Life for the Taking

Life for the Taking is the second studio album by American rock musician Eddie Money. It was recorded in 1978, and released in January 1979 on manager Bill Graham's Wolfgang imprint via Columbia Records. The album includes the singles "Can't Keep A Good Man Down" and "Maybe I'm A Fool."

Life for the Taking
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 1979
Recorded1978
GenreRock, pop rock
Length40:23
LabelWolfgang, Columbia
ProducerBruce Botnick
Eddie Money chronology
Eddie Money
(1977)
Life for the Taking
(1979)
Playing for Keeps
(1980)
Singles from Life for the Taking
  1. "Maybe I'm a Fool"
    Released: January 1979
  2. "Can't Keep a Good Man Down"
    Released: 1979
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

With Money seemingly endlessly on the road promoting his previous debut album, this effort was primarily written in hotel rooms with a variety of band members and worked up during sound checks prior to performances. The final track, "Call On Me" was often interjected into the set lists prior to the release of this album and received a strong response in spite of its more soulful, less frantic composure.

This album also marked a conscious effort to expand Money's audience with the inclusion of several more pop and dance oriented numbers. This direction would continue to be expanded upon with the subsequent release Playing for Keeps. The album was met with less enthusiastic critical response than its predecessor with a number of the pundits citing a weakness of quality songwriting and the inconsistency of style as pitfalls.

Money resumed his frantic promotion and touring schedule upon the release of this album. The cover shot plays on a rendition of the artist mocking his debut album artwork but with an obvious worn and tired appearance.

As with the previous release, both singles were issued in promotion only edited versions, while the retail releases featured tracks from the album as B-sides. By now, the artist was headlining mid sized venues and a number of the dates featured the then up-and-coming Pat Benatar as support.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Life for the Taking"Eddie Money4:45
2."Can't Keep a Good Man Down"Money, Dan Alexander, Chris Solberg3:37
3."Nightmare"Money, James Lyon4:22
4."Gimme Some Water"Money3:38
5."Rock and Roll the Place"Money, Lyon3:04
6."Maybe I'm a Fool"Money, Lloyd Chiate, Lee Garrett, Robert Taylor3:04
7."Love the Way You Love Me"Money, Steve Howard3:37
8."Maureen"Money, Ernie Makaway, Chiate, Solberg3:35
9."Nobody"Money, Lyon4:40
10."Call On Me"Jeremy Storch, Money6:01
Total length:40:23

Personnel

Musicians
  • Jesse Bradman – piano
  • Lloyd Chaite – guitar
  • Dave Danza – drums
  • Nicky Hopkins – keyboards, piano
  • David Lindley – guitar
  • Jimmy Lyon – guitar
  • Gary Mallaber – drums
  • Eddie Money – harmonica, keyboards, piano, saxophone, vocals
  • Randy Nichols – keyboards, organ, synthesizer, vocals, background vocals
  • Alan Pasqua – keyboards, piano
  • Greg Phillinganes – keyboards, piano
  • Steve Porcarosynthesizer, background vocals
  • Lonnie Rutner – bass
  • Tom Scott – horn, saxophone
  • Tim Sheridan – bass
  • Lonnie Turner – bass
  • Darrell Verdusco – background vocals
  • John Whitney – guitar
  • Angela Winbush – background vocals
Production
  • Produced By Bruce Botnick (for Wolfgang Productions)
  • Engineered By Andy Johns & Rik Pekkonen
  • Mixed By Andy Johns
  • Mastered By Wally Traugott

Charts

Chart (1979) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[2] 17

References

  1. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Life for the Taking - Eddie Money". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
  2. "Eddie Money Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
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