Don’t Renege on our Love: This song opens the album with a galloping burst of energetic drums and guitar that drives home a pleading lyric. Although not neccesarily the album’s peak, this is a strong track that focuses mostly around Richard’s distinctive vocals and guitar. This is probably the fastest-paced of all nine tracks.

Walking on a Wire: The vocals on this song are amazing. Linda Thompson belts out her pain and sorrows in this broken love song. In this song she wants to be free but he seems to ignore what she is trying to tell him. This song effectively portrays a doomed relationship. This song is a landmark Richard & Linda ballad which has become a concert favourite which both artists still play live.

Man in Need: Based around a loose shuffle rhythm and a lively Thompson vocal. The real treat here Linda’s backing vocal. It’s not for nothing that Linda is considered one of the greatest female vocalists in the world, and her shimmering voice rises above the chorus as if to prove it. The sprightly joy of the opening verses gradually morphs into a pleading cry for relief.

Just the Motion: Both hopeful and heartrending. It comes across like a lover singing their partner to sleep. With a soft, almost lullaby-like melody, this is the perfect song to close side one of the record. Linda’s vocals, complemented by Richard’s tender playing, are the definite highlight here. Her singing cuts to the emotional core of the song.

Shoot out the Lights: This is one to listen hard to. To this day, Richard rarely omits this one from his live set lists. An arresting showcase for his electric guitar playing, this song peaks with all of the intensity of being shocked by a live wire. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of isolation and loneliness, framed around a plodding two-chord riff and laced all over with the pinched high-treble sound of Richard’s unique guitar. The two guitar solos feature him at his most furious and emotional and are considered by many to be some of the finest ever recorded.

Back Street Slide: The only song on the album to feature a co-write by Linda Thompson, this one also ranks as my personal favourite (Tim). Lyrically, it’s a sharp retort to would-be gossipmongers and loose tongues. The music is just as sharp. Thompson weaves his pins-and-needles guitar in and out of a vaguely Celtic melody and, toward the end of the song, create one of the most memorable instrumental sections of the whole album.

Did She Jump or Was She Pushed?: This song is a morbid tale of a women’s death that is being questioned; is it a murder or a suicide? The story is of a woman who burns her own bridges and is double-crossed by everybody. This one’s a real downer. The grim minor-key melody give the Thompsons (with Linda singing lead) an excellent blueprint to display the more subtle nuances of their talents.

Wall of Death: This song comes on strong with a positive-sounding arrangement. However, as the song progresses it becomes more than just a jumpy pop song. If you just listen to the lyrics, you’ll probably find them depressing and bitter. A quick read of these and you’ll soon discover that this song is essentially a bitter rant wrapped around a catchy melody. A great song, nonetheless!

Living in Luxury: This song is sooo happy! It’s a nice cool bowl of ice cream compared to the the bitter medicine of the other selections on the album. The use of a horn section (uncommon to most Richard & Linda songs) really makes this one fly. The cresendoes in Richard’s voice give it a jovial, fun feel. For whatever reason, this song was left off the album, even though it’s the only truly ‘happy’ song of the bunch, no?