Hoopla". AllMusic. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  30. ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. XLIX, no. 13. September 7, 1985. p. 9. Retrieved October 4, 2024 – via World Radio History.
  31. ^ "Album Releases" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. XLIX, no. 14. September 21, 1985. p. 8. Retrieved October 4, 2024 – via World Radio History.
  32. ^ "Pop - Picks" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 38. September 21, 1985. p. 62. Retrieved October 4, 2024 – via World Radio History.
  33. ^ Holden, Stephen (November 27, 1985). "The Pop Life: Sade's 2d Album, a Refined Fusion". The New York Times. p. 24.
  34. ^ a b People Staff (November 11, 1985). "Picks and Pans Review: Knee Deep in the Hoopla". People. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  35. ^ a b c Kilman, Larry (November 23, 1985). "Starship is a band in search of an image". The Free Lance-Star. p. 17. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  36. ^ Ford, Tom (December 7, 1985). "New Starship Release Is Slick, But It Lacks Vision". The Blade. p. 3. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  37. ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XLIX, no. 42. April 5, 1985. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  38. ^ "Pop - Picks". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 14. April 5, 1986. p. 71. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
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