What makes Player by Player notable?

The album features the hit single 'Baby Come Back,' which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, solidifying Player's presence in the soft rock genre. Its commercial success helped define the sound of late 1970s pop music and has influenced later artists within the soft rock movement. Released in 1977, Player's self-titled debut album came after the band formed in Los Angeles, capturing a moment when they sought to establish their identity in the competitive music scene. This record followed their initial formation in 1976 and showcased their blend of rock and pop influences, setting the stage for their future successes.

How many songs are on Player?

Player has 10 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Player

Player · 1977

38 min · 10 tracks · pop music

A polished blend of soft rock and pop, characterized by smooth harmonies and catchy melodies that define the era's sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Baby Come Back — This track stands out as Player's biggest hit, with its memorable chorus and heartfelt lyrics capturing themes of regret and longing.
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Tryin’ to Write a Hit Song — The song cleverly reflects on the challenges of songwriting while blending humor with a catchy melody, embodying the album's playful spirit.
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Every Which Way — With its infectious rhythm and romantic lyrics, this track showcases the band’s signature sound and emotional depth that resonates throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

Player's debut blends soft rock and pop with catchy melodies, highlighted by its hit single but lacks deeper exploration.

What we noticed

Several songs employ layered instrumentation, particularly in the choruses, which enhances the overall polished sound characteristic of the era.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Come On Out 3:43
2 Baby Come Back 4:10
3 Goodbye (That’s All I Ever Heard) 3:44
4 Melanie 3:39
5 Every Which Way 3:34
6 This Time I’m in It for Love 4:20
7 Love Is Where You Find It 4:00
8 Movin’ Up 2:50
9 Cancellation 4:07
10 Tryin’ to Write a Hit Song 4:36

What to play next

Listen next

Danger Zone

1978

Full Player discography Artists like Player

soft rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata