Mirage at 40

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Hey, Empire State is GOLD, in my book. I realize it's only in my book, but I love that song. IDK why everyone hates it so much. It's cute, and it rocks. I love it.

I'll be okay on my island, having it in it's regular rotation!

Your island and my island are connected by a bridge called Law and Order. Empire State could have fit easily on that fantastic solo album. On Mirage, it’s a weird yet welcome up-tempo moment with a great guitar solo and a lovable chorus (those forty Lindseys doing their oohs and ahhs). I remember the reviewer for Rolling Stone affectionately referred to it as asinine. I would agree. A truly stupid, lovable song I rarely skip over.

Potentially Interesting Trivia: In tempo and (sort of) theme Buckingham’s “Empire State” resembles Welch’s “The City,” which was also about NYC. Whereas Welch mines fear and paranoia, Buckingham goes for goofball valentine. Both feature killer guitar solos and both open the second side of the fourth studio FM record each guitarist contributed to during their respective tenures.