Right Away
Right Away is a song by American rock band Kansas, released in 1982 as the second single from their eighth studio album, Vinyl Confessions. Written by lead vocalist John Elefante and his brother Dino Elefante, the track marked a stylistic shift toward a more radio-friendly adult-oriented rock (AOR) sound. The song received modest radio airplay and charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
Background and Composition
Following the departure of Steve Walsh in 1981, Kansas recruited John Elefante as his replacement. "Right Away" was among the first songs Elefante contributed to the band, showcasing a blend of arena rock and adult-oriented rock (AOR) elements. The song features prominent keyboard arrangements and melodic hooks, aligning with the early 1980s rock trends.
Release and Reception
Released as a single in 1982, "Right Away" achieved moderate success on the charts. It peaked at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 33 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.[1]
Critical reception was mixed. While some appreciated the band's venture into a more accessible sound, others felt the track lacked the progressive complexity of Kansas's earlier work. A review from Angelic Warlord noted that "Right Away" leaned heavily into 1980s AOR influences, resulting in a composition that felt "trite" and "almost contrived," suggesting it was one of the weaker tracks on Vinyl Confessions.[2] Other reviewers called the lyric "disjointed" and "amateurish", noting that Walsh's boy-girl songs from their 1980 album Audiovisions "Anything for You" and "Back Door" were far more mature.[citation needed]
Personnel
- John Elefante – lead vocals, keyboards
- Kerry Livgren – guitars, keyboards
- Rich Williams – guitars
- Dave Hope – bass
- Phil Ehart – drums
- Robby Steinhardt – violin, backing vocals
Charts
| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 73 |
| US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 33 |
References
- ↑ "Kansas Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ↑ Rockwell, Andrew. "Kansas – Vinyl Confessions". Angelic Warlord. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
External links
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