Gonna Be a Countdown: It Isn’t Gonna Be That Way
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (68888)
United States
November 11, 2023 10:11am CST
Happy Veterans Day to my fellow veterans. Thank you for your service. Salute! I’m moving on from two days in Biloxi, but not before giving you another song with “gonna” in the title. Here’s today’s song.
It Isn’t Gonna Be That Way - Steve Forbert
Another one that you don’t know. Well, let me tell you about Steve Forbert. He’s a great singer/songwriter. The problem is, when he released his first album (where this song is found) he got the kiss of death from critics: he was hailed as “the next Dylan.” Songwriters who get that tag are toast before they even get started.
Forbert had a big hit (his only hit) in the late 70s, “Romeo’s Tune” (not known by that title, since it isn’t in the lyrics of the song…you probably know the line, “Meet me in the middle of the day, let me hear you say everything’s okay”).
This is from his first album, the one that got him the “next Dylan” tag. Great song, great album…forgotten artist. That’s a shame.
It Isn’t Gonna Be That Way
Written by Steve Forbert
Recorded by Steve Forbert
From Alive on Arrival, 1978
Follow the course you’ve made in your mind:
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12 people like this
10 responses
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
12 Nov 23
This one “bombed” as a single. Next year, “Romeo’s Tune” was a hit and everybody loved him. Six months later, singles were bombing again.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92404)
• United States
14 Nov 23
@FourWalls I am going to have to look up Romeo's Tune to see if I have heard it. I will let you know if makes one of my playlists on Spotify.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
14 Nov 23
@porwest — here it is for you and anyone else who thinks the name is familiar.
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1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
11 Nov 23
He sounds a little like a good-singing Rod Stewart. 
Thank you. My honor to serve.
Thank you. My honor to serve.2 people like this
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
12 Nov 23
@porwest — oh, I love some of his songs, too. My mom loved “Rhythm of My Heart.”
2 people like this
@porwest (92404)
• United States
12 Nov 23
@FourWalls Hey, I liked Rod Stewart. lol
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
11 Nov 23
Especially when they get such glowing reviews for their debut album!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181238)
• United States
12 Nov 23
I was surprised to hear that voice come out of that body. Thank you for your service. I hope you're enjoying your weekend.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
12 Nov 23
And he doesn’t talk like that, either.
Thank you. An honor to serve.
An honor to serve.1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
13 Nov 23
@FourWalls Well of course. I usually like most of the songs you share.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
11 Nov 23
Keep that theme handy for tomorrow. 
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
11 Nov 23
Thanks, my honor to serve.
A lot of people would go, “Oh, that song?” if they heard “Romeo’s Tune.” 1 person likes this
@Shortie861 (44)
• United Kingdom
11 Nov 23
I can't say I have heard of this one but I have heard of Steve Forbert, the name rings a bell for sure!
It seems like a lovely song though and one I will be checking out :)
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68888)
• United States
11 Nov 23
He’s known in the singer/songwriter circles, but not in “mainstream pop.”
