Single Stories: Gary Wright, “Love Is Alive”

41 years ago this month, Gary Wright released the second single from his 1976 album THE DREAM WEAVER, a song which hasn’t gotten nearly as much love from radio as the album’s title track. Maybe that’s because of all the exposure that “Dream Weaver” got from its usage in Wayne’s World, maybe it’s not, but it seems pretty uncool either way, especially when you consider that both songs actually hit the same spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

What those who weren’t around at the time often forget, however, is that “Love is Alive” – which was both written and produced by Wright – was actually the first single released from THE DREAM WEAVER…and it was a big ol’ flop. It just absolutely stiffed. But after “Dream Weaver” came out and took the charts by storm, Warner Brothers reissued “Love Is Alive,” and – like “Dream Weaver” – it made it all the way to #2!

In fact, “Love Is Alive” actually ended up spending seven weeks longer on the Hot 100 than “Dream Weaver,” sticking around for 27 weeks in total. It also managed to make a very brief appearance on the R&B Singles chart, hitting #98 before falling back off. No, not what you’d call a dramatic showing, but it’s still something that “Dream Weaver” never managed!

If you find that you can’t quite recall how “Love Is Alive” goes, then this means that you have a perfect excuse to go back and listen to THE DREAM WEAVER. So go do it!